We met with Dr. Fuller the surgical oncologist today. The best option right now is to have a liver resection where they would take 60 percent of my liver and remove the tumor. Unfortunately, the tumor is nestled in a bad location and Dr. Fuller can not be 100 percent sure he can get of all it without damaging both main bile ducts. One of the two must stay intact to survive. He is going to consult with another surgical oncologist, Dr. Fleming, that specializes in livers and decide if they will move forward. I am scheduled for surgery next Thursday assuming Dr. Fleming gives it a green light. The plan would be for them to first look laproscopically and see if all the disease can be removed. If it looks good they will continue with the resection.
We are praying really hard that they can do the resection. It will be a hard recovery, but even with removing 60 percent of the liver, it should regenerate in 6-8 weeks!
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
Desserts No More
Most of you are very familiar with my love of desserts. 99% of the time I would rather just skip dinner and have something sweet, so my new knowledge is very disturbing.
I was given a sheet to prep for the upcoming PET scan and it detailed that for 36 hours before I am not to eat any sugar or refined carbs. I figured I could do anything for one day. Refined carbs, no problem; no sugar, fine but only for 36 hours. Still curious about the diet, I asked why you couldn't have these two items. Apparently, the way the PET detects cancer in the body is by locating areas that consume large amounts of glucose. What!!! Not only am I saddened by the fact that I simply have to cut most sugar out of my diet from now on, but really annoyed that my cancer has been enjoying my desserts!
I started reading Anticancer and it is a great book. It is an easy, interesting read for anyone, cancer or not. It details how all of us have cancer cells in our body and how diet changes can fuel or starve these wild cells.
I was given a sheet to prep for the upcoming PET scan and it detailed that for 36 hours before I am not to eat any sugar or refined carbs. I figured I could do anything for one day. Refined carbs, no problem; no sugar, fine but only for 36 hours. Still curious about the diet, I asked why you couldn't have these two items. Apparently, the way the PET detects cancer in the body is by locating areas that consume large amounts of glucose. What!!! Not only am I saddened by the fact that I simply have to cut most sugar out of my diet from now on, but really annoyed that my cancer has been enjoying my desserts!
I started reading Anticancer and it is a great book. It is an easy, interesting read for anyone, cancer or not. It details how all of us have cancer cells in our body and how diet changes can fuel or starve these wild cells.
Friday, August 26, 2011
First Oncology Appointment
I had my first appointment with the oncologist today. Dr. Chadha was really great. Apparently my biopsy was so unusual that it went for further review at the Mayo Clinic. A few of the pathologists looked at it as well as the Chair of Pathology. It just so happened they wrote Dr. Chadha a letter and he literally received it via email before he walked into my appointment. Mayo believes that it is bile duct cancer and based upon the tests I have done Dr. Chadha concurs. This is a HUGE difference for me. They believe that the liver/bile ducts are the primary site which means that is is not metastasized.
Next week, I have a PET scan to verify that it has not spread and that the current thinking is correct. Of equal importance, I meet with the oncology surgeon next week to determine if the tumor is resectable. We are praying really hard the the PET comes back clean everywhere else and that it can be resected.
Eric and I really appreciate all the kind calls and notes. It has made this nightmare of a week a little easier. We plan on hanging out with the girls this weekend and trying to live as normal as possible. Hayden got a Dora kick board and is pumped to bring it to the pool tomorrow!
Next week, I have a PET scan to verify that it has not spread and that the current thinking is correct. Of equal importance, I meet with the oncology surgeon next week to determine if the tumor is resectable. We are praying really hard the the PET comes back clean everywhere else and that it can be resected.
Eric and I really appreciate all the kind calls and notes. It has made this nightmare of a week a little easier. We plan on hanging out with the girls this weekend and trying to live as normal as possible. Hayden got a Dora kick board and is pumped to bring it to the pool tomorrow!
Thursday, August 25, 2011
More Data Collection
A quick update for today- the upper and lower GI tract are all clear. Not really a good or bad sign, just another data point. We meet with my Oncologist tomorrow and should have at least a short term plan forward.
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
Procedures and Diet
Tomorrow I have a few procedures to see if they can find the primary source. I am ready to get some answers on what it is or isn't. As many of your know, I am not known for my patience and this journey is definitely going to be an exercise in that!
For now, I am working when I do not have appointments and that helps get my mind focused on something else which is nice.
I have also spent a lot of time researching what the best diet is to aid all of the upcoming surgeries and/or treatments. When I was describing them to Eric he was less then thrilled but totally on board. He didn't seem to understand why BBQ wasn't on the list.
For now, I am working when I do not have appointments and that helps get my mind focused on something else which is nice.
I have also spent a lot of time researching what the best diet is to aid all of the upcoming surgeries and/or treatments. When I was describing them to Eric he was less then thrilled but totally on board. He didn't seem to understand why BBQ wasn't on the list.
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
The Beginning
Two weeks ago, I had a CT scan done and they incidentally found a large mass in my liver. After an MRI and a biopsy last week, we were told the mass was malignant. My doctor then told me that it was not liver cancer and we needed to find the origin of the cancer. I immediately knew we had a long, hard road ahead of us. I started this blog so family and friends could keep up to date on my journey.
The next step is to find where the cancer started and to work with the Oncologist to formulate a path to move forward. Eric and I feel very blessed to have so much family and support close to us.
The next step is to find where the cancer started and to work with the Oncologist to formulate a path to move forward. Eric and I feel very blessed to have so much family and support close to us.
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