DIA FISH Early Diagnosis

My husband was diagnosed at Mayo through DNA and FISH analysis. I don’t pretend to understand it, but it is genetic testing on the cells to diagnose cancer. Very technical stuff. The FISH is an anacronym for Fluorescent in situ hybridization. Some microscopic technique for looking at DNA structures.

I wish Johns Hopkins had done this test a year earlier on him. When he was diagnosed with PSC, Hopkins told us cytology was negative, but the best testing was the DNA testing at Mayo. I foolishly thought that Hopkins was number one and a negative cytology was good enough to not travel 1500 miles.

Sadly, I fear we’re nearing the end of this awful disease and I can hardly write of the pain of watching my husband wither away.

Please keep us in your prayers.

Pam

Hi Kelly. My name is Dianne. My husband was diagnosed with CC in November 07. He has had PSC for 13 years. His CC was found during an ERCP to clear out a blockage in the bile duct. He had two episodes of cholangitis so the doctors figured there must be a blockage. While doing the ERCP, they also took biopsies which came back abnormal. He had another ERCP in Oct. 07 and again the biopsy results were abnormal. We then went to the Mayo in MN where they were able to make a clear diagnosis. He’s currently finishing up a round of chemo and radiation at the Mayo in MN. He happened to develop another bout of cholangitis while out there. He was hospitalized and they put a stent in and a drain as well. The drain is temporary but needed to clear another area of the bile duct.

We’re hoping to get him home in time for Christmas. My kids miss him terribly. They are 8 and 5 years old. This is a very tough time for everyone. I wish you and your husband all the luck in the world!!!

Dianne