mcwgoat

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Viewing 15 posts - 226 through 240 (of 298 total)
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  • in reply to: Starting SBRT Thursday, 5/2 #71399
    mcwgoat
    Spectator

    Thanks Marion,

    I read Betsy’s post and bless her for caring for her husband that way! It still makes me not want the external drain. I just don’t want to do that. I just heard some news that they’re not doing the procedure today but I’m not sure what that means. Am waiting for a doctor to come and talk to me. I don’t know if they’re going to send me home and let me continue SBRT treatment or are going to do the procedure tomorrow. It’s a waiting game at this point and very frustrating!!!

    Mary

    in reply to: Starting SBRT Thursday, 5/2 #71397
    mcwgoat
    Spectator

    Hi everyone,

    Well another bad turn of events for me. I had my second SBRT treatment yesterday. However, after the treatment they did blood work, because I’m jaundiced, and my bilirubin came up high so they admitted me and had a CT scan done to see what was going on. It seems the tumor is squeezing the bile duct, not allowing for any drainage from the liver – hence the jaundice. Now they have me waiting around, still in-patient, to see about putting a stent or catheter in. Since my only symptom is jaundice (no fever, infection, itching), there is a possibility they could hold off on the stent or catheter and proceed ahead with finishing the SBRT treatments. The gastro doctor is getting together with my radiation oncologist and medical oncologist to make a decision. Hopefully, I’ll know something soon as I just started to get my appetite back yesterday and now they have me fasting in case they do this procedure!

    Can anyone share their experience of having a stent put in the bile duct in liver?
    The catheter sound so drastic to me with the bag on the outside and all the home care you have to do. I’m a pretty active person and this would really get me down. I told them I don’t want a catheter. They said the only reason for a catheter would be if they weren’t able to open up the bile duct for the stent – then they would have to go with the catheter. They wouldn’t know that until they actually go in.

    Any advice would be so helpful right now!

    Mary

    in reply to: Starting SBRT Thursday, 5/2 #71393
    mcwgoat
    Spectator

    I have zofran for the nausea but it didn’t seem to help. I don’t feel nauseous today so that’s good. But I’m going to ask the doctor tomorrow if I can take two zofran at a time if I get the nausea again. I used zofran when I was on chemo and it helped but I guess this SBRT is so strong that my body is reacting differently to it than the chemo I was on.

    I have family close by and my daughter only lives 25 minutes from me. They’re always checking on me and stopping over. My one sister slept over my house last night – that’s who I walked with yesterday and we went to the supermarket and picked up a few things. I ate half a sandwich and jello yesterday afternoon. The soup is a good idea – I didn’t think of that. I think my other sister is coming over today maybe I’ll ask her to pick that up for me on the way over.

    As for the jaundice – I guess it could be from that but I’m hoping not – I just want to get all these treatments and then if they have to put a stent in after the treatments, I’ll deal with it.

    Mary

    in reply to: Gem/Cis v. Folflorinox #71521
    mcwgoat
    Spectator

    Starting with introduction posts is a good idea Lainy. I think talk shows now are more inclined to bring “the little peoples'” stories to light. Who knows, maybe we could get coverage from the Ellen show or the Katie Couric show.
    They are the two I can think of that have shown “regular” peoples stories in the past.

    Thanks for the hugs – I really need them!!!

    Mary

    in reply to: Gem/Cis v. Folflorinox #71519
    mcwgoat
    Spectator

    Lainy,

    I think that’s a great idea!!! And not really far-fetched either since lots of people have done it for their causes and seem to have done well. Ok, they’ve been mostly famous people – Michael J. Fox, Lance Armstrong, Sheryl Crowe, Katie Couric to name a few but we have some pretty knowledgeable people here and I bet some really good writers who would be up for the task!!! Even though I’m fairly new to this site, I would definitely be willing to share my story for the cause. It’s so frustrating trying to explain CC to people and it’s scary that the medical world, although working hard for more treatment options, finds it very difficult to treat. We sure do need more awareness of CC. With the right manager it could be promoted well and bring about the awareness we need.

    Keep those ideas coming Lainy!!!

    Mary

    in reply to: Starting SBRT Thursday, 5/2 #71391
    mcwgoat
    Spectator

    Thanks Gavin. I did get out for awhile yesterday and did some walking. Feeling better today but still tired which may be for stress. I’m a bit jaundiced and am so worried about that and what is going on with my liver. I have my second SBRT treatment tomorrow and hope to get through that and the remaining three after that. I’m scared I’m going to get so jaundiced that they’ll have to put the stent in which will affect the SBRT because of the fiducial markers (gold seeds) in my liver. I feel like the SBRT is the best chance for me right now and I’ll be really down if it has to be stopped before completed. My appetite isn’t that great but I’m trying to eat a little something each day. I’m drinking lots of water.

    Just praying I can do all SBRT treatments!

    Mary

    in reply to: Starting SBRT Thursday, 5/2 #71388
    mcwgoat
    Spectator

    Hi Everyone,

    Thanks for all the well wishes. It means a lot to me.

    Still feeling lousy and having trouble eating but am trying to stay positive. I’m going to try and get out and walk a little bit today – I think movement is good. I just wish I could eat a little something and not feel so sick. I am drinking water so don’t think I will dehydrate.

    Kris, did you have these issues when you did SBRT?

    Mary

    in reply to: Good News #71501
    mcwgoat
    Spectator

    Hey Lisa,

    I’m so happy you got such great news!!! You are an inspiration for me!!!

    Take care and stay well!

    Mary

    in reply to: Starting SBRT Thursday, 5/2 #71380
    mcwgoat
    Spectator

    Thanks everyone for your kind words. I’m not doing so good today – vomited this morning and even after taking zofran still feel nauseous. Have turned a little yellow but the doctor said that could get worse before it gets better. And I might end up needing a stent which would be an issue because of the fiducial markers in my liver. They use them to direct the SBRT but if I need a stent they would have to move the markers. Hoping that doesn’t happen and I can get through the SBRT. four more treatments to go – hoping I don’t continue to feel this lousy!!!

    Mary

    in reply to: Starting SBRT Thursday, 5/2 #71375
    mcwgoat
    Spectator

    Thanks Kris. The Lourdes trip is a once a year pilgrimage sponsored by the Order of Malta (a lay organization of the Catholic Church) but maybe they’ll invite me next May. I agree – better this happened before I left the U.S. I wouldn’t want to be that far away from my doctors and start having these symptoms.

    Thanks for your prayers and keep them coming!!!

    Mary

    in reply to: Starting SBRT Thursday, 5/2 #71373
    mcwgoat
    Spectator

    Pam and Jeeyoung,

    Thank you for your kinds words and keeping me in your thoughts and prayers.

    Mary

    in reply to: Starting SBRT Thursday, 5/2 #71369
    mcwgoat
    Spectator

    Thanks Lainy. I’m not doing chemo. SBRT is a form of guided imaged radiation. I had gold seeds injected into the tumor in the liver and the SBRT will shoot the high dose radiation there, using the seeds as markers. I’m scheduled for five treatments.

    I’ll let you know how I do.

    Thanks,
    Mary

    in reply to: Lauren’s Surgery #70246
    mcwgoat
    Spectator

    Pam,

    Great news about Lauren!!! I will be thinking of you guys on May 15th. Lauren is one strong cookie and with you by her side, she will make it through this surgery!

    You’re in my prayers.

    Mary

    in reply to: My mom’s diagnosis #71271
    mcwgoat
    Spectator

    Katya,

    Please know that you and your mom are in my prayers. It was heartbreaking to read your post. I feel your pain coming across the post and my heart goes out to you.

    Stay strong!

    Mary

    in reply to: Hives and welts #69673
    mcwgoat
    Spectator

    Hi Lisa,

    Sorry you’re still suffering with hives!!! I feel so bad for you. I sent you an email the other day but haven’t heard back from you. Would love to talk when you get a chance or if you’re feeling really uncomfortable because of the hives, just reply to my email.

    Thinking of you and praying you will find some relief. You’ve been dealing with this far too long!!!

    Mary

Viewing 15 posts - 226 through 240 (of 298 total)