lisa
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My mother took DES when she was pregnant with me. I wonder sometimes if that has anything to do with my cancer.
I was on gemzar and Xeloda and had no side effects except for some fatigue. I was even able to continue working without any problems. This regimen shrunk my tumor by 50%. Didn’t even lose my hair!
dittoes, Jeff.
I’m only 45, and I’m choosing to do whatever it takes to fight this. I want to live to see my children grow into adults. I want to see my future grandchildren.
Colleen, did anyone say what would or could happen with the tumor wrapped around the vena cava?
I think I will take your advice and send copies of the records to Mayo and Hopkins. It’s worth a try anyway.My doctors are really discouraging me about getting 2nd or third or fourth opinions. They said that there is really nothing more to be done except for chemo again, because of the size and location of the tumor around the vena cava. Any other doctor will say the same thing.
I’ll be seeing my oncologist on Friday, and I’m going to tell him to give me all he’s got (chemo wise). Sock it to me. I’ve got my battle scars, and am willing and able to fight this thing to the end.
I’m still chugging on… I’m just confused because one doctor says transplant may be an option, and another says that it’s not an option – both on the same day. I’m seriously considering going to Rochester for another opinion because of their experience with this type of cancer.
Not that I can really afford the trip and the stay, but right now I don’t think that I have a lot of options left.Barb, I had something similar happen to me. My Gastroenterologist said that I had an extreme case of acid reflux, probably due to irritation of the stomach from radiation. I was proscribed Protonix, but you can also try Prilosec, which is over the counter.
Candy, I’m glad to hear that your brother is doing well. I think we are having the same surgery, too. I’m getting anxious about the surgery, so it’s so good to hear YOUR good news.
I’m going in on March 18th.
Heather, don’t ever give up. Six months ago I was told that I had three weeks to live, and that my tumor was not resectable. I am now in great health – thanks to the stents allowing the liver to drain – and after months of chemo and radiation, the tumor has shrunk enough to have surgery. Do check out the Mayo Clinic. I’ve not heard of the doctor in Houston. My surgeon is going to be Dr. Michael Hart of Swedish Hospital in Seattle.
Strange… my first symptoms popped up when I was on vacation 2000 miles away from home, too. I thought I had jet lag or a mild case of the flu.
My gastroenterologist at a community hospital places my stents.
God bless and be with our caregivers! You have a very heavy burden to carry. At my cancer care center we have a support group for caregivers. Do you have one in your area? Maybe that would help. You’re right, you need to vent and sometimes give in and give yourself permission to need others as others need you.
As a single parent, I’ve tried very hard not to let my emotional reactions to this disease spill over onto my children. I try hard to be the same mom that they’ve always known. Their father hasn’t been in their lives for the past 13 years, so it’s been up to me all this time to provide the safe home and provide for their needs. It’s very scary for me to contemplate what will happen to them should I die, so I have resolved to fight this disease with all my power. The power of prayer is sustaining me, both my prayers and the prayers of friends and family.
Sometimes I wish I had a husband to help and be the caregiver. Then again, why would I wish such emotional trauma on one I love? Thanks be to God, I have remained mostly healthy the past few months. Yet I don’t want to burden my children or my parents with my care, so I have to remain strong. The emotional strain can be quite overwhelming at times.
I had my stent removed a week ago, too, and so far no problems. It’s definintely better to be able to go without a stent, as it was causing infection and inflammation problems. Thanks be to God, my tumor has shrunk enough to be able to go without the stent.
