CC and 9/11 heros

Hi, Loretta,
Are all the info about CT scan are the” exact wording” from the Ct scan reports under the “impression” section. if the answers are yes ,or unless some other diagnosis is involved; you can kindly tell your husband’s that he is actually not in that bad situation as you had mentioned in your first message. I think that is why it is a good thing for all the people who are just lurking on this web site to express their concern for their own special situation on this web site or other site to get at least an idea that is related more to their special situation.
first of all,Loretta,since I don’t have the medical info I needed from you, all my opinions are suggestions or speculation only.
1. Ascites is a symptoms only and not a disease,it can be managed by paracentesis as well as Lasix and Aldactone; at home just put up the feet on the table or chair to make him more comfortable.
2. Pulmonary embolism ,as you mentioned is now managed by Lovenox subcut injection twice a day. So that is good. Just make sure his Lab (INR is >/=2);you did not mention taking Warfarin but I am no doctor so I cannot command on that. Oxygen PRN is good but as you know,it is for asneeded use.
3. For some unknown reasons, 5FU or capcitabine works better for extra than intra bile duct CCA; therefore the switch may be of benefit to the peritoneal carcinomatosis as well;but as far as i know;at least in my sister-in-law’s situation using Gemzar+xeloda(an oral form of 5FU)+Avastin had an excellent result in decreasing the sizes of the carcinomatosis in the abdomen just after one cycle. Please remember each patient reacts to each regimen differently;so it may or may not apply to your husband’s situation;but at least the more you know ,the better you are in control.5Fu+oxaliplatin+leucovorin is on par with GEM/CIS for effectiveness but less toxic to the kidney,(please read the message about the comparison between 5FU and Gemcitabine ,CCA chemo agents and the systemic chemotherapy on this message board under the forum discussion of chemotherapy.
4. Base on the last CT scan, decrease dilatation in the liver is a good sign that may mean the blockage of the bile ducts in the liver is decreasing and the bile flows better as well. Decrease size or stable are always good “words” to hear.
Unless I miss other medical conditions that you have not listed; I really donot think your husband’s situation is as bad as what you had described earlier.
If you don’t mind, when your husband will have the CT scan tomorrow,and when the CT scan report is out you can quote the “impression” section for me to . If you think is you need privacy,you can email me thru this web site. and I will try to give you what I think. Remember I am no doctor;I am only a patient like your husband for 34 months now. Medical advise and 2nd opinion provided by medical specialists are most important to the wellware of a chronic disease patient but knowledge about the disease helps too.
Try to get him eats more poultry,soy products and nuts for protein and fruit and vegetable.
God bless.

Hi, Percy,

My husband had a CT scan 11/30/11, which showed new asictes with new mild omental infiltration which is most consistent with peritoneal carcinomatosis, mildly increased abdominal lymphadenopathy, increased calcified centeral hepatic mass and increased left biliary dilatation with stable moderate right biliary dilatation.

A follow-up CT scan was performed on 1/20/12, which showed increased smal to moderate ascites, decreased intrahepatic biliary dilatation, particularly in the right lobe, slightly decreased left adrenal nodule and decreased aortocaval lymph node otherwise stable abdominal lymphadenopathy.

He also underwent a CT angio of the chest on 2/22/12, which showed the pulomary embolism.

His chemo regimen was changed in December from Gemcitabine and Cisplatin to Leucovorin, Fluorouracil and Oxaliplatin. He hasn’t had chemo in over a month because of the two hospitalizations after the paracentesis was done 2/9/12. He was placed on Lovenox injections and oxygen prn for the blood clot. He also has a port, which was placed in February of 2011. Also, while in the hospital in February they started him on Aldactone. The fluid retention in his legs and feet has improved. His stomach is still distended, but not as bad as it was.

He is scheduled for another CT scan tomorrow at Sloan in Commack along with chemo. I think the chemo will be postponed, because he is so weak. I’ll know more tomorrow.

As far as radiation, it was mentioned briefly in the beginning. When I speak with the doctor, I will ask him about it.

Thank you for listening.

Hi,Loretta,

sorry to know about your husband’s situation.
I am a patient too. but if I may can I ask when was the last CAT scan done for your husband ? and what did the doctor said about the results of the CAT scan? Any chemo or radiation treatment currently your husband on?
Have you explore radiation treatment as an option? If you can ,try to get a 2nd opinion on the possibility of having treatment of radiation even when the CCA mets to the lymph nodes and the adrenal gland and chemotherapy is the choice of treatment .
Your husband is a tough guy; CCA is a slow but tough cancer that will make us,the patients,lost appetite and energy.Good luck
God bless

Peony….would you mind passing on a bit more information? Do you have the name of the study coordinator?
You may send it to me via my e-mail: marion.schwartz@cholangiocarcinoma.org

Thanks a bunch,
Keep on fighting.
Hugs
Marion

PEONY, can’t help on this one but I just want to say THANK YOU to your husband!