I must have continued this on another thread, but for continuities' sake I will update here.
I had the TheraSphere last Wed. and it went well. They kept me for about 3 hours afterwards. Sides have been minimal: Mostly night sweats, increased fatigue, and lack of appetite. I'm eating, but nothing heavy.
I was told I would come in for an MRI and to see the radiologist and go over everything in about a month. However, it takes 3 months to see the full effect of the treatment.
Apparently, I misunderstood. I didn't think I would need surgery if all the tumor dies from the treatments. However, the radiologist is recommending having the entire right lobe of my liver removed. The cancer is not throughout my liver or in the left lobe...just in a hiuge tumor which is now at least 90% dead, plus a piece of it that metastasized to the inferior vena cava and is now dead. I've been upset since I heard about the surgery. That is a high-risk surgery, especially as far as hemorrhage. I don't know how long recovery will be, but I always take longer than the norm to recover from surgery...even an extraction. I have read that the hepatectomy is being done laparoscopically, and that would make a huge difference. I will have a lot of questions when I return. I'm sure a consult will be set up with the surgeon, also. I saw him last Oct., but at that time I was considered inoperable.
I really don't have much of a life, being primarily homebound and unable to walk without crutches--plus always in chronic pain from the left hip and chronically fatigued from the hep C. I would need to get treatment for that, too. I really need to get that surgery--hip revision--but I take up to a year to recover from such a surgery (I've had 2 hip replacements and one revision already, so I know.)
I don't know how much more my body can take (or my pocketbook, either, as I will need even more assistance at home.)
I'm just venting, and I know I should be grateful that I am alive to write this...and I am. I just feel very overwhelmed right now.
Hugs,
Connie