willow

Keeping you in my thoughts and prayers. That the is not a new tumor.

Do hope it’s good news from this scan. It’s nerve-wracking waiting for results. Best to you and your sister!

Holly, I forgot to mention that my sisters Dr recently told her that it appears she , like you, has a mixed / hybrid of HCC and intrahepatic CC since it seems to have characteristics of both . I think they said vascular invasion is more common in HCC than CC and also, microscopically it may have had charachyeristics of both types of primary liver cancers. so so bizzare. raises so many auestions! Oddly, the Gem-Cis shrunk the main tumor inside the liver while the one in her portal vein grew. She has seversl reslly small onex in the lived as well. Radioembolization with Y-90 is next, as soon as insurance approves it. They will only do 1/2 of the liver af a time, for safety. Even with this, they made it clear that this is not curative. Still, could really prolong her life! Like you, she’s otherwise healthy with NO predisposing risk factors.
I definitely feel for your family situation and the dramatic change it could mean for your daughter. Time is what you need to figure things out and help your daughter mature and cope. Many live well and long, treating this as a chronic illness. Praying for your successful trestments snd ultimately a surgery. Don’t give up hope!
Willow

Congrats!

How sweet, Gavin, to share this memory and acknowledge this anniversary of your fathers passing. Bless you.

Lynn,
I’m sorry you and George are having such a rough time . I don’t know the “right” answer but because I am caring for my Dad with Alzheimer’s, I can tell you that there is no harm in going along with someone’s thoughts even if they are not real. Sometimes I gently correct Dad (telling the truth so he doesnt get hopes up for something thats not happening in reality) and sometimes I just sort of agree/ go along with it or change the subject (depends on situation). The director told me another strategy is to ask more questions or details about George’s statement/idea and he may end up answering his own question or changing to a new subject. Avoid getting frustrated trying to convince him of anything he can’t grasp. Hope this helps. Keeping you both in my thoughts. Willow

Holly, thinking of you. Having children to raise really puts the fire in us to seek a cure! I have only learned if a “living donor” recently from a biography called “The Next 15 minutes by Kim Kircher. Kim’s husband is a survivor of CC and its precursor (for some) Primary Sclerosing Cholsngitis. He also has kids and is “young”. The book is from Kim’s perspective and teaches coping with crisis by dealing with them in short intervals of time. Anyway, I don’t have medical advice but do know my sister is in the same (almost) position you are in… They won’t do surgery. She has a son not quite 9 years old who knows his Mommy is sick, but not the seriousness of it. She seems “fine” except a bit tired from chemo and low blood counts. I will continue to keep you and you family in my thoughts, Holly!

I agree. Take a deep breath and wait. You still dont have the full inderstanding of why they may not be able to safely do surgery and your Dad still has not gotten his treatment plan (at the current hospital) in place yet. It can take many days, often weeks to meet with each specialist and have all the tests done. Wait until you have talked to the oncologist. Sometimes chemotherapy cam be a safer alternative rather than surgery (that was the case with my sister) is what will be recommended. Sometimes they recomend radiation. Unfortunately, most cases of advanced CC cannot be safely and successfully surgically treated right away and there are many other types of treatments they may recommend.
Also, if eventually you decide to get another opinion, the hospital can fax your Dads records (all test results and CT scans etc,) to the new Dr/hospital his evaluation instead of physically taking your Dad there.
Take Care, Willow