Question about surgery
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OK, thanks, I get it now. I know its very frustrating but even though we want it done now they have to be cautious. Once they decide and begin his treatment, it will really ease up somewhat as part of the frustration is just waiting when you feel they are “wasting” time. Also when the drainage tube does it job your dad will feel so much better. Stay strong and please let us know how he is progressing. Not that its funny but I sometimes react with stupid humor. When the doctor announced to Teddy that he was totally jaundiced I turned to Teddy and said, “you know I don’t like you in yellow”. Funny the inane things you remember. Good luck on Friday!
Hi all –
Thanks for your replies. BethT – thanks for your information. Maybe this is what they are thinking for my Dad? I don’t want this to delay his chemo. So it looks like maybe it won’t. Lainy – he has had multiple MRIs, CT scans and 3 ERCPs. All brushings came back inconclusive. He also had a bronchoscopy as something is going on in his lungs – also inconclusive. So they don’t have a ’tissue’ diagnosis of CC, but all signs point to it. The oncologist originally told my Dad they could go in surgically to get a tissue sample (liver maybe?) but that the recovery would be 6-8 weeks and it would be high risk b/c his bilirubin is so high and he’s so sick. So my Dad opted to just start chemo which the onc agreed with. Now oncologist called back and said she wants him to speak with the surgeon. Why? I don’t know. For staging purposes? Just to look around? This is just so frustrating.
I am so sorry Michelle but I am not understanding what is happening with your father. When Teddy had his drainage tube put in, that was it. One time. It was left in until after his surgery as the bile will just back up again if not drained or problem resolved. Teddy only had temps when he got a blood infection. Has your dad had any MRI’s, CT Scans, ERCP or anything? If so what does that show? I just feel like something important is missing here. Please help me to understand and then perhaps I can answer you with more substance. Don’t think I have heard of exploratory surgery with CC.
Michelle…..My husband’s brushings never confirmed the diagnoses of CC. In many instances, all symptoms combined with various test results will give a pretty clear picture as to the nature of this disease. The PTC will provide definite results.
Sending my best wishes your way,
MarionI forgot to mention something….each time they went in to adjust his “tubes” he spiked a high temp. ai one point it was 104.1. They got it under control but I wanted to let you know.
My husband just had this done last week. They were unsuccessful the first attempt to get the catheter tubes where they wanted them to be and they have since re done them twice. The last time was yesterday. They were able to get a biopsy on Friday thru one tube. We think they are done adjusting them. The tubes were attached to bags to help the liver drain. They drained a lot for the first two-three days but have since tapered off. They took off the bags yesterday. His bilirubin went from 12 to 7(as of Friday). They (the radiologists) were able to get a good tissue sample. We will find out the results tomorrow. The oncologist told us as well that my husband will start chemo with out knowing fully the results of the biopsy.
I hope this helps.
Be sure to prepare for a sore dad if they do the procedure and a lot of leakage.
Hope things go well and your Dad gets stronger.Hi all –
My Dad received his ‘sort of’ diagnosis yesterday at Dana Farber. But since they haven’t gotten any good tissue samples that clearly show its CC, they are having my Dad talk to a surgeon. Originally he was told going in surgically for samples was too high risk as he is very weak and his bilirubin is so high. I’m thinking maybe the surgeon might go in laprascopically to look around? Does anyone have a similar experience in getting CC diagnosed this way? Or has anyone not had a definitive tissue diagnosis but just moved on with treatment anyway? He is still scheduled to start chemo on Friday. I don’t believe the surgeon is meeting with him to discuss resection.
Thank you!
Michelle
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