daniellemarg

Dear Gavin,

Thanks for the nice words and it’s great for us to be in touch with each other and providing support.

May I STRONGLY echo Marion and Lainy. I don’t think that your Dad is getting the right treatment, esp re: stents. Although it’s great that the new GP is personable and willing to meet etc (which is important), it sounds like he may not have expertise on this type of cancer. Have the doctors identified whethr the jaundice is due to the stents or liver function (as Marion pointed out) because if it’s the stents then 26 May is pretty far away. When jim’s stents have clogged he used to get a tiny bit yellow and have slight pain in the area. When we would call it in to the Mayo hospital the stents would be changed within 24 hours. I know that it’s different in the US than elsewhere (I am Canadian and if we were in Canada he would have to wait several weeks) but is there any way that you could get another opinion – – there are some others from the UK on this site who would know where to go. You sound like a really nice guy – could you push them to move the appointment sooner? Today the oncologist told us that he would see my husband in 10 days and begin chemo in two weeks (when the mayo team has already recommended that he begin chemo asap). i kicked up a fuss (politely and expressed that i would have the tumors measured for growth during the 2 weeks) and guess what they scheduled us for tomorrw and begin chemo on friday. i know that US is different but it never hurts to be pushy when it comes to advocating for our loved ones.

Again, I echo Marion and Lainy and also send you our warmest wishes, thoughts and positive energy. Thank God your Dad has you looking out for him.

Hi Gavin,
My husband has a lot of problems with his stents as well, it does sound like your dad’s might need to be changed. Regarding his sweats, are they following a high fever (my husband sweats a lot when his fevers break). he has had numerous infections. Are the nurses drawing blood samples/cultures when they see him.
It sounds like a very difficult time but you sure seem to be handling it well – your family is lucky to have such a supportive son.

Best wishes,
Danielle

PS – my husband is part Scottish

HI Maureen,

It’s lovely to see your post but sorry that your mother in law is ill.

We are also looking at alternative therapies for my husband’s treatment. I never realized before his illness the huge role that nutrition and diet play in fighting cancer.

Green tea (the good stuff) is about 1/100th the cost and has proven by countless clinical studies to be beneficial to cancer patients/survivors. I am drinking it myself also:)

Danielle

Dear Lwilson,
I am so sorry for your loss. Your mother is at peace and I am praying for you and your family.
Danielle and Jim

Hi Deborah,
Welcome to the website – my husband was diagnosed with CC (non resectable Klatskin) in Jan 2009. He just finished radiation and is about to begin chemo, the same protocol as your husband’s, i.e. gemzar/xeloda. I agree with Marion, the word palliative is often applied pretty broadly and hope/attitude do go a long way with this horrible disease. So many people live far beyond the grim prognosis they receive from their physicians.

How did your husband tolerate the chemo?

We are thinking about you and hoping that the scan brings good news.

Danielle

Hi Barbara,
Jim had 40 hits of radiation and had no side effects other than fatigue and mild pain on the zapped areas. The radiation protocol shrunk his tumor. He is starting the same chemo regime, Gemzar and then Xeloda a bit down the track. hopefully he will get the first dose of Gemzar this week. how did you find it????
Danielle

Kris,
My husband and I sure were happy to hear how well you’re doing (and we enjoyed the other posts as well!!!).