kate-g

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  • in reply to: Positive Second Opinion Results #15161
    kate-g
    Member

    What wonderful news Mary! I hope all continues to go well for you both! x

    in reply to: Tongren hospital China #14933
    kate-g
    Member

    I have no idea if this is connected, but I spoke to my Mum in Greece yesterday, and 2 people had come to her and said “WOW! We saw an amazing programme on TV last night about a new treatement, that has so far been used only in China and Japan…..”.
    Well one of the people, the man who manages the land where my Mums caravan is sited, promptly dashed off to the olive trees, picked a load of the leaves, liqudized them and told her to drink it!! The treatment was something to do with olive leaves! It was all a bit garbled, but I thought I would mention this anyway, as SOMEONE may have a clue what they are talking about! I will try to find out more when I go to Greece this week!

    in reply to: Confused #15144
    kate-g
    Member

    What an awesome post!!
    I am really happy for you all, that is wonderful news!! YAY!!

    in reply to: My Mum #15074
    kate-g
    Member

    Thanks Jerry!! Thanks EVERYONE!
    One lady who belongs to this forum kindly rang me last night, and I feel very more upbeat about it all! I feel that AT LEAST, there are choices available here that would not be available in Greece.
    Yes Jerry, she had a fairly major resction last June, gall bladder, common bile duct, and lower part of the liver, so yes, maybe that is why the surgeons did not want to opt for surgery again. I have no idea. I would have asked them had I been there, but my Mum is not proactive, just accepts everything the docs say! She does not do this in a spirit of miserable acceptance, I hasten to add, she is just comfortable with herself, and the life she has led, and accepts her fate gracefully. Her main fear is suffering lots of pain. Her local Doctor in Greece has told her that returning here is a good idea, as the palliative care far exceeds Greece in quality, so that is reassuring.
    I have spoken to Prof.Lodges secretary, have been given the name of a very nice oncologist locally, and told about an immunotherapy trial that she may qualify for here in UK. So at least there are more options if she has a feeling to investigate them!
    Thank you all for your help and support! MUCH appreciated!

    in reply to: My Mum #15072
    kate-g
    Member

    Oh WOW!! Thanks for all your replies!! I was going to write to Professor Lodge today, but now I have his secretary’s PHONE NUMBER!!
    Also, spookily, one of the surgeons that operated on her in Greece, is currently working at UCH, in the liver unit. That may also be handy, as he will know her case very well of course.
    You are all so kind, may thanks! I’ll keep you all posted!!

    in reply to: My Mum #15067
    kate-g
    Member

    Thanks Jeff! Bless all parts of your body!!
    Well, the latest is that she has decided to return to UK, and forego the chemo in Greece. I think she will most likely forego it altogether. But she has decided that she would rather be here to die, if and when that happens, so that she has access to hospice care here. I am much relieved of course, that she is coming back. We can put her up and look after her etc. As I said, she is fine at present. My Brother is flying out later this week, and I will join them on Sunday, and we will help her get her affairs in order there, and then she returns with me to UK on Sun 4th February.
    My Doctor has agreed to take her on as a patient, so that she can be referred to our local St.Barnabas hospice.
    I am wondering whether to see if I can get a second opinion when she gets back here. At least if she had chemo here, she would have us to look after her. Or maybe they would consider another op? I have no idea. 10cm is a biggie I guess, as tumours go, so I am guessing that is why the Greeks have not offered the option of surgery. Still feel very much in the dark about these things! Also, why are liver transplants not considered for this kind of thing?
    Anyway, I PMd Jules, as I looked up Prof.Lodge’s details, and I see he is to be contacted at a BUPA (private) hospital. Has anyone seen him via the NHS. And if not, does anyone in UK know of any surgeons that have experience of this that ARE NHS?
    I don’t know. Feel like we are grasping at straws somehow, unless anyone out there can tell me otherwise!

    in reply to: Gemcitabine with 5-FU Push #14832
    kate-g
    Member

    Best of luck Jeff! Hope it all goes OK.

    in reply to: My Mum #15066
    kate-g
    Member

    http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a279/Mateykate/e3.jpg The link is for pic of me and my Mum, taken last year when we returned after the 6 week hospital jaunt to her home in Kefallonia.
    http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a279/Mateykate/e7.jpg
    This one is her, feeding her collection of stray cats!
    She is a lovely artist too.
    And she wrote a book. For anyone who fancies a read
    These Vagabond Shoes by Prue Corlett.
    I don’t know if it’s available anymore, being as it didn’t hit the million best seller list!
    I’m so proud of her!

    If you need to log in to look at the pictures, my password is BBDD40!

    Thanks for listening!

    in reply to: My Mum #15065
    kate-g
    Member

    Bless your heart Jeff….and your liver and lungs!
    I took such heart from reading your story Jeff, thinking of the fact that your ops sounded so similar, and you’d had 3 years before it came back!! You know how it is!! And now, my anger and frustration has subsided. And yes, it’s because I don’t have a magic wand!!
    Hopefully I’ll be speaking to her tomorrow night, and will have more of an idea of what her plans are. But this much I do know………the tumour is 10cm (gulp), and is in her liver. She has been advised to have chemo, in the form of Gemzar. And I believe she will begin this next week at some point. It sounds rather grim, as my kids informed me that an adult liver is 20cm long!
    Anyway, I shall babble a little. One of the things that worries me is that she lives in Kefallonia, Greece, and will have to travel to Patras for the treatment. This involves a one hour bus ride, followed by a 2-3 hour ferry to the mainland, and half an hour to hospital. She’s been told it will be weekly treatment.
    What also worries me is that she weighs just below 50 kilos (8 stone ish).
    She lives alone in a rather scruffy but lovely little caravan. No hot running water, limited facilties shall we say.
    That is my ramble.
    Also, what is hemagenoma (sp)?
    So, now I will begin to trawl this site (and others) for any stuff on Gemzar.
    If anyone is reading this, and knows ANYTHING, has anything to say, please say it!! Even if it is a grim read.
    I only wish I was there with her. I left my husband and kids (6 and 8) last year for 2 months to be with her. Circumstances have changed a little, and I don’t think I can do that now. But obviously I want to see her again. Do I go NOW? Do I wait and see? Good grief! I’ll have to take the kids with me…….you get the picture!
    Meanwhile Mum texts, telling me not to worry, and that she is feeling upbeat and positive, even though she has been told there is no long term solution.
    Should I try to drag her back to UK for a second opinion? I believe she is at the best hospital in Greece………but……should I try to het her back to UK for a second opinion? Sigh. I think I’m done!
    Yes, any info of any kind, good or bad would be much appreciated!
    Jeff, thanks for your reply. I am glad that this site is here. I’m glad that people like you are out there, and I thank you from the heart.
    Hope all is going well with you, inspite of it all!
    Much love
    Kate x

    in reply to: My Husband-Ken 04/23/60-12/27/2006 #15013
    kate-g
    Member

    Terri, much much love to you, and HUGE cyber hugs xxxxxxxx
    I’ve just looked at his website, what a lovely tribute, what a lovely man!
    Love to all your family too.

    in reply to: European CC community – Please help #14946
    kate-g
    Member

    Love and best wishes to you and your Mum Maggie xxx

    in reply to: Fevers #14982
    kate-g
    Member

    My Mum had a resection in June last year. She hasn’t had chemo or radiotherapy, but has had a few fevers, which is unusual for her, so we guess it is something to do with having had such major surgery.

    in reply to: My mother #14904
    kate-g
    Member

    Oh Figen. I only just checked this forum. So sorry to hear your Mum died.I am glad she did not suffer pain, and passed on peacefully.
    Take care, all the best to you and your family. xx

    in reply to: hi.. first time here #14929
    kate-g
    Member

    Good luck Serap!

    in reply to: My history #13835
    kate-g
    Member

    Peter, lots of love to you, I don’t know what else to say!

Viewing 15 posts - 121 through 135 (of 170 total)