gale918
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I honestly don’t remember the name. What do you know about Xeloda? I just remember it will be a pill and I won’t loose my hair and I’ll be taking it for six months. Need input….. Thanks in advance.
I had a resection and the doc team said no chemo because healing from a resection was plenty to deal with. I’m healed now, 1 1/2 years later, and another tumor has started. I will be scheduled for a RFA in December and chemo after. Doc said it was a pill and I won’t lose my hair BUT I can’t remember the name of the pill. Any answers on chemo pills would be grateful?
Sean, Neal and I met with Dr. Gemery Wednesday afternoon. We saw the CTscans from April, May and October. It’s not scar tissue. The tumor will be burned by the Radio Frequency Ablation surgery. We talked about doing a biopsy but the tumor is small, so he’s going to burn it either way (cancerous or non cancerous). I will probably get a PET scan to make sure this is the only tumor. It is very close to the inferior vena cava vein, so he said he may not be able to get it all. I will undergo chemo after. The surgery is laposcopic, so 1 possible 2 day stay in the hospital. He said he tells his patients to take two weeks off, and if I’m feeling good I can go back to work sooner. He does this surgery about once a week. It will take at least a couple of weeks to organize the surgery. I’m still hopeful with the fact the bloodwork all came back NOT ELEVATED. I’m looking at this as a bump in the road.Up
The insurance is Blue Cross/Blue Shield, Lumeous. It’s a PPO (Preferred Physician policy). It’s also a major medical policy. Comes with a VERY high deductible, no co pays. After the deductible is met, I’ve paid for nothing, including prescriptions. It comes at a high cost also. Work takes $178 out of my paycheck every two weeks. Given my condition, I’m not complaining. I’ve been getting bladder infections, one after another lately. I hope this doesn’t interfere with the RFA. I’ll keep you posted. Chat later.
My insurance company does cover RFA…. YEAH. I was told it’s considered “experimental” but if the doctor deems it “medically necessary”, it’s covered. My consulation is Wednesday. My oncologist gave me a prescription for Lorazapam to help with the anxiety. It still can be scar tissue!! But I’m ready to hear what ever news it is. I won’t know until a biopsy is done. Chat later.
You have peaked my curiosity. I’m calling my insurance company today to see if it covers RFA’s. Tess: My tumor invaded my inferior vina cava. I know many surgeons don’t operate. Sounds like your dad is very fortunate to have a daughter that is informed with knowledge. Chat later.
My lead surgeon was the Director of Transplants for my liver resection in June 2007. He told me that if this resection failed, I would be on the list for a transplant. Having read the above information, helps me know that the surgeon/doctors involved in my cancer are capable and I’m comfortable in their decisions.
Carol158: I’ve had no problem with insurance so far. About $11,000 has been out of pocket, but I made arrangements with the hospital and I’ve had no problems. Thanks for letting me know. I have questions about RFA. 1. Once you have a RFA, does that part of the liver regrow? I’ve read where the docs can repeat RFA.
Charles, nice to meet you. My CTscan last week showed a hypo density 3.2cm. It’s right at the incision point where the surgeon replaced part of the IVC. The oncologist feels it’s scar tissue but I have an appt with the lead surgeon of my operation, who is the Director of Transplants at Dartmouth Medical Center. My blood work came back with NO elevations. I came close to getting a transplant last year but the resection was successful. This website has taught me that my operation is VERY rare. Others on this site have had two resections. Keep in touch. Gale
Swarty!: I never went through chemo, there are other introductions that you’ll find helpful. I just know not to go through it by yourself.
Lisa: The 16 years I was single after my divorce, I found it hard to date without cancer. I met my second husband via a blind date. We’ve been married 13 years. Got a friend, who knows a friend?
Thanks so much for responding to my postings. Nikki66, my tumor was 10.3CM (about 5 inches) I was Stage IIIB. I had only one primary (ONE BIG, HONKIN’ TUMOR) Mine was in my right lobe. It was an intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma. It took a month in the hospital, my Mom took care of me (You used wonderful adjectives for your Mom, diddo for my Mom), along with my husband, son and friends. Get lots of help when she is home from the hospital. Caregivers NEED lots of help!!!! If people don’t offer…. ask them! I found many people don’t know what to say, so they stay away but given the question to help, they are there for you in a heartbeat. I went back to work part time four months after the operation and went back to work full time one year later. Let’s keep in touch. Gale.
Hi Lisa: Yeah, I’ve made peace with the fatness. Horray – the tumor hasn’t spread for you. How often do you go for checkups? I had bloodwork and CTScan last week and I see the oncologist tomorrow with the results. I hold my breath! I go for bloodwork every three months and CTScans every 6 months. Let’s keep in touch… Thanks again, Lisa. It’s starting to get cold here in New Hampshire – How’s the weather, your way?
