Dad is getting evaluated to be approve to be sent to a transplant center.

That's a great suggestion David. Thanks.

3.0 mm = .30 centimeters

Connie, 

Can the measurements from different imaging be that off by such an amount?  There's a big difference between 2.8 cm and 3 mm.

Ultrasound  = 2.8 cm & 2.5 cm (two spots)

CT Scan = 4.8 cm (looks like 1 spot)

MRI = 3 mm ( 1 spot)

Also, my dad's GFR improved to 36 after they hydrated him yesterday so they ordered the MRI for this afternoon.  Hopefully they can send him home after the MRI and be home for Thanksgiving.

I hope so Connie. They are doing the MRI at this moment and going to discharge him.

Thing, they will likely do a chemoembolization to keep the tumor under 5 cm.

Hugs,
Connie

I've had chemoembolization twice, both at Mayo by a rock star interventional radiologist I got something by IV that was relaxing, but didn't knock me out...so "conscious sedation." I kept dozing off and the doc kept waking me up.

A catheter is introduced in the groin and threaded up to the tumor, using guided imaging. Then the chemo is introduced. It's an outpatient procedure. I believe they kept me an hour or so afterwards for monitoring and someone had to be there with me. The first time I had this done, I had some pain for a couple of days. Was told it was the tumor shrinking. I took Lortab, which I take anyway for joint pain. I also had little appetite.

The 1st chemoembolizaton was more bothersome than the 2nd one. That may be because the first time the tumor was huge: 12 cm x 11.5 cm. The 2nd chemo was done when the tumor was 4.9 and I had everything done for transplant evaluation. This was the last thing on their list. So I suspect that they may do the same with your dad--do the chemoemobolization prior to placing him on the waiting list. Neither procedure was really painful...just annoying.

Hugs,
Connie

I don't recall it being overnight, but not sure. I'd have to go back to my Pre-transplant Evaluation on here.

No, it doesn't actually kill the tumor. It shrinks it. With the first chemoembolization I had, it was shrunk to about 8.7 cm x 7. I then participated in a study drug, TheraSphere (microscopic beads of radiation, introduced the same way.) That killed the cancer, but also my entire rt. lobe, which was removed a couple of months later. I did well for 4 yrs., but then developed a new tumor on the left lobe. That's when I was told I would need a transplant.

Hugs,
Connie

Met with the radiologist yesterday and they're going to shrink the tumor with chemoembolization.  Just got a call from them today and they have a cancellation tomorrow, so we're going to take that appointment because next available is in January.  Treatment is scheduled for 1 pm but they want him there by 9 am so they can hydrate him before the procedure to help his kidneys and will stay overnight.  Hope everything goes smoothly and a good recovery.

Connie,

Your second tumor was 4.9 cm, do you remember how much it shrinked by after the chemoembolization?

Tampa General Hospital is the transplant hospital in the St petersburg FL area. Claudias husband had a transplant there. . if FL is your choice and your family is in st pete, its 30 minutes to TGH from there.

Good Luck!!

Thing, the sleepiness is normal. The chemo is starting to work and it makes one wiped out for about a week. If he doesn't feel like eating, that's normal as well.

Hugs,
Connie

In the hospital after transplant, I drank Glucerna. This is actually for diabetics and I had steroid-induced diabetes at that time. Once home, I switched to Carnation Essentials (aka Instant Breakfast), which was recommended by my transplant coordinator. I had switched to soy milk in the hospital and continued on it to this day. The Carnation is very tasty in it, but you can use whatever milk he likes or can have. It has all the necessary vitamins and minerals.

Hugs,
Connie