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I hope this isn’t out of line, but I am curious why a whipple if the tumor is contained and the doctor thinks no lymph node involvement nor involvement of the pancreas. A whipple is such an invasive surgery. Would a liver resection do? (Also invasive and a bit of a recovery period from first hand experience.) I guess different doctors do things differently, but it sounds like your friend is at the same stage I was. I had 2/3 of the liver removed, gallbladder and reconstruction of bile ducts, but not a whipple. This was done at Johns Hopkins.

As others have said, everyone is different in the way they deal with the diagnosis. I’m the type that likes to talk and likes to be asked about it although not dwell on it. A friend, though, does not want to mention the C word or have people ask her or talk about it. She thinks that will define her. I have noticed that people seem to look at me trying to assess my current status as though I have a big scarlet C stamped on my forehead, but that’s okay because I really know they care. I’m sure your friend will lead the way in letting you know how to deal with him.

Wishing him all the best and a speedy recovery..sounds like he’s in the best possible position for an otherwise scary diagnosis.
Good luck to him..
Kathy

Wonderful news. Keep on your road to health!
Kathy

Hello Sharon,
I’m sure that others can speak more directly to this question which I have also posed before. I also read about the Bloch Integrative Medicine Center in Chicago and wonder what other people’s experience has been there. It combines traditional and alternative treatments with emphasis also on diet, exercise and meditation. Have you read it or heard anything about it?
I was diagnosed with cc late July and operated on Sept. 29th with clear lymph nodes and clear margin, but surgeon had to remove 2/3 of my liver. I could have done a clinical trial but opted not to and have done all the readings you have mentioned and am trying acupuncture, diet, massage, yoga, and guided imagery. My first scan after surgery was last week and it was clear and the CA 19 marker went from 88.5 to 16..which I’ve been told is pretty standard results for so soon after surgery, but I’m still basking in it! One scan at a time!
Please let us know what you decide to do (or your mother does). It’s remarkable that she recovered so quickly from surgery. It took me somewhat longer to get my energy back and for incision to heal, but I’m beginning to feel that surgery is past and the real task of living healthy is now at the fore.
Good luck! I hope you’ll share your decision and how it all goes. Your mother sounds like a very positive person.
Kathy

Hi Cathy..Don’t want to give ANY impression that my doctor is not knowledgeable. He’s one of the tops in the CC field..Dr. Michael Choti at Hopkins..he’s done many resections for CC, travels the world operating on this kind of cancer..I know Singapore for one. He’s just discouraged that more $$$ isn’t out there for research for CC and thinks there should be an international study and a database (which there isn’t, although for other cancers there is) where information can be centrally located. He feels there isn’t enough information out there yet to support (or not) the use of chemo. I misunderstood him at the time of my first post-op visit. I thought he said there wasn’t evidence that chemo was effective meaning that it wasn’t; he actually meant that there wasn’t evidence either way and so there’s a vaccuum and it has to be up to the individual. He said (yesterday) that some people will do anything to have the chance for it not to come back, while others won’t go through the rigors of chemo. I am curious why more isn’t said of Johns Hopkins on this board as it, too, ranks high in its treatment of CC. Dr. Choti has been on the board of the CC Foundation and JH is taking part in the National Cancer Center’s clinical trial of using chemo and radiation for resectable CC patients.
What chemo were you on? I will definitely put Dr. Chapman’s name on the list to contact.
Thanks for your information.
Kathy

I just had my CT Scan today and it came out clear. I don’t have to go back until May for my next scan. I still am questioning the chemo part. The doctor restated today that statistics don’t show one way or the other that chemo is effective; he corrected my belief that he said originally that chemo was not effective, it just hasn’t been proven effective…I need to get off the fence and accept one way or the other my chosen path. For now, the news is good, but I feel I’ll kick myself if it comes back and I hadn’t done anything to try to get it not to come back.
But today the news was good and I’m basking in that and my girls, 12 and almost 11 are, too (and my husband!), but I’m so worried for my girls..I’ve got to be around for them!

Hi HEather,
Your father’s and my story are very similar although the surgeon felt he got it all with clear margins..also no lymph node involvement. I, too, did not start chemo. How did your father get to that decision? Did his surgeon recommend it? What chemo did he start on (and for how long will he be on it?) Did you follow a particular diet? I am not following a particular diet, but am trying to follow recommendations in several books. Also, what supplements seem to be recommended? I do for my first post-op scan on Monday and am quite nervous!
This website IS a blessing….
Kathy