My Intro

Thank you Lainy. Dr. Kato will be my mom’s second opinion.

Hi,
Can anyone share with me the size of their tumor and the involvement of it in the liver -right lobe, left lobe, vena cava, etc. My mom was dx with CC and is headed to her last 2 chemo tx’s and then PET and CAT scans. I am looking at Dr. Tomoaki Kato at Columbia Presbyterian as the surgeon for my mom as I am not happy with the surgeon she saw first and said he couldn’t do the surgery. I don’t have confidence per his ways.

Thanks in advance,
Jennifer

Hey Christine,

I’ll try to make long story short. I started with my primary in Mason and then refered to GI Specialist, Dr Peter Dryer and Dr Oncologist, Dr Jason Jones both out of Bethseda North. I still have those doctors and they are exceptional. For the all important surgery, I was refered to Dr Erik Dunki-Jacobs also at Bethseda. I give Dr Dunki-Jacobs credit that he acknowledged not having sufficient experience in the liver resection and subsequent ‘re-plumbing’ that was needed. He refered me to Dr Shimul Shah at UC. Although he might well be a good surgeon, I had committed to get a couple other options. Through some research we found that both MSKCC and Columbia had an outstanding reputation for treating CC. And we could visit both in one day! We are soooo glad we went to NYC. We found Dr James Guarrera and Colmbia to be very understanding to our situation and he was very experienced performing this critical surgery (mine took 9 hours). We were able to get an apartment only a few blocks from the hospital so that the family (wife and two teenagers) could be with me. We used AIRBNB to secure the apartment. I was in Columbia for a couple weeks and then able to move to the apartment for another three weeks. I returned back to Mason and now have a regular cadence with both Dr Dryer and Dr Jones.

I know NYC can seem a big scary place, but I can assure you there are some extremely talented, caring, and professional doctors and nurses there! Make the visits, interview the surgeons, ask your questions, make an informed decision, and go forward. My home email is dkillion1@zoomtown.com. Don’t hesitate to email, include your phone# and I will call you to provide more details. It’s a difficult time but you are taking all the right steps and you have this great support network for information and encouragement.

Dennis

Christine. If you can make the time, you might try visiting Columbia Presbyterian as its right there in NYC as well. Dr Guarrera work number is (212) 305-6382 (you will likely get Lisa the lead nurse). Tell them Dennis from Cincy recommended you! I proudly wore my REDS hat the whole time I was there!

Lainy … Absolutely!

Christine. I understand the world is spinning pretty fast at the moment and you are likely working within a defined timeframe. That said, whenever you need a “personal touch” from someone that has been through this. Just let me know and I look forward to meeting you.

Dennis

Hello Christine,

This diseases is pretty scary, but you are now part of a remarkable support group, welcome. I also reside in the greater Cincy (Mason) area and was diagnosed last June w CC (Klatskin tumor). I also traveled to MSKCC for a 2nd opinion and then Columbia Presbyterian for a 3rd. Although I was given a very similar approach by all three (the 1st was Bethesda North in Cincy) I opted to go with Columbia for two reasons. 1st was the comfort level we had with the surgeon (Dr James Guarrera) and 2nd the fact that they could get me scheduled within a week (time was not on my side). My experience at Columbia was fantastic, the operation was a success and the hospital staff were incredible. That said, we were impressed with MSKCC and confident we would have been in excellent hands there as well. I know there are more than a few members of this group that will attest to that.

Best wished, God Bless and Keep us informed,

Dennis

Christine, I want to welcome you also to our CC boards and hope they help you find some answers or emotional support as you go through what is the “crap know as CC.” I am also an intrahepatic CC patient….had surgery Feb 2014 at Mayo Clinic in Rochester. I’m glad to hear that you are getting a 2nd opiniion….as it’s always good to compare. What size did they say the tumor was? Also…..what side is it in?…..left lobe…right lobe?

Julie T.