peggyp

Dear Bella769,

Please accept my condolences on the passing of your dad. I know how hard this must be for you. You were right when you said what a terrible disease this is. It is usually in its late stages before any symptoms appear and most people haven’t heard of it. My husband has been fighting for three and a half years now. He has Stage IV ICC. We take one day at a time and try not to dwell on the negatives. Just like your dad, my husband was in great health until he had a nagging pain in his side. Thus, began our journey. I will keep you and your family in my prayers during this difficult time. God bless, PeggyP

Hi Matt,

I am so glad you are being such an advocate for your sister. Knowledge is power. Research and ask questions over and over. My husband had a resection in August ’08. The surgeon was confident that he had gotten everything. In December ’08, two small spots showed up on the part of the liver that wasn’t taken. Not knowing what they were, the doctors decided to wait until his next scans in March ’09. By that time, he had multiple tumors which have been treated with three different chemo cocktails. He just had a chemoembolization done three weeks ago and we should find out this coming Thursday if that had any effect on his tumors. He’s scheduled for an MRI at UVA and then we see the doctor that was in charge of his procedure after that. We were told from the beginning that chemo and radiation were not options. Had we known then what we know now, we would have insisted on chemo after his resection. All we can do now is take one day at a time and hope that God will continue to give him many more days. Tell your sister to stay strong and keep a positive attitude because I believe attitude plays a big role in fighting this terrible disease. Lots of hugs, PeggyP

Dear Paula,

I am so sorry to hear about your dad. You are doing all the right things just by being there for him and letting him know how much you love him. I lost my dad a little over a year ago, and I was there with him when he passed. Just as Lainy said, there is a peace in the room when the time comes. I will keep your family in my prayers. Hugs, PeggyP

Tiffany,.

I am so glad to hear that your tumors have shrunk and I hope that continues. You are doing all the right things just as the others have said. Stay strong and keep fighting until the battle is won. Hugs, PeggyP

Hi Matt,

Welcome to our CC family. Your sister is very lucky to have a caring brother like you. I am glad that they were able to find your sister’s CC early because usually by the time you have any symptoms, you are already in the late stages. My husband has Stage IV ICC and has been fighting it for a little over 3 and a half years. Most people have not heard of CC because it is such a rare cancer. Your sister should receive excellent care at Mayo. Sending well wishes for your sister and hugs to you, PeggyP

Dear SPF,

Welcome to the CC family. Hope your dad is doing better today. My husband has ICC and has had it for a little over 3 and a half years. My best advice to you is to stay strong, keep a positive attitude, and never give up hope. Just as Marion said, live in the moment, because not one of us is guaranteed tomorrow. You are on the right path by becoming as knowledgeable as you can on CC so you will know what questions to ask the doctors.

We have been told several times to get our affairs in order, but my husband keeps fighting this terrible disease. Our options are running out but he just had the chemoembolization that Percy mentioned in his post. We won’t find out the results of that until later this month. We are hoping for the best.

Sending well wishes to your dad and positive thoughts, PeggyP

Hi Jose,

My husband was diagnosed Stage IV ICC in August ’08. He had a large mass in his liver which the surgeon was going to remove. During the surgery, the surgeon called me from the operating room and said they were dealing with more than he had anticipated. They ended up removing John’s right kidney, gallbladder, part of colon, some of his stomach cavity and over 70 percent of his liver. His tumor was the size of a softball. In March ’09, the part of the liver that hadn’t been removed presented with multiple tumors. He has been on several different chemo cocktails since then. A month ago, he went to see if he would be a candidate for radioembolization. He was not because there was too much leakage into his stomach. He did have the chemoembolization on February 23rd but we won’t know if it worked until he has scans later this month. We’re hoping for the best.

Just as everyone else has said, there is always hope. Tell your sister to stay positive as I believe attitude plays a big role in responding to this cancer. Your sister is still young and if she was in good health prior to the CC, her chances of tolerating the chemo are much better. I will keep her in my prayers, and she is so lucky to have a brother like you who is fighting along beside her. Sending well wishes your way, PeggyP

Dear Rachel,

I am so sorry to hear this news about your son. Just as Lainy and Percy said, this disease gives no warning. John was very healthy and was already Stage IV when he was diagnosed. So, please, do not blame yourself for something that you could not see coming. Your son will remember what a wonderful mother you were to him and take that with him into eternity. Stay strong and try to relive the memories that you have made with him. Thinking of happy times will help relieve some of the pain. I will keep your son and you in my prayers. Visit this site often as I find it very comforting. Sending lots of hugs your way, PeggyP