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  • #95416
    mbachini
    Moderator

    Wonderful survivor story Celia!

    #13585
    celia-capuzzi
    Spectator

    Hi, my name is Celia. This is my first posting although I have looked at the CCA website before. I was diagnosed 3 1/2 years ago with ICC. I had been experiencing mid-belly discomfort off and on for about six weeks and wondered if I had diverticulitis or IBS so I contacted my primary care physician and she ordered an ultrasound, then an CT scan. A cyst was viewed on my liver and I was referred to a surgeon. He thought it was nothing but did discuss what he would do if it was malignant. Like everyone else, I was scared. I had the surgery and woke up having had the right lobe of my liver removed. The borders were clear and I was told the prognosis was good. Then I looked online about ICC and saw that this type of cancer did not often have a good outcome. Next I had to decided whether to have chemo. The tumor board was divided on the issue; the oncologist I met with for the first time did not recommend it and he referred to my age (I was 71). That irritated me as I had come through the surgery with flying colors and was in good health otherwise. I decided to get a second opinion and went to Virginia Mason in Seattle. He said that even though there is controversy about getting chemo, he recommended it; that felt right to me. So I had 4 months (12 sessions) of cisplatin and gemzar. So far my follow-ups have been good. I had wonderful support from my husband, family and friends, but I do not know anyone else who has gone through this, so being part of this discussion will be good.

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