My mom’s new journey with cancer
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Golden Girl –
As everyone else has said welcome to the site. And believe me I know what aggressive is when it comes to this cancer and truly that is the way you need to be. I am sure there were those that thought I was but no one ever said to me but I ma sure they thought it. My husband’s oncologist told him that I was the only reason he survived his treatment. It’s been a long haul for sure.
As for the cancer cholangiocarcinoma is the cancer and adenocarcinoma is the type cells it grows from. Adenocarcinoma means that is is arising from glandular cells in the body….like those lining the bile ducts. My husband was also adenocarcinoma. His was a Klatskin’s tumor or perihilar CC. His was treated with surgery then chemo then finally chemoradiation.
It is good that your mother has you to be such a good advocate.KrisV
Golden Girl,
Love your new name and he show! Every cancer patient needs an advocate and it sounds like your Mom has a good one. Hope they are giving her something for her swollen legs, it is so uncomfortable.
Hugs
LisaYou have to be aggressive, especially if your onc has little or no experience with CC including the distinctions between intrahepatic, perihelar (Klatskin), and distal (extrahepatic). Do your homework by researching on this site; you may have to lead your onc, radiologist, and surgeon to possible treatments. Don’t let them get off with the answer of “That’s not the standard treatment.” or “I’ve never used that treatment.” or “Insurance won’t cover that.”
Here is a link to probably the definitive summary of most of the treatment options out there today. It is long, but well worth your time.
http://www.cholangiocarcinoma.org/punbb/viewtopic.php?pid=57198#p57198
http://www.cholangiocarcinoma.org/punbb/viewtopic.php?id=7843&p=2 may also be of help.
Duke
We have chemo training this week, my mom’s feet and legs are full of fluid. We sure do miss our episodes of golden girls, but love the Christmas shows. I take each day with my mom as a gift. So happy she feels the same way. She does seem to be in more pain at evening time. The letter “c” has always been important in my life. Caring, compassion, creative, crazy, now cancer. Thanks all for the compassion and caring for this group.
Golden Girl…I forgot to mention that my husband and I are also “Golden Girls” fans. We watched it every night when we went to bed for the past couple years. BUT, with the advent of the holidays….our Hallmark Channel (which ran Golden Girls reruns) has been running round the clock Christmas movies. At least it’s something “feel good”, but I really miss all the good laughs just before sleep each night. Sure hope they start running Golden Girls again once Christmas is over.
I am with your Mom on the Golden Girls. Sometimes I just want to roll on the floor I am laughing so hard. I love aggressive! One cannot be too aggressive with a Cancer that we are still figuring out as far a treatments and etc. You go girl!
Golden Girl…..well…someone HAS to be aggressive….and sometimes, I think that unless we push a little….the doctors look at the diagnosis of Bile Duct Cancer and write us off.
When I went to be evaluated, I flat out told the doctor that I was told I was operable by the oncologist at home…and that i was there to have surgery and get rid of the tumor. At the end of the day, after I met with a surgeon (that he set up), he simply said, “Well, you got the surgery you wanted.” He wasn’t being catty…..just acknowledging, I think, that I had advocated for myself and got what I knew I needed. He had gone through all of “his” evaluations of my scans and condition….and in the end…the answer was the same as the oncologist back home….but I didn’t want to take any chances that they’d brush me off. I wasn’t leaving without surgery…or a darned good reason why not.
Let us know what the next steps will be when you find out.
So you go ahead….and be aggressive…..and push back if you have to. And keep on praying…because you have to have faith that God is on your side and He has a plan.
Julie T
Golden Girl…..I like your screen name. You are doing everything right – aggressive or not. Please keep us informed. Tons of good wishes and
Hugs,
MarionMy mother will hopefully be treated in eastern N.C. Her legs are full of fluids due to all the IV she received In the hospital left week. We have an appointment this week to see what the Doctor says for her plan. Today was the 2nd time a doctor has called me aggressive. My mom also likes that I’m aggressive. I changed my name to Golden Girl because it’s her favorite show. I am hoping and praying for the best.
Dear Beadlover,
Welcome to this site and sorry about your mother. I know you will find lots of support here. Please feel free to ask any questions you need and someone here is bound to find an answer or have an experience to help in your situation. Please keep us informed as to your mother’s progress as we truly do care. I have been stage 4 for five years…there is always hope! Hugs and prayers to you and your mother.
MelindaDear Beadlover, I was diagnosed stage IV and have had may treatments including surgery, chemo and SBRT. There are many treatment options available, I would ask about the plan. Hugs to you and your Mom.
LisaDear Beadlover, welcome to the best place to be for support of CC. I am sorry about your Mom but am curious where she is being treated and have they started any kind of treatment on her.
If no treatments are being done what is reason they give for not trying something. We have had some patients at Stage IV and they are receiving treatments. My husband was 73 when DX and we did buy him 5 years. Best wishes to you and looking forward to your answers.I have been with my mom since we learned she has cancer in August. I am thankful for this site because it has helped me by reading all these posts. We are told that she has masses on her liver . Last week she had her second stent put in her bile duct. So far no treatment, we have been trying to have a liver biopsy but her hemoglobin has always been to low. The brushing from the the last stent put it came back saying she has adenocarcinoma. While I’m sure she still has the cholangiocarcinoma too. I’m lucky that I’m able to take off this semester to be with my mom. She is 75 years old. They say her cancer is stage 4, she has surpassed what two doctors said she had left. I am happy with each day I have with her. I have Hope that something can be done to help my mom get better.
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