Recurrent Met to Liver

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Vickilg
Vickilg Member Posts: 281 Member
A small cancer spot has shown up on my liver. This is the second time it has happened. When my rectal stage iv cancer came back in January 2010, I had one spot on the liver that was surgically removed. This followed agressive chemo that ended in September. Now 4 months later, another spot has appeared.

They plan on doing a liver ablation next week with no chemo so that they can see if there are more spots waiting to come back. There is no sign of cancer any where else in my body. The theory is that the chemo supresses the cancer cells and the doctor wants to see if more spots show up. He wants to do the ablation to save me an additional surgery in case I need another resection.

The doctor said that this is still at a curable stage. But I have to say that I am scared, very scared. I have been fighting this since June 2009 and have been very positive the entire time but this time, even though they say its beatable, I am feeling depressed. My positive attitude is what has helped me, my family and friends get through this but I cannot even think of anything else right now. All I can think of is that I am going to dye from this.

I am sorry. I know this is depressing and everyone here is dealing with their own problems. I was just wondering if anyone has had the ablation before and what I should expect.

Comments

  • jasminsaba
    jasminsaba Member Posts: 157 Member
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    I am very sorry ...
    I am very sorry about your recurrence - I know it must be very VERY disappointing. You have every right to be upset, scared, anxious, downright depressed right now ... those are all perfectly valid human emotions and very well justified in light of what has happened.

    The good news and what I would encourage you to focus on is that your cancer is LIMITED and still very much curable. Sometimes it takes a few iterations to achieve full remission - I have a good friend who has gone through 2 liver resections and is finally 4 years NED from the second surgery.

    It's hard to be upbeat all the time when you're facing a difficult challenge ... but you've been there before, you've done it well, and you can do it again. I am rooting for you and praying for complete healing.

    It breaks my heart that in this day and age, when we can manage to have robots performing complicated surgeries, send men to moon and beyond, do heart transplants, face transplants, lung transplants, etc. ... we're stilling far from finding a cure for this crappy disease.

    Keep your chin up.
  • Kenny H.
    Kenny H. Member Posts: 502 Member
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    I am very sorry ...
    I am very sorry about your recurrence - I know it must be very VERY disappointing. You have every right to be upset, scared, anxious, downright depressed right now ... those are all perfectly valid human emotions and very well justified in light of what has happened.

    The good news and what I would encourage you to focus on is that your cancer is LIMITED and still very much curable. Sometimes it takes a few iterations to achieve full remission - I have a good friend who has gone through 2 liver resections and is finally 4 years NED from the second surgery.

    It's hard to be upbeat all the time when you're facing a difficult challenge ... but you've been there before, you've done it well, and you can do it again. I am rooting for you and praying for complete healing.

    It breaks my heart that in this day and age, when we can manage to have robots performing complicated surgeries, send men to moon and beyond, do heart transplants, face transplants, lung transplants, etc. ... we're stilling far from finding a cure for this crappy disease.

    Keep your chin up.

    Sad to read that, praying
    Sad to read that, praying with you. Mets suck.
  • rlridings
    rlridings Member Posts: 42
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    mets to liver -ablation
    here is some good info on ablation - http://www.cancercenter.com/liver-cancer/radiofrequency-ablation.cfm - I am going in for my third resection hopefully in April - indeed the good news is that it hasn't spread and if it takes them a few times to get it all that is fine - my surgeon says he has operated on one patient seven times
  • Vickilg
    Vickilg Member Posts: 281 Member
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    rlridings said:

    mets to liver -ablation
    here is some good info on ablation - http://www.cancercenter.com/liver-cancer/radiofrequency-ablation.cfm - I am going in for my third resection hopefully in April - indeed the good news is that it hasn't spread and if it takes them a few times to get it all that is fine - my surgeon says he has operated on one patient seven times

    Thank you....
    Thank you everyone... you have made me feel better. I appreciate you taking the time to respond. Much love!
  • Brenda Bricco
    Brenda Bricco Member Posts: 579 Member
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    Just keep going after it
    Just keep going after it until it finally gives up. Fear sneaks up on us all but just remember that you have people to talk too. ;)A saying I like is... Courage is fear that has said it's prayers. Saying a prayer for you now. :)
    Brenda
  • herdizziness
    herdizziness Member Posts: 3,624 Member
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    Liver
    Just a few weeks ago my onc was mentioning perhaps I am getting a reoccurance on liver mets, but he said if so, not to worry,, surgery can take it away again. He made me feel quite confident we could deal with it. So sitting, watching and waiting, looking good right now as the CEA went down .2 and so feeling better about it all.
    So I believe your onc about it still being curable, keep that positive attitude going, try not to let depression get you down.
    I can't help with knowing anything about ablation, but I know others can.
    Thinking of you and wishing the best,
    Winter Marie
  • Nana b
    Nana b Member Posts: 3,030 Member
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    Liver
    Just a few weeks ago my onc was mentioning perhaps I am getting a reoccurance on liver mets, but he said if so, not to worry,, surgery can take it away again. He made me feel quite confident we could deal with it. So sitting, watching and waiting, looking good right now as the CEA went down .2 and so feeling better about it all.
    So I believe your onc about it still being curable, keep that positive attitude going, try not to let depression get you down.
    I can't help with knowing anything about ablation, but I know others can.
    Thinking of you and wishing the best,
    Winter Marie

    Keep the great vibes going,
    Keep the great vibes going, they are what is really good for you! Hang in there!!
  • tootsie1
    tootsie1 Member Posts: 5,044 Member
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    Praying
    Praying this will be just a blip on the horizon.

    *hugs*
    Gail
  • ron50
    ron50 Member Posts: 1,723 Member
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    G'day Vicki
    Big hug from across the world ,got a feeling you will be fine,Ron.
  • Sonia32
    Sonia32 Member Posts: 1,071 Member
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    Hugs
    So sorry it's appeared again. Hope this new treatment will work, sending you prayers and good thoughts.