Hello everyone
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Hi again!
My dad is after his operation already – sounds like Patric’s case – the doctors removed all the tumor, about 50 or 60 percent of his liver, gallbladder, nearby lymph nodes which they believe are ok but only histological analysis will give us clearer results. To get a clear margin, a big part of my dad’s liver had to be removed.
The doctors said his state after the operation is usual. He is in intensive care unit and will be kept there for two days and then they will see if there is a need to keep him longer there.
Also, they said they didn’t see cancer spreading and I wish to hope my dad will be a survivor. Now the most important thing is post operation period, we’ll pray for it to be smooth.
Aiste,
Thinking of you and your family and hoping that all goes well with the surgery and you will have much good news to report.
Hugs,
DarlaLainy, these are very encouraging words to me, thank you for the support. I think I cannot change other people’s attitudes but we will never give up. My dad has always been afraid of hospitals though he has never been there before, just when visiting mum there he used to worry about her and used to share his fear with us but now he is so strong that we are discovering him anew – he turned out to be a very strong and humorous guy! We know he is good, caring but have never expected such humour and strength from him. It was the best time to tell him how we all love him – he never considered words to be important but now he does. Mum has lots of untold words to tell him she says, they’ll have time for that. She has always been taken care of now she must be the one who must take care.
I believe our family will get even closer together.
I’ll come back to the forum after my sister speaks to her colleagues after the operation, We’ll know more about the exact stage of the illness I guess, I’ll know much more in the evening.
Aiste,
Welcome to this site, I am so glad you found it, and I am so glad it is helpful to you! There are some amazing people here. I just wanted you to know that I am sending good thoughts and prayers your way for a successful surgery today for your father, and a speedy recovery. Keep up the good attitude, stay positive and just take it all day by day. You sound like an amazing daughter and I am sure your father is very grateful to have you by his side. Sending hugs your way!
MelindaHi, Aiste, glad we heard from you today. As for annoying people who mean well but cannot imagine what you and your family are going through I did the following. In the very beginning of Teddy’s CC I made the decision that the most important things would be attitude and strength. I would NOT allow anyone to tear down the strength or wear us down in any way. What I did was to let all family and friends know that I would send out a nightly mass email telling them how Teddy was that day. I also let them know that I had to apply all my strength mentally and physically to take care of him and guess what? Not one person ever asked my why this or why that or offered advice. It made it all so much easier. They realized at the onset that they knew nothing of CC and left it all up to me, which eased up everything. I am so happy that Dad wants to talk about everything as that is a great sign of an amazing attitude.
We don’t listen to statistics as none of us were born with expiration dates printed on our feet and we do have HOPE and MIRACLES from many members. Looking forward to hearing of Dad’s progress!Dear everyone,
Today is a very tough day for our family as my father’s operation’s begun. I’ll inform you how it all worked after and I do hope everything will be as good as possible in this difficult situation.
Thanks for sharing your stories, it sure helps a lot. Yesterday I spent much time with dad and kept telling him other people’s experiences. Seems it made him feel less worried.
I wish you all or your loved ones to get better too.
Your support means a lot to me and my family. I’d also like to be supportive to those who need to be encouraged, I’ll keep sharing the story of my dad which I hope will be successful. I’ve realised there’s no need to give up in the tough situations, even if prognosis, statistics tell you horrible things. Each one fights, each one needs to beleive for the best.
I am so mad at the people here who have already burried my dad. Some colleagues or relatives call me and their know it all tones suggest get ready for funeral. I just want to scream I refuse to be as pesimistic as they are but I don’t argue, I need strength to help my dad to fight and to win.
I think things are different in let us say USA – we don’t have support groups like this and I can say I’m blessed I’ve found you and that I know English well enough to understand your stories and to post mine. I needed this support a lot, am feeling not alone with huge problems. I see how people fight and survive and I know we all have our own roads and challenges to face.
Aiste,
My experience with surgery recovery was that I was up and walking on the morning after my surgery (surgery started on Friday at 1 p.m. the day before and I wasn’t in my room until well into the evening…about 9-10 p.m.). I was dismissed on day 3 following surgery on MOnday. We had a long, 3 hour drive home and I was VERY sore by the time we got home as my pain meds wore off part way on the trip. So, I would suggest making sure that pain meds are timed to be taken slightly before leaving the hospital, no matter how long the trip is back home. I was sore and had difficulty rising from a seated position for about a week and a half and made use of a walker to help me get around easier and a little bag attached to the walker kept my cell phone and i-pad, tissues, paper and pen with me at all times. Several people offered help of food, which we gladly accepted. I did have the main incision and several of the port incisions (the surgery was done laproscopically) not completely heal closed before the stitches dissolved. That required a month and a half at least of daily cleaning and packing incisions with a special packing that has silver in it to kill off bacteria and speed healing. A wound nurse specialist helped us with getting started with that and then my husband did the cleaning and bandaging every day It was a nuisance, but did eventually heal from the inside out . Hope that helps.
Aiste, I did very well after surgery, The surgeon was not sure if he would need to take a piece of intestine to make a section of bile duct if needed ( fortunately, he did not, he said he was able to move things around a little bit and made what was there reach. ) I was up and walking on day 3 and I went home on day 5 after surgery. One big difference is I was 49 at the time, so I was 25 years younger than he is, he may not be expected to heal as quickly as I did, but we can hope for results close to mine as you say he is healthy. The toughest thing about it is your stomach muscle is now cut and re-sewn together. That is probably the most uncomfortable thing about the recovery is the tender stomach for a while, sitting up to move and such. He has you, which is huge also, my daughter looked after me and cooked and cleaned and helped me do as well as I did. Without her I am sure it would not have been so successful. Tell him be strong and everything can be as good as before. Best of luck to you both, Pat
Aiste –
Your father has everything going for him. Small tumor, diagnosed early, no metastases, a great attitude and a loving daughter. Don’t despair – in addition to all those things in Lithuania, you have the support and prayers of everyone in this group. Look at every day as a miracle and live every day to the best your father and you, can.Duke
Dear Aiste, thank you as I was wondering how to pronounce your name. It is also close to that good Champagne, Asti. Coffee, never for me can’t even stand the aroma.
I see a wonderful attitude change going on here with you! Good girl, attitude is everything! Sounds like Dad is doing well about the surgery as I am with mine. Teddy and I got through the 5 years of CC with humor. We may have cried on the inside but even today I can talk about some things he went through with humor. And me? I crack myself up about me! I look at surgery not as an end but the start to a new beginning called LIFE! I can tell you will be just fine and we are all here for you.Dear Lainy, middlesister and Gavin,
Thank you all for the warm and encouraging welcome! I’m new but am starting feeling really great here thanks to your encouragement.
I’ve read thousands of articles on this illness online and finally I have accidentally discovered this forum full of optimistic, warm and caring people. The articles I kept reading gave me just negative reactions while this forum gives me hope to win as much time as possible.
I’ll sure inform you about the operation on Monday. Now my dad is in hospital and keeps joking, caring about us all like he is used to doing. I keep telling him about this forum and the stories of other people. I’ll read everyone’s story little by little but so far I’ve read some topics from hercules and Lainy. I got to know Lainy is going to have an operation herself, right? What a great person she is – before her own operation she keeps encouraging others! I’m amazed and ashamed of feeling pity for myself all this week after my dad’s diagnosis..I cannot sleep, eat, do every day activities but seems it’s time to change my tactics – I have a wonderful son who is 16 and who is also worried. My mum, sister who is a doctor herself, my son Paul and me got close and help one another to cope with difficulties. We must support mum as she is not in good health either.
Time to stop pitying myself, I’ll need strength in order to support my dad and my close people.
Lainy, you’ve mentioned your fav drink was Iced tea – great choice, even if I think coffee is better 
My name is pronounced like ice tea so I chose it as my nick here.All the best for you all and I am keeping my fingers crossed for my dad and also for Lainy hoping for successful and smooth recovery after operations.
Aiste
Hi Aiste,
Welcome to the site. Sorry that you had to find us all here and I am sorry to hear about your dad. But I am glad that you have joined in with us all here as you are in the best place for support and help and you will get loads of each from all of us.
Thanks for telling us about your dad. I know that right now your head will be all over the place with everything that is going on and that is so common, but please do not give up hope. It is great that your dad is able to have surgery as for far too many CC patients surgery is not an option after diagnosis. My fingers are crossed for your dad and for the operation to be a success. I can not share any personal experiences with surgery as my dad was not able to have it but I know that many will be along soon to share their experiences with you.
Like your dad’s doctor, I too hope for a good outcome to the surgery and please let us know how that goes. Keep coming back here Aiste, you are not alone in this now. We are all here for you and we care.
My best wishes to you and your dad,
Gavin
Dear Aiste,
Welcome to out group. My mother was diagnosed at 74 years young, and I know it is devastating to hear, and even more scary when you learn about CC. Fortunately, 18 months later and she is feeling great even though she couldn’t have surgery. It is so wonderful that your Dad’s was found early and that he can have surgery. I wish the best for you and your family.
We will be thinking of you on Monday, please let us know how everything goes.
Best wishes,
CatherineDear Aiste, welcome to our amazing family and the best place to be for CC. I know that many prayers will be going out to your Dad for a successful surgery and to provide you with strength. My husband was 73 when he was diagnosed and had a successful Whipple surgery. Yes, this is a huge surgery BUT not life threatening like heart surgery would be. Dad will be very tired for quite a while and you may notice a change in his eating habits. My husband loved sweets and then had no taste for them. Instead of big meals when he is able, let him ‘graze’ all day until his system can take more. I am wishing for him to have a smooth recovery. Please let us know when you can, how the surgery went as we all care. You never know how strong you are until “strong” is the only choice you have!
P.S. My favorite beverage is Iced Tea!Dear Pat,
It is so great to see such a quick response to my message here, especially by a cc survivor of nine years. Your story is very inspiring and gives us all hope.
First, I wish you and all the members and their relatives here to stay strong and be able to keep fighting.
I’ve read your tumor was 1,5 cm, my dad’s is 2,1. We managed to get help from leading oncologists in Lithuania and I hope they’ll be able to help us in this situation.
Pat, if you don’t mind, could you please write something about post-operation period. I’ll keep informing you about my dad’s condition. Monday will be hard for us but we hope for the best. Operation isn’t easy as we were told. My daddy knows not a single word in English but he said when he comes back home, he’ll sit by a pc with me and we’ll share things here together. He calls me ‘half-professor in medicine ‘ lol as I’ve read everything I could about this illness and inform him about the cases of success daily.
I’ve always been ‘daddy’s girl’ but this diagnosis brought us even closer together.
We’ll know the exact diagnosis later, after his operation but doctors say echoscopy, scans are informative enough for them to suspect cholangiocarcinoma.
I hope to hear from Pat and others again!
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