kimcirucci
Forum Replies Created
-
Posts
-
Mr. J, all I can say is please keep fighting. There are no words to cushion the blow, but I hope you find the strength to continue the fight. Take the info that the drs give with a grain of salt. Doctors often do not know much more than patients. They certainly didn’t know more than me, and that’s sad. If you believe that you have the power within to conquer this nasty disease, then you may well be able to. I was also on Gemcitabine & Cisplatin (which is the word I think you were trying to think of). Unfortunately for me, this drug combo did not work. I was lucky enough to find a miracle surgeon who removed my tumor when many, many drs said I was inoperable. Everyone’s case is definitely unique, but we all share one commonality & that is to beat this disease to death. I hope this drug treatment works for you. I know it has worked for many. If it doesn’t seem to work after a cycle or two, please force your drs to try something else. Time is of the essence with this disease, and wasting time with drugs that aren’t working will not produce a good outcome, so just keep trying whatever you have to until you find something that works. I believed there was someone who would be brave enough to tackle my tumor & I found him. If you believe there is treatment that will work for you, then focus on finding it & you will. You are certainly in my prayers Mr. J. I’m a tough little lady who is going to send some of my power your way. Wishing you a miraculous holiday. Good luck with your treatment. Hugs!!!
Hey Jim, I was so excited to read your post. Dr. Kato also performed ex vivo surgery on me in July of this year, also left lobe resection with many bionic parts as well. It has been 4 mos since my surgery & I am feeling well. I have been writing all over this website about Dr. Kato & now I’ve stumbled into you. How wonderful. Yes, Dr. Kato is a true miracle worker. So how are you doing since your surgery? I hope all is well. Please keep in touch. I’d love to hear more of your story.
From my experience, I’ve been all over NJ & PA and really wouldn’t recommend any surgeons/oncologists that I’ve seen. NY is the place to go. Dr. Tomoaki Kato of Colombia University in NY saved my life. After meeting him, I couldn’t possibly recommend any other doctor. He is a pioneer & a true miracle worker. Please research him. You’ll be amazed. Good luck to you!! May you find whatever it is that you need.
Tommy, just tell your dad to stand up and keep fighting. It’s harder to become a target when you’re moving. No one knows the future & don’t listen to anyone who claims to know, especially doctors. Just help your dad to live his life & enjoy every day. Never give up & never lose hope. Everything can be beat and that goes for cancer too. All the best to you & your family. Prayers coming your way from NJ.
Hi Peony, I’m so glad to hear that you are going to research Dr. Kato. You will be amazed by him & what he has accomplished. I don’t know if your husband’s oncologist will listen. Many physicians do not believe this type of surgery is possible, and some do not like to admit that there is another dr out there who is brave enough to tackle this type of tumor. Whether your oncologist recommends Dr. Kato or not, please give him a call. You can’t rely on other doctors to guide you in the right direction. You must take matters into your own hands. Believe me, I am living proof of that. No one was willing to help me or give me advice. That’s why I’m trying to get Dr. Kato’s name out there. He is extremely kind & caring, and I am sure he will review your husband’s case (for free) if you send him all of his reports, scans, etc. That’s what I did & he personally called me to ask me to come to NY. He knew even before he met me that he would be able to do the job. His confidence is astounding. Good luck & please try to contact him. You have nothing to lose, but a lot to gain. His phone # is 212-305-5101. Whatever the outcome, I hope that your husband is able to conquer this disease. Just don’t give up & believe that anything is possible. He does have the power…I pray that he gains the insight to believe it. Best wishes. I look forward to hearing back from you.
Kim
So happy to hear your story Cathy. It is the survivors who give hope to others. I don’t know if and when I’ll ever truly feel as though I’m a survivor, but I know for today, I am alive & well. That’s a plus. I do believe we, as humans, have a power far greater than cancer, so I have no doubt that it can be conquered one by one. Let’s hope more people can beat this horrible disease. That’s my Christmas wish to all. Prayers & hugs!! Stay well Cathy.
Please see my post under introductions – “My inspirational Story”. I am not sure of your mom’s entire case, but if you can not find a dr who can help, please contact Tomoaki Kato, M.D. He is affiliated with Colombia University in New York, NY. He is the most amazing surgeons you will ever find. Please research him & best of luck. My prayers are with you.
I would like to provide the name of a brilliant & brave surgeon – Dr. Tomoaki Kato. He is affiliated with Colombia University in New York, NY. Dr. Kato is a pioneer of multi-organ transplants, as well as ex vivo surgery (outside the body). I am honored to say that I have had the pleasure of being one of Dr. Kato’s ex vivo patients. I was diagnosed with cholangiocarcinoma & after failing chemo & being told by many physicians that my tumor was inoperable & there wasn’t much hope, Dr. Kato removed my tumor in its entirety. Four months later, I am alive & well. Please research Dr. Kato & contact him if you’ve been told there is no hope. He is my hero & I hope will become yours. Best wishes to all. My prayers are with every one of you!
Thank you for your input Marion. I will try that. I also wrote to one of the administrators on here so that they will hopefully put Dr. Kato’s name on the list of physicians. I’ve been in the medical profession for a long time, and never have I been more impressed with a physician than I am with Dr. Kato. He is one of the most amazing people I have ever met…not only brilliant, but kind and gentle. I truly believe he was sent down from heaven. I truly hope others become touched by his angelic hands.
Thank you Marion & Margaret. I truly want to get the message out that people must fight & fight really hard. I will forever be looking over my shoulder, as I am fully aware that this type of cancer is very recurrent. At least for now, I am here. I just went to a new oncologist who said I should not be alive right now, so I am thankful for every day that I am here. I will certainly put Dr. Kato’s name on the alternative section. I am new to this site, but I am really glad I’ve found it. I agree, Margaret, that your husband may be too weak to undergo such a procedure. My surgery was one of the quickest of Dr. Kato’s & it still took 13 hours. If I wasn’t so healthy before the surgery, I don’t think I would have made it through. It certainly has been a long 4 mos, but I am feeling great now. I will keep you posted, and I will definitely keep you & your husband in my prayers. I wish you both courage & strength and many more years ahead. Keep laughing – it really is the best medicine. Keep me posted as well. Hugs to you!!
Chelle, I don’t know exactly what is going on with your mom, but if you read my post on the discussion board “My inspirational story” hopefully it will bring you some inspiration. There is a dr in New York, Dr. Kato, who performed surgery on me when no one else would touch me. He is an angel & the most amazing dr I’ve ever met. If I can help you, or give you any further info, please let me know. Tell your mom to fight with everything she has. She has the power to conquer this horrific disease. I did & I will pray that she can too. Prayers & thoughts from me to you. Good luck!!
Hi Libby, my heart goes out to you & your family. Please read my post under “Introduction” labeled “My inspirational story”. I also had inoperable cholangiocarcinoma, but I found a dr. in New York who is the only surgeon in the country who performs a type of surgery called ex vivo. After failing chemo & seeking the expertise of many physicians, I was repeatedly told that my tumor (10 cm) was inoperable. I am here to say that my tumor has been removed & so far, I am cancer-free. I may only have 1/4 of my liver remaining, but the tumor is gone. If you find my story on here, I hope that it gives you some hope. I don’t know your father’s entire history, but I am hoping that this type of surgery may be his answer. I am a walking miracle & I can only hope and pray that many, many others become miracles too. I will pray that your dad becomes one. Please keep me posted & tell your dad to fight!!! Inoperable doesn’t always mean inoperable…it only means you must keep fighting until you find a brave hero.
