surfer1
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We met with Dr. Imagawa this morning. He confirmed that chemo has been doing its job and has shrunk the tumor about 20-25% (it was 6 cm and it is now 4.7 cm). He is very pleased with the result and how my husband has tolerated chemo.
He said surgery still isn’t possible at this point. The tumor is still too close to some major veins (the inferior vena cava and left hepatic vein) that are vital for successful resection. He wants him to do two more months of chemo to try and shrink it more and hopefully get it further away from those veins and then have another scan. If it shrinks more, we will be closer to surgery.
We will also pursue a second opinion of course.
So glad the tumor is shrinking and hopefully February will bring surgery. I’d like that to be my valentine’s gift:)
Thanks for all the good wishes and please keep them coming!
Thanks for the replies. Yes, I’ve kept a notebook since the beginning and write down notes for every test, scan, dr appt, chemo treatment, symptoms, etc. It has been helpful keeping everything straight. I also use it to write down questions that come to either of us so they are ready for the next time we see the doctor. I recommend it for all caregivers.
Thanks Lainy and Percy for your replies. Dr. Imagawa is a liver specialist (http://www.faculty.uci.edu//profile.cfm?faculty_id=4828) and treats cc.
Also, Is there a place in this website that defines some of the acronyms? Specifically, I’m looking for what RFA, IRE, IMRT, and SBRT are.
Congratulations! What great news. Your update brings hope to those of us who have had family members recently diagnosed.
Cici, my husband has started chemo (gem/cis) and has tolerated it well. His only side effect is minor fatigue and constipation. Before we started, I read what to expect and expect to bring. Lots of the suggestions for a chemo care package aren’t really needed. What we found is that the nurses are very knowledgeable and tell you what they are administering (hydration, steroids, Gemzar, cisplatain, etc.) and what each one was for and possible side effects. There is no real physical pain, except the prick when they put the iv in. It was scary and emotional but each time it gets easier to cope.
I would bring the following:
*a water bottle and make sure she drinks the whole time. It helps protect your kidneys
*blanket-the ones they have are thin and don’t help much
*food. His infusions are 5-6 hours. Keeping some food in your belly will help keep nausea at bay. We have found soup in a thermos works best. It helps with the bowel issues and it helps warm him. The room is cold and the fluids are cooler than your body temperature so drinking warm liquids helps
*book, iPad with Netflix, magazine, etc. it’s a long process and you need something to pass the time. My parents got us a netflix subscription which has been great for him to pass the time. I bring my hand sewing projects.I also make sure I have a dinner in the crockpot so it is ready when we get home. Sitting all day drains you and the last thing you want to do is cook.
Good luck and take care. We are all thinking of your daughter and family as you go through this.
.Our plan is to see how the scan goes in November and the follow up meeting with Dr. Imagawa. If surgery is recommended, I’m not sure we need a second opinion since he seems to be knowledgeable/experienced in CC. If he doesn’t recommend surgery we will definitely get a second opinion. I guess I better start working with our insurance to see if we can be seen at USC(currently they don’t contract with them). If not it will be out of pocket or go to UCLA.
Thanks for all the input.
Thank you all for the replies and well wishes. The support means a lot, especially since no one other than those here seem to know about this terrible disease. We are taking it one day at a time and thought all was going well since he hasn’t had any major side effects. However this week his blood counts are down so he couldn’t have his chemo treatment which seems like such a setback. I’m sure it is typical though. We will try again next week.
Thanks again for the support. I check the site often and it has been a tremendous source of information.
