cherbourg

Hi Ashlea,

One thing that may help clear up the term “adenocarcinoma”. Adenocarcinoma means that it develops in the columnar type cells as opposed to squamous cells. Since the bile ducts are lined with columnar type epithelial cells a cancer there is “technically” an adenocarcinoma.

There are all types of adenocarcinomas. They can be types of breast, lung, colon, kidney or lots of other types of cancers.

I’m sorry you’ve had to find this site but we are glad you are here. You will find lots of information and the most caring, compassionate, intelligent and wonderful people that are eager to help.

I’m glad you pursued your questions with the doctor. You will find quickly that it is a good thing to be proactive and continue to ask questions until you are satisfied and understand the answers. You are about to learn more than you ever thought possible about medical issues! *grin*

My mom (77) was not diagnosed until she was stage IV with mets to the Lungs and pericardium. She was feeling fine, still working full time at a demanding job and the cancer was only found when she was having a CT to r/o a blood clot after a bout with pleurisy.

Let us know if we can help with questions or direct you to the place to find some answers. We are all here for you!

Hugs to you and your family!

Pam

ljg,

Grief like love does not have a timetable. Think of it as a moving, flowing process. There will be good days and bad days. Eventually the good days will prevail as the bad ones recede and the good memories of your Mom take over. You are a remarkable individual and there is no one else on the planet just like you. Because of that your grieving process will progress in a manner only for you.

Take especially good care of yourself during this process. You did everything you could for your Mom. Look at yourself in the mirror and know that she is in Heaven, without pain looking down on her beloved daughter who did everything humanly possible to ease her suffering and make her journey comfortable. You are the amazing legacy she left behind.

Be kind to yourself.

Lots of hugs, love and prayers coming your way!

Pam

Lainy,

Wow you must be reading my mind. This issue has come up with my Mom. Dad and I have discussed this over and over. My Mom was diagnosed at 76. (May 2008). At the time of diagnosis she was STILL working full time at the County Planning division with about 60 people who answered to her. She was sharper than a tack!

We had some issues with a few drug reactions that were given when she went into AFib and had to have a pericardial window procedure done. (She has lung and pericardial mets.) Those issues were addressed and the problem did seem to get better.

Now it seems as if she has aged mentally dramatically. She takes almost No meds. (Just Xeloda, a rare xanax, an 81 mg. aspirin and a blood pressure pill) She doesn’t take any of the meds she was given for pain since she hasn’t had any pain. (Methadone). She did have 5 rounds of Gemzar and Oxyiliplatin and Nexavar. She’s now on Xeloda nonstop for 2 1/2 months.

She has moments that she can’t get the word out or moments when she really seems to have dementia. (Her mother had dementia but she at least was 95 at the time).

We’ve mentioned this to the oncologists and doctors and have been keeping a close watch on the ammonia levels since that can cause similar symptoms. The levels have been normal. We even got a CT scan to r/o brain mets as well.

The symptoms seem to come and go with no rhyme or reason. It’s definitely a puzzle.

I did speak with an oncology nurse that I work with and she did say that the shock of having and dealing with a terminal disease can exacerabate these types of symptoms. Who knows…….one more gift of this monster of a disease…

Hang in there…….

Pam

Sophie,

I’ve started a new topic in answer to your question. I hope it’s helpful.

You are in my thoughts and prayers!

Pam

Hi Stephanie,

Sorry you’ve had to join this club. You are wonderful for being there for your Mom. One thing that stands out in your post is the issue of her having pain. You need to address this with her doctor. There are things that can be done and she doesn’t need her strength being sapped by being in pain.

This is a wonderful site for information with some of the most helpful and compassionate people on the planet. You are in good company and I wish you the best.

We are all here for you and your family!

Hugs to you,

Pam

At Duke medical center in the chemo area they have puzzles that people bring and the completion of them is an ongoing thing. The chemo room is open and everyone has their own tv to watch but others choose to walk around and visit, chat, knit or crochet, smock, read, play video games or bring small video’s to watch their own movies. My Mom’s favorite thing believe it or not is to send my Dad and me down to the cafe to bring her something to eat!

The staff is friendly and they have cancer survivor volunteers that will visit around, answer questions from a personal point of view and just offer encouragement.

It’s a very friendly and comforting setting.

Patsy,

Smiles through tears…….that says it all about how we cope with this monster of a disease!

My Mom has cc and is 77. She was diagnosed in May and is still with us. So far she has made it to see the birth of her second greatgrandchild and the wedding of my youngest and her only granddaughter. I thank God for each and every day we have her. I think my son said it best and I use his words in my “signature” on how to cope.

Know that you and your Daddy are in my thoughts and prayers.

Take care and lots of hugs coming at you and your family!

Pam

Marion,

I posted the link. http://www.labtestsonline.org/

(the difference is the “s” after test)

Gotta run to Greensboro in the next few to take my Mom and Dad to Duke.

Talk to you soon,

Pam