Husband was diag. on 2-27-07 with Liver Cancer. Two tumors - one 5.8 and other 3.4
Friday morning, the doctor's office called and said they thought he had a gallstone blockage and wanted him to come in for a CT. They would keep him overnight.
His reg. doctor was out of town but his partner would be there. We went to Tampa General and admitted him for the procedure. They said they were taking him him to put dye in his veins to see if they could unblock them. They thought they could put a stent in to help this and possibility go on the transplant list. He was in surgery for 4 1/2 hours and came out with tubes, drains, and bags connected to him.
They told ME (not him) that 2 of the 3 ducts are completely blocked and the portal vein is completely blocked. No chance of liver transplant, no treatment, and very little time left. They said he had some drains attached to him. Nothing about this being permanent, what these are for, etc..... I believe it is draining the bile duct out of the liver. His liver is swelled where I can see the shape just by looking at him. They said the Dr. wanted to see us Monday in his office. My husband doesn't know fully what is going on. He was so out of it all day yesterday and shocked with all these tubes, bags, and drains hanging from his stomach. I couldn't bear give him the horrible news but the partner doctor said a couple of months. I did tell him that the ducts and portal vein is blocked and the transplant is out. But he doesn't know that the one doctor said - maybe 8 weeks. Does anyone else have drains attached to the liver? What is the quality of life with these and can you offer any suggestions?
Thanks so much.