tstewart4128

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  • in reply to: Just in Shock!!! #35637
    tstewart4128
    Member

    hi Jeff.. im sorry you had to join our group. My mom was diagnosed in November 09 with a inoperable klaskin tumor with mets to the liver and lung. She is currently on a chemo cocktail of gezmer/clisplatin and is on her 4th round. Im know things seem really bad at first, especially when you start reading things online and its definitly a rollar coaster but you will find alot of good news and good messages on this board. My mother is doing fairly well with her treatments and seems to be responding to the chemo which will open other doors for other types of treatment. Although there is no cure at the moment, you will see that you need to take it day by day. There are new trials all of the time and maybe raising awareness for this type of cancer is something that we all need to do so that early detection can be something that happens more often! Jeff – I am still in shock, my mom is 63 and was healthy before she turned yellow. She lives next door to me and just moved to Florida a few years ago to watch my kids grow up.. i wake up every morning and pinch myself and hope this is a just a nightmare. I totally understand where ur coming from. We are here for u and please look through this website.. it has helped me get through so much these past few months. We are with u all the way!!! Keep us posted.

    in reply to: New diagnosis of CC- so many questions! #35255
    tstewart4128
    Member

    My mother was diagnosed in November 2009. SHe was originally told the tumor was resectable and once she went into surgery, they found she had mets to both lobes of the liver. From there they stopped the surgery and suggested she begin chemotherapy immediately. She is currently doing a chemo combo of gezmar and cisplatin and it seems to be working ok for now. Her blood levels are stable, shes in no pain, and she tolerating the chemo well expect for being tired. She had her first petscan last week and there was also a 3cm met to her lung. Since my mother has decided to fight this and not give in, we dont ask how long rather whats next? Anything could happen to anyone at anytime.. one day at a time. FOr now, my mom is here with her family and her grandchildren, shes feeling relatively well and i bless everyday we have together. Please keep us posted and you will see alot of miracles on this sight and it truely does give you something to hope for. Take care

    in reply to: The love of my live….is gone #35200
    tstewart4128
    Member

    Im so sad for you. My heart is breaking for you. Im really sorry

    in reply to: Off to Orlando GI ASCO #34821
    tstewart4128
    Member

    When is the conference? Im in the Tampa area and have no problem coming and helping out.

    in reply to: Guidance – Bile Duct Cancer #34713
    tstewart4128
    Member

    My mother was disgnosed with this in early November 2009. We were originally told that she can have surgery because none of the CT Scans showed any mets. She went to NY and consulted with Sloan Ketterin and Mt. Sinai and choose a surgeon. When he went in to do the surgery they found the cancer had spread to both sides of the liver and closed her up. From there we were told that chemo is her option right now. She decided to come back to Florida (where she lives) and we are now seeking treatment at Moffitt Cancer Center. She is on a combo of chemo Gezmer and Cisplatin and just finished her 2nd dose. Shes doing ok and holding up so far. We have an appointment with the Mayo Clinic in Florida in early Feb just to see what other treatments they might offer if the chemo does not work. Good luck with your journey. Im sorry you had to join this group but you will find strength and its a great support system on this site. Please keep us posted. God Bless!

    in reply to: Scan coming up next week… #33975
    tstewart4128
    Member

    I will be praying for a great scan!!! Fingers crossed!!! :)

    in reply to: My mom was just diagnosed with CC #33991
    tstewart4128
    Member

    Hi Scraggles

    Your situation sounds alot like my moms. She is 62 and was diagnosed in Dec after an unsuccessful surgery. Mets found on both lobes of the liver. She starts the same type of chemo as your mom on Thursday morning. Right now though shes tired alot, in alot of pain (from the surgery) and just feeling kinda down. Hows she doing with the chemo? Thats what we are all nervous about with my mom… keep us posted!! God Bless!

    in reply to: Good CT scan, yayy! #33759
    tstewart4128
    Member

    That such great news!!!! Have a Merry Christmas!!

    in reply to: Introduction #33864
    tstewart4128
    Member

    Hi and welcome. My mother was recently diagnosed with stage 4 cc. She was in NY consulting with Sloan and did have surgery. Unfortunetly, once they got in there was mets on her liver. Everything is still small, no huge tumors and like you sad she pretty much feels fine. Shes still sore from the surgery but is going to be starting the same type of chemo as you on Dec 31st. She lives in Florida and is having her treatments at Moffitt Cancer Cener. We are also consulting with Mayo Clinic.
    I wish you the best. You sound like you have a great additude and alot to live for and I have read stories on this board of people with stage 4 kicking it and living their lives. There is always hope. Please keep on posted. Have a great holiday.

    in reply to: Moms visit today #33858
    tstewart4128
    Member

    I would like any recommendations for physicans in Florida that have dealt with this. I liked Dr. Springett but from what he said he seemed like this combo of chemo was her only choice and if that didnt work then there was nothing else. That scared me because I never want to give up or have her give up. The other thing that scared us was that he used numbers and percentages and my mom cannot hear things like that. I believe that no one is a number and no one should be looked at like a statistic. Ive read many stories in which people had no treatment and survived longer then expected. I expressed this in the examination room before he could continue with his speech on percentages. He got the point and stopped talking about it. immediately and was great from that point. Thank you all so much and please anyone with recomendations for Florida doctors that would deal with this type of cancer would be great. In the meantime we will start chemo on Dec 31st with hopes of good results.

    in reply to: Help!!! #33586
    tstewart4128
    Member

    My sister is in NY and my mom is there now. Shes saying she wants to come back to FLorida but Im not sure where to start. We live in the Tampa Bay area. I feel more comfortable having her go to Sloan-Mt. Sinai but its her decision. Im just trying to find her the best down here. Thanks

    in reply to: Mom had unsuccessful surgery yesterday #33564
    tstewart4128
    Member

    Perfect timing. I JUST received an email last night from DR. Myron Schwartz at Mt. Sinai in NYC. He was very helpful when I was researching resection vs. transplant for my mother this past summer. I emailed him again regarding my mother’s sucessful transplant at the Mayo. Here is part of his email response:

    “We have decided to establish a transplant protocol here in NY, a collaboration between Memorial Sloan-Kettering and Mount Sinai wherein patients will receive the neoadjuvant treatment at Memorial, and the transplant (usually living donor) at Mount Sinai. “

    I don’t know how soon this collaboration is starting, but if you are already at Sloane, it would not hurt to ask them about this joint venture. I was so happy to receive Dr. Schwartz’s news because this opens up options for CC transplants in the Northeast :-)

    in reply to: Question about liver transplant #33592
    tstewart4128
    Member

    My mom has a growth in the bile duct but when the doctors went in to do a ressection they saw what looked like sand sized spots on the top of the liver. The surgeon advised us that chemo is our only option at this point. I read other stories on this message board about people having 80% of their livers taken out, I dont understand why he couldnt do it. Is there something I could be missing?

    For those of you who may have experience with the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, what has your experience been? Im not sure if my mom should come to FLorida or stay in New York and consult with Sloan Ketterin again.

    This is a nightmare!

Viewing 13 posts - 1 through 13 (of 13 total)