Klatskin Tumor
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Fred. Fantastic news on the successful surgery. And now onto a steady recovery! Your son’s journey is very similar to the road I have been traveling. I had a very similar diagnosis (Klatskin) last June and had the same surgical procedure (I was at Columbia Presbyterian in NYC) July 16th. Recovery started slow, but gained momentum and now to a point where I’m doing all the things I was before falling ill (got 6 mile run in this morning). As others have suggested, keep good spirits, have faith, eat well (fell in love with beat smoothies, brussel sprouts, walnuts and spinach salads), and get daily excersise (start with walking, stairs, and work your way to jogging). Hope this doesn’t come off as too righteous, but thought you and your son might appreciate the information. Your son is very fortunate to have such a wonderful advocate/father. – Dennis
Fred, the liver regenerates in just 4 to 6 weeks, an amazing thing to try to imagine what is going on in there on a cellular level, eating healthy is important, thank god my daughter is a great cook and the smell of her cooking makes even a resection patient hungry. I have posted about my appetite problems, for me cannabis and my daughters wonderful cooking made a huge difference.Marinol helps for some, however for me marinol had minimal effect compared to high grade cannabis. I lost a third of my body weight by 2 months past surgery, it is still hard to keep my weight up (cashews and milkshakes are good calorie bursts ) best wishes to you both, Pat
All- Just an update
After an 8 day stay recovering at the hospital, Chris is now with us for a couple of weeks before he move back to his home. Fortunately there were no complications from the operation. His next appointment with the surgical oncologist is on 4 May where we should find out about the margins and potential future treatment.
Our focus for now is to help him get his appetite back and to gain weight.
Thank you all for your support and beneficial advice.
Fred
Fred,
Successful surgery is so wonderful to hear! Wishes for his speedy recovery as well.Take acre,
CatherineFred,
Sending congratulations on your son’s successful surgery! Praying that his recovery goes extremely well. Please keep us posted to his progress and next steps. Take Care and sending hugs and prayers your way.
MelindaFred…..a big, huge congratulations on the surgery and tons of good wishes for the recovery. Although it is an extensive surgery, each and every day will be better for you son (and you.)
Being that your son’s digestive tract is re-routed, some foods will agree with him better than some of the others. It is likely that fats may be more difficult to tolerate. When ready for regular food, high protein meals, spread throughout the day, will allow him to regain his strength, but much of it is trial and error and each and everyone experiences different symptoms. Perhaps some of our members will share their thoughts as well.
You will have to await the outcome of the pathology report, but the depending on the results of the “margins” further treatment may be recommended. Even with “clear margins” the discussion (most likely) will lead to adjuvant therapy and whether it should be applied (or not.)
For the time being though, enjoy the fortitude of a great surgery and everything else will fall in place.
Tons of loving wishes heading your way.
Hugs,
MarionYIPPEE, Fred! I just love waking up to news like this. CONGRATULATIONS.
To me the most important question would be what the Surgeon will suggest as follow up treatment. And of course when they know, you want to know if it was indeed clear margins.
I am sure he told you that it is a slow recovery but you will notice good changes. Please keep us in the loop about the progress and again, it is the best news ever!!!!!All- an update and question
Our son’s 10 hour surgery went exceptionally well and the surgeon believes that all the tumor and cancer has been removed. We are overjoyed.
It started off with a laparoscopy to ensure that the tumor had not metastasized. They then cut an L shaped incision and remove the tumor, the left lobe, and some lymph nodes. The final step was to perform a Roux-en-Y to connect the small intestine to the liver.
We updated every hour and the surgeon at UTSW in Dallas, Dr. Yopp came out at the 3 hour point to update us just before they started to remove the tumor.
So our son will be in the hospital for the next 4-5 days and then 4-6 weeks of recovery.
The results of the biopsy will be back in a few days to determine the margins.
What questions should we be asking now and what could be the next steps for our son?
Thanks to all for your support.
Fred
Greta news Fred, thanks for sharing that! I hope that your sons surgery goes well and my fingers are crossed for him! Loads of positove thoughts coming over your way and please let us know how it goes.
My best wishes to you and your son,
Gavin
Yea! Fred, we so love the word surgery! Will be sending prayers, a ton of love and looking for a successful grand opening!
Our visit to the surgeon went well and the surgery is on for 16 April. He did explain that, although it appears that the tumor has not metastasized, the first step would be to perform a laparoscopy.
If all is OK, they would then cut an L shaped incision and remove the tumor, the left lobe, and some lymph nodes. The final step is to perform a Roux-en-Y to connect the small intestine to the liver. It would be a 6 hour operation with 7-10 days of recovery in the hospital.
We did get the surgeon to draw it out which helped considerably.
So it all looks good. Between now and the operation, our son will try to gain back some of the weight that he lost.
Thanks to all for your support.
Additionally, this link provides a good overview:
http://www.cancer.net/cancer-types/bile-duct-cancer/medical-illustrations
Hugs,
Marion
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