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Posted 3/2/2007 12:25 AM (GMT 0)
I received a call yesterday from Mayo stating that I have an appt. scheduled for March 13th for presurgical consult with the surgeon.  So apparently, they are looking at surgery SOON (excision of right lobe of liver due to cancer.)  I will have to go through all the testing again, since it's been over 5 months.  I had wanted to ask about treatment with Nexavar, but I know they don't really consider one "cured" without surgery.  This surgeon also does transplants, so he obviously knows what he is doing, but I'm still scared.     sad

Trembling in FL,

Connie

Posted 3/2/2007 1:48 AM (GMT 0)
Dear Connie,

I am happy that surgery is still an option for you. I know you must be scared out of your whits end. But you'll do fine. All of our thoughts and prayers will be with you. Hang in there :-) Pink Grandma
Posted 3/2/2007 6:39 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Connie,
While you are scared about the surgery, remember it's the next step in becoming well. We'll all be there with our prayers. Stay strong.
Marg
Posted 3/2/2007 11:45 AM (GMT 0)
Connie

Will keep you in my thoughts and prayers. Hopefully this is the last hurdle that you have to cross. Am so glad that you feel comfortable with your doctor, that is so important. Please keep us posted on all the news.

Lucy
Posted 3/3/2007 2:58 AM (GMT 0)
Wonderful news Connie:) I know its hard to not be scared,but you will be fine Connie,look at all youve been through,whew,,,,,you are a very strong woman,,,,who is going to be even stronger once they get that cancer out of you,,,,,,my prayers are with ya,as always
Posted 3/3/2007 6:31 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks, everyone, for your confidence in me and for your support. That will be a big step to get rid of the cancer. However, I still face the need for hep C treatment. I honestly don't know if I want to put my body through that. I am so dragged out all the time, though. I went to sleep around 1:30 AM yesterday AM, got up at 9, but went back to sleep an hour or so later and slept until 8 tonight. I don't have encephalopathy or cirrhosis--it's just the hepatitis causing this.

When we previously discussed liver surgery, I was told that they would take the gall bladder at the same time. Has anyone here had a cholecystectomy, and how do you have to alter your diet afterwards? Are there bowel problems after your gall bladder has been removed?

Thanks everyone,
Connie
Posted 3/3/2007 7:16 AM (GMT 0)
Connie,
I had my gallbladder out about 27 years ago. What I remember is that eating gassy foods like broccoli,beans etc bothered me. I would get very intense gas pains. After a couple of years it didn't bother me anymore. I still got gas but it didn't hurt anymore. My husband has gotten gallstones since he developed cirrohsis. Apparently it's pretty common for people with with liver disease to develope them. Hope this helps...........Pink Grandma
Posted 3/3/2007 7:34 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Connie,

Great to here the good news. I have autoimmune hep/cirrhosis end stage waiting for my third eval. will be put on the transplant list at the top due to shunting I can relate to how scared you are and I also had my gallbladder removed 24yrs ago, at first stay away from the gassy food and you will do fine. You have a wonderful chance even if you still have hep c therapy. Think positive and you will do good.
Will Pray for you!! Lots of Love and Prayers

Cheryl
Posted 3/3/2007 8:42 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks, everyone! I do not have gall stones or gall bladder problems. However, because the gall bladder is right under the right lobe of the liver, they said that it would be taken at the same time as the liver. I did do a search and they mentioned diarrhea, although it doesn't last. Also, to avoid fatty foods. I do that anyway...eat low-fat foods just for the sake of keeping weight and cholesterol down. I don't really like fried foods.

Cheryl, congratulations on your transplant list status. I pray you get a suitable liver soon.

Connie
Posted 3/4/2007 4:53 AM (GMT 0)
connie,rick had gallbladder removed,and at first he had to watch what he ate,and his bowel movements were horrible,,,,,,,,but it tapered down so hes fine as far as that goes now. congrats cheryl,,,,,,,good luck getthin this liver and getting all this over for ya.
Posted 3/4/2007 5:56 AM (GMT 0)
Trish, thanks for the input!

E-mail me!

Hugs,
Connie
Posted 3/14/2007 10:27 PM (GMT 0)
I saw the surgeon yesterday, and surgery will be either in the first 2 wks. of April or sometime in May. Next Mon., I am having a PET scan to see if the cancer has metastasized (we don't think so), and on Wed. I will have an MRI with gadolinium. I will be in the hospital for 8-10 days, but the surgeon said I would need someone to help at home for 2 weeks after that. I don't know a soul who can do it. Everyone either works or is too sick themselves. So I suggested I go directly from the hospital to the skilled nursing facility I was in after the hip surgery. Then all I will have to worry about is the cats, and I can pay my neighbor to come in and feed them, etc.

I'll post the exact surgery date when I know it myself.

Hugs to all,
Connie
Posted 3/16/2007 9:13 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Connie,
The skilled nursing facility sounds the right place after you leave hospital. I hope it all goes well for you. It'll be all over in no time. April / May is so close.
good luck. Keep us posted.

My thoughts and prayerswill be with you.
Marg
Posted 3/16/2007 4:43 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Connie,
Too bad I dont live close to ya,cause I sure would make the time to stay with you following this surgery, but at least you do have that option of the nursing facility. I hope the surgery is soon so you dont have to think about it so much,,,,,,,,take care Connie,,,,,,oh and I will email you very soon,alot going on but I have been in the middle of taking finals this week,,,,,,plus many crisises,,,,,i am on spring break next week so I will sit down and write you a short novel in email to catch ya up lol take care
Posted 3/17/2007 3:26 AM (GMT 0)
Trish, that is so sweet of you. I hope you do well with your exams. I'll be looking forward to that "novel." :)

Hugs,
Connie
Posted 3/17/2007 4:12 AM (GMT 0)
Ms. Connie,

You are in my thoughts and prayers honey! If I were there I would surely help you, for you are so very deserving!!

Blessing to you Conne!

Hugs with Love!

donna
Posted 3/17/2007 4:30 AM (GMT 0)
"Hugs with Love!"

Right back at you, Donna! You guys are the best.

C.
Posted 3/21/2007 10:10 PM (GMT 0)

Connie, I ditto donna's post! I had my gallbladder out 7 years ago, now I have IBS. Marks was removed a few year's ago, no problems with the "D". I hope your Pet Scan went well. Sorry you have to go through the surgery, but you are in very good hands. If the surgery is anything like the transplant surgery, you recover quick! The drug that is about to go into phase 3 of testing for hepC, is having good results, I know of one person that was undetectable at 6 weeks of treatment. So something to consider once it is on the market. I will continue to keep you in my prayers.

Teresa

Posted 3/21/2007 10:24 PM (GMT 0)
Wow, Teresa...that new drug sounds like it would be worth waiting for. Thanks very much for your support and prayers. The PET scan went fine, as did the MRI today. Now I will just wait to hear from the surgeon or his P.A. as to whether I am still considered operable and, if so, just when that will be. I will then have to go through blood work, EKG, etc. I also will need a PIC line. My veins are almost nonexistent, and since they will be taking a lot of blood during my hospital stay, it's best to have a good access available.

As soon as I know what the next step is, I'll post. I'm thrilled that Mark's transplant has gone so well! :)

Hugs,
Connie
Posted 3/22/2007 4:09 AM (GMT 0)

Connie, My fingers are crossed for you and saying prayers! Yes, the drug is offering shorter treatment and very good results!!! I was looking into it myself as I tested positive for HepC in January. Marks Dr. saw me along with his wonderful RNP and my viral load came back undetectable. They said my body kicked the virus, I was one of the few lucky ones. I am to be tested 2 more times before they will release me from their care. We also had Michael tested and he was negative. We have really had so much happening!

I am in just awe over how Mark is progressing!:) Excited YES!!!! yeah

Teresa

Posted 3/23/2007 3:02 AM (GMT 0)
I get goosebumps every time I read a post about Mark,Teresa,,,,I am so happy things are finally heading the right way with you two,,,,,:hugs: chalk one up for the good side:)
Posted 3/28/2007 7:03 AM (GMT 0)
Teresa, I missed your post about testing positive for hep C. So glad your body kicked it. That happened to me with hep B.

UPDATE time again: I got a surgery date, finally! April 30th! For those of you who haven't followed my story, I have chronic active hep C which caused liver cancer in the right lobe of my liver. I had chemoembolization and TheraSphere treatments to shrink the tumor and make me a surgical candidate. The tumor had been huge, but these 2 treatments killed most of it. Since some live cancer cells remain, I have agreed to have the entire right lobe of my liver excised, including the gall bladder. The liver will grow back. Meanwhile, the left lobe has grown all the way around to my side, apparently taking on the work of the damaged right lobe.

I have a lot of preparations to make and things to get done prior to surgery, but I'll be posting as usual whenever I can. I won't have Internet access for the 3 weeks I am away from home.

Connie
Posted 3/29/2007 1:23 PM (GMT 0)
Glad ya got your surgery date Connie,,,time to get this stuff over with and get on with your life...will be sending good thoughts your way.
Posted 3/30/2007 10:32 AM (GMT 0)
Good Luck Connie

Glad you got a date and can start making plans. Will be keeping positive thoughts that this is the final turn in this long journey you have been on. Keep us posted

Lucy
Posted 3/31/2007 12:47 AM (GMT 0)
Lucy, after I've recovered from surgery, I will have to decide whether or not to have hep C treatment. I know the combo is difficult. I'm unsure if I want to put my poor body through that. Something I'll have to pray about, I guess.

Connie
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