I had a liver resection in 2007.

Viewing 8 posts - 16 through 23 (of 23 total)
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  • #22523
    devoncat
    Spectator

    Thanks Lisa,
    I didnt know that. Advil it will be….or walmarts version.

    #22525
    lisa
    Spectator

    Hi Gale,
    I’m so glad to hear you are doing well and are getting stronger.
    I was told to take Advil because it metabolizes in the kidneys rather than the liver.

    #22524
    gale918
    Member

    Oh my, I’m so excited at the response. With the HIPPA rules, I’ve had no one to commeserate with! I was originally told by the liver surgeon that he would not operate. Being devestated, I don’t remember what transpired after while sitting in his office BUT he contacted a co-worker (his words). It took one month to coordinate the operation. There were three surgeons, a liver surgeon, vascular surgeon (who I never met) and the lead surgeon was the director of transplants. The operation was 8 hours. During the surgery, the artery was “rerouted” through my neck while the surgeons removed 3 inches of the artery and replaced it with a synthetic material. I was put into a coma (Okay, I’m crying now… how lucky to have the liver rejuvenate itself!!!!!!!!!!!). The surgery was done at the Dartmouth Medical Center in Lebanon, New Hampshire. It’s a teaching hospital for Dartmouth College. I suspected my operation was unusual but the posting confirmed it. This website helps validate what I’m feeling and it’s great to FINALLY talk to other WHO KNOW WHAT I’VE BEEN THROUGH. I have questions. I am very careful about the over-the-counter medicines I take but for a headache, should I take Tylenol or Advil? I see I need to complete my profile. Fatigue is a major issue. Is this something I’ll be dealing with the rest of my life? Yes, I’m back to work full time, but I come home and I rest on the sofa and dinner is now a chore and I love to cook. Any ideas? I do attend a cancer support group which has been wonderful. I have chronicled my experience (which has turned into a book). I was having nightmares about death, blood, and the writings have gotten rid of them. I highly suggest this to anyone who experiences nightmares. Time to get ready for work. Chat later. Thanks again for the support.

    #22529
    lainy
    Spectator

    Welcome Gale and you complain all you want….don’t ya think you earned that right!!! As long as everyone complains we know they are hanging with us and we think of them not as complainers but as heroes!! Keep up the good work and I would not be too surprised if someone on this site will have an answer for you.

    #22528
    lisa
    Spectator

    Hi Gale,
    Thanks for stopping by! I’m wondering about the IVC thing, too. My tumor is wrapped around the IVC, and for that reason they stopped trying to resect the tumor. How were they able to do a resection on you with the IVC involved? And like Jeff asked, where was your surgery done and who was your surgeon? I’d like to contact him or her to get a 2nd opinion on my case.

    Thanks,
    Lisa

    #22527
    tiapatty
    Member

    Welcome, glad to hear you are doing well.

    Also, you came to the right place because this is the complaint department, cholangiocarcinoma is a coward and wouldn’t set up its own complaint department so this one had to be set up so feel free to let it all out and complain here, you are among friends.

    Patty

    #22526
    jeffg
    Member

    Welcome Gale, Glad to hear of your successful operation and ordeal with CC. That Vena cava was about as close as you could get to having some serious complications. Wow! Unfortunately side effects of such a major operation are more than not unavoidable. It’s great to hear your back at work and I wish you a continued positive future. May I asked what part of the world did you have this delicate surgery. Other members are always looking for good surgeons. Did you do any post op chemo or radiation?
    Again welcome to the site and please feel free to jump in at anytime. The greater the interaction, the broader our knowledge becomes.

    God Bless,
    Jeff G.

    #1515
    gale918
    Member

    I was originally diagnosed with Hepatosecullar Carcinoma but when the tumor was biopsied it turned out to be clolangiacarcinoma. I feel very fortunate that the liver rejuvenates itself as they took 70%, removed my gallbladder and the tumor invaded the inferior vena cava to my heart. Three inches of the artery has been replaced and after a one year recovery, I went back to work full time in June 2008. I feel good but have various “bumps in the road”. One being, my blood pressure goes up when I have to go to the doctors. My feet new turn blue on occasion, I now have many, many veins showing from my ankles down. ( It’s funny to see, as it is a defined line and I determined the line is from the hospital leg wraps that were placed around my legs to keep the blood flowing and to stop blood clots.) It worked great for my legs, but now I have these UGLY, TINGLING, HOT, ankles and feet. I did get a blood clot in my arm from the PIC line. Despite the above complaining, I feel extremely fortunate to be here writing this. I look forward to reading other introductions and to become an active member of this website.

Viewing 8 posts - 16 through 23 (of 23 total)
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