Introduction
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Posts
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Lisa! So sorry for the late reply. I did not have many gi issues, thankfully. Everything seemed to return to normal for me pretty quickly. The only thing I have now which I never had before is heart burn and acid reflux, but not regularly. How is your husband doing now? Glad he was able to have resection!
WOW!! I am so happy for you Holly! Your story is very inspiring! Keep on keeping on!! question, did you have a lot of GI issues after your surgery with the resection and gallbladder removal? My husband had 80% of his liver removed and gallbladder and he is having a lot of GI issues and pain 6 weeks out from surgery. He did get very intensive chemo and radiation before surgery also.
Holly,
I would also like to thank you for posting your story and welcome you to the discussion board. There is such strength in numbers. I am so happy for you and your progress. I also admire your strong faith. That is my source of strength as well! Sending prayers for your continued good health.
Melinda
Holly, Thanks for asking. I am doing much better, though still get a twinge now and then in that one portal incision. I need to stretch in general….not just the abdomen, but it sounds like a very reasonable thing to do. I am prone to cramps in my hands and legs due to two vitamin deficiencies, which we are trying to correct. I’m going to call around here locally and see if there is a PT who specializes in stretching that abdominal muscle tissue to help the adhesions. It does make sense that they wouldn’t go away…but that stretching them would help with comfort. I did have problems with intermittent pain after the first surgery, but it was alway explained away by doctors as probably intestinal problems. Nope…it wasn’t.
Thanks again. That’s a great idea.
Julie T.Holly,
I would also like to welcome you to our group. I know you have been through a lot lately, but thank goodness your cc was detected early and your surgery was so successful! Wishing you all the best,
Debbie
Holly, I just love the way you have made yourself at home here! I think 37 and 40. Everyone lives in Summerlein. They also have a younger Brother in Seattle but he would be your age and their names are Sari, Elissa and Jaron. It is so ironic how things work out like your Mom not having to go to Qatar! Sounds like some divine intervention there! I must say we get so upset when we get a person so young, like yourself. Just don’t understand it. I swear my husband got his when he served in Korea and others when they served in Asian countries but where the heck would you have got yours???? Before I forget please tell you MOM THANK YOU for keep us all safe and serving your country! I can see “strong” runs in your family.
Holly…..I can’t thank you enough for providing this excellent information. I promise, this is my last request, would you be so kind and repeat the info in this link designated to side effects?
http://www.cholangiocarcinoma.org/punbb/viewforum.php?id=45
On behalf of our community, I thank you from the bottom of my heart.
Hugs,
MarionJulie- How are you doing now? The main reason for me doing pt was to release the restricted feeling I had. And it definitely worked. He said he was ” breaking it up” by massaging and stretching it. I’m not sure if it actually goes away though. But I say its worth a try. It won’t hurt anything.
Lainy-
I did not grow up in LV, however, I have lived here since I was 16. I was a military brat, my mom was stationed here. She just moved back to Vegas this summer after I got my diagnosis. She was supposed to go to Qatar for a year, a month before she was supposed to leave we found out. We didn’t know what kind of help or treatment I would need so the military allowed her to move here instead. Praise God she’s not in Qatar right now and I’m doing great!
How old are your nieces?Thank you Pat!
Hi Marion I would love to
About the PT: After my surgery (May 2015) I still had nagging pain. When I would go from a sitting to standing position I would feel a pull and a slight throb. My oncologist said it sounds like scar tissue. At my request he referred me to a pt which was completely covered by insurance. I did about 6 weeks total. I went twice a week and practiced the exercises at home in between. They focused on exercises that would “stretch out ” the scar tissue. So lots of twisting and yoga type positions. He also did a scar massage ( didn’t like that at all) but it’s supposed to break up the issue and help the scar itself heal better. Then he said my abs needed strengthening since they cut through four layers of muscle. So, we did Pilates exercises that focus on the core. All were very low impact and actually relaxing exercises. I loved it. And almost everything I learned there I can do at home now. No equipment needed. I no longer have the pain from sitting to standing, and I stand much straighter than I before. I think everyone that has had a major surgery should give it a try.Holly, small world is right. They live on Grey Havens Ct. They have been in Vegas for 35 years. Good work on the extra posts. I just wanted to make sure that you got all the responses under one thread. Makes it much easier for everyone. BTW did you grow up in Vegas? My 2 nieces did.
Looking forward to your posts!!!Holly,
I also would like more info on the use of physical therapy for addressing scar tissue/adhesions. I just had a second resection (recurrence again in the liver) and before my surgeon could even “see” the liver, he spent 45 min removing adhesions inside. That was actually a good portion of the surgery. Thank goodness that he is patient and meticulous. I’d sure like to keep from having so many adhesions another time though.
Julie
Holly……I too must comment and thank you for the lengthy and informative introduction to us all. Your story explains the fortunate circumstances of early detection. Most often, if not always, this is related to investigation into another disease and the consequential, accidental findings of Cholangiocarcinoma. If resectable, surgery provides the cure, clean margins and no node involvement all lead to thrilling news.
Although the majority of physicians recommend adjuvant therapy, at this time we don’t have data proven it to be successful.
I like the approach of physical therapy addressing scar tissue. Can you enlighten us with a bit more information on this subject?
We are equally excited of your joining our board.
Hugs,
MarionHello Holly, I am sorry to hear you are one of us, but welcome, You have lived about as good a start as one can ask for. I hope and pray for your continued success. God bless, Pat
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