My Dad
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Hi Michelle, the waiting can leave a big knot right in the middle of your belly. Keep us posted. This site offers many sound resources, from a wonderful group of people. I hope that the stent provides your Dad with some comfort. You’re in our thoughts.
Tess
Michelle…I would like to follow Kris in welcoming you also and to point out the “Search Function” on top of the page. There is a wealth of information hidden in previous threads covering every aspect of CC, shared by the great members of this site. That of course is in addition to the support coming your way with questions, concerns, and comments.
Best wishes,
MarionMichelle,
Welcome to the site. When you find your questions, we will be happy to answer. This is the the most wonderful and supported place you will find.Here is a heads up, brushings regularly come back negative for cancer when people really do have canceer…I was one of them.
ECRPs for me at least are horrible. I dont have good experiences with the anesthsia. Your father will wake up with pain in his throat. Have cough drops that will help numb the area. Yes, plastic stents need to be replaced, but many people dont have problems with the ercp so for many the replacement is not a problem…but for me it would be.
From my experience from what my doctors have said, your father will not be a candidate for surgery because the cancer is in too many places. Depending on your fathers health and his decision, your doctor might suggest chemo. New regimes are not as harsh as they used to be. Many of the side effects can be delt with. The most common problem people have is tiredness.
There are MANY other treatments available…radiation, chemoembolisation, photo dynamic light therapy,SIRT, etc. Information on these treatments can be found on the site, both in the discussion boards and on the top of the page under cholangiocarcinoma…next to the newly diagnosed section.
Your father will need an advocate and cancer buddy if he agrees. It is so easy to mishear or misinterpret what the doctor is saying. A second set of ears is often needed. Question your doctor. Make pubmed your friend. Get second opinions. This cancer is a beast. It is different in everyone. there is no path everyone follows. Some people have slow growing tumors, some people have no pain. It is individual but under most circumstances, there will be someone here who has experienced it.
Ask your questions and our fantastic community will do their best to answer, and even if we dont know, we offer support, hope and education. You are in the best place.
Kris
This may be a premature post, but I’ve been doing much research after my Dad became ill. My Dad presented with jaundice, some abdominal discomfort and weight loss just weeks ago. Saw his primary care physician who noted elevated bili and abnormal liver tests. Follow-up ultrasound was negative and MRI was ordered. MRI showed ‘stricture’ in common bile duct and 1.7 cm lesion on pancreas. He then had an ECRP and EUS on Monday at the Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston. I had asked his gastro to about a CA 19-9 while doing other blood tests. Doc at BWH after ECRP stated there were several strictures throughout my Dad’s common bile duct and many other strictures in the smaller ducts coming out of his liver. They took ‘brushings’ of the common bile duct stricture and did not bother biopsying the pancreas. My Dad’s CA 19-9 marker came back elevated (I don’t know the exact numbers) and we are now waiting for biopsy results. On his MRI previously they also happened to see something at the bottom of his lungs but aren’t doing anything about it at the moment. Doc said the stent is only good for about 3 mths so he will need surgery again. Not sure what my question(s) are at the moment. I’m just preparing myself for news that it is cancer and hoping for the best news. Support and experience from others on this site is also greatly appreciated.
My best to all of you –
Michelle
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