sharlene

HI, Sara.

He was diagnosed in May 2003 and his first operation was in June 2003. They just opened and closed him up. These tumors are behind the liver and difficult to get at.
In addition to being intricately wound around veins and arteries. I thought organs could be lifted out of position but that is not the case.

He started chemo(Gemzar and Xeloda) in July of 2003 and had radiation in September of 2004. A complication of the radiation was, because of the tumor location it damaged the lower part of his heart and lungs. But they needed to shoot it from 4 directions and unfortunately organs get in the way. It also caused scar tissue which affected the pyloric valve where his stomach empties and he needed a stomach bypass to create a new exit into his intestines.

Another down side to the surgery was that 70% of these tumors return in time. They do not know much about this cancer and it is maddening for the families especially when we hear the strides thay are making in cancer research on more common types.

I wish your Mom good luck with her fight. I’m always hoping and praying for a miracle.

Sharlene