bclegg

Peter (from Vermont)
Hi-
I’m relatively new to this site. I was diagnosed with CC on 3/11/08, one day after sustaining a pulminory embolism. Since the CC call, I’ve been in a tizzy (like most on here either are or were).
I’ve been told I have an inoperable situation (my tumor is 7 cm), but am going to go for a second opinion.
I’ve read almost every post on this site, and took note of your’s in a discussion about taking chemo.
If I recall, you said you were 59, had taken chemo, but as of April of ’07,
you had decided to forego any more chemo and carry on, seeming hopeful to get one more good summer out of life.
Now I’ve seen your post from Feb. of this year, and wonder how you’re doing? And if there’s anything else besides chemo (diet, supplements, etc.)
that you are utilizing?
From what I’ve read on this site, it’s probable I’ll have to be making a decision about chemo very soon. I’m older (66) and as I said, my tumor is large, so maybe an initial dose of chemo would shrink it and allow for a longer chemo-free life, than if I would just say no to chemo from the outset.
I don’t think you’re a doctor, and I apologize big time for seemingly placing you in a position where you might think that your opinion could be detrimental to my future. Rest assurred, I am responsible for my decisions
and your opinion would be valued but perhaps not followed. Again, I will
make my own decision.
Thanks for reading this, and I would truly appreciate your views.
And , in fact, if others on here would like to add comments, they too would
be deeply appreciated. Thanks.

On the relationship between ulcerative colitis and cca.
I had my colon removed because of colitis in l986. In retrospect, I wish my doctor or anyone, really, had made me aware that colitis, though gone with the surgery and followup chemo (six treatments), would cause all sorts of problems down the line.
I’ve had kidney problems, dehydration episodes, bladder ca, gall bladder
removal, sclerosing cholangitis (2003), and now as of March 11, 2008, the
dreaded cca diagnosis. There is absolutely NO doubt in my mind that the original ulcerative colitis caused it all. How or why? If I knew that I guess I’d be collecting the Pulitzer Prize for medicine.
But my advice to anyone with ulcerative colitis is to get yearly proctology exams. And keep an eye out for bad things if you ever have colon ca and colon removal.

About the blood clots. I had a liver tumor biopsied on March 7th. Before getting the results, on Monday March 10th I got a pulmonary embolism, blodd clots in the lung. I was told that an active cancer in the body WILL
cause clotting. Thus, I was prepared to get some bad news on Tuesday (Mar 11th), and sure enough, the biopsy showed a malignancy in the liver.
This is being written on Easter eve, and I’m taking Coumaden and shots (lovanex) to get my blood thinned to a therapeutic level of 2 and 1/2.
I have been to Guthrie Clinic in the past week, had an MRI of the liver,
and have talked with the liver surgeon, Dr. Vandermeer. He told me I have bile duct blockage and a 7 cm tumor on the liver. Ha, the blood clots now seem like a walk in the park.
And now, perhaps someone can answer my question.
At the time of my biopsy, I also had blood work. Dr. Vandermeer showed me the lab printout, and the billirubin was normal, as were the other functions, EXCEPT for the ca – 19. This lab said a normal reading is under 37.
I have read many of the cases on this site and see ca – 19 numbers in the 500 or 600 range. My reading was -gulp- 21,000. My question is does this number mean my body is filled with cancer?
Incidently, with the exception of mild pain below my right rib (24/7, began
in July of ’07), I have no other symptoms. Also, I have ongoing sclerosing
cholangitis (since 2003).
Thanks for any answers.