Could it be bile duct cancer?

Hi Chrissy and Iris,

Sorry to barge into your conversation. My mum has been diagnosed with Klatskin about 5 weeks ago. Last Friday she had major surgery where an important part of her liver and the gallbladder were removed. She is now recovering from that and the doctor told us it's going to take a while. The past three days were very bad, but as of today she should start feeling a little better and improve day by day (doctor promissed). The prognosis isn't good because the tumor has spread towards the pancreas and the intestines. We sincerely hope that she has the stubborness of you Dutch folks, we live in Belgium. It gives me hope Iris to hear that your husband is still feeling kind of ok. Wish you both all the best

Pat

On 6/7/2007 Patty64 wrote:

Hi Chrissy and Iris,

Sorry to barge into your conversation. My mum has been diagnosed with Klatskin about 5 weeks ago. Last Friday she had major surgery where an important part of her liver and the gallbladder were removed. She is now recovering from that and the doctor told us it's going to take a while. The past three days were very bad, but as of today she should start feeling a little better and improve day by day (doctor promissed). The prognosis isn't good because the tumor has spread towards the pancreas and the intestines. We sincerely hope that she has the stubborness of you Dutch folks, we live in Belgium. It gives me hope Iris to hear that your husband is still feeling kind of ok. Wish you both all the best

Pat

Hi Pat,

Sorry to hear your mum has this terrible kind of cancer. After the unsuccessful operation the surgeon explained to us that even after so-called "successful" operations they see the patients back within 4 years with the same cancer. It is very malicious.

On the other hand I would have loved to have gained four more years with my husband. But, as I wrote before, we are living every day as a special gift. Loving the sunshine, the scent of flowers and each other.

I hope you and your family can find the strength to do so. Wishing you and your mum all the best,

Iris.

On 6/7/2007 Chrissy m wrote:

Iris, Mom doing ok but has decided to stop all treatment, at least for now.  will keep you posted.  How are things at your end

Hi Chrissy,

We had a talk with the doctor yesterday about chemo. That would not help for the bile duct cancer (Klatskin), but there would be a slight chance that it could slow down the spreading. But we are having wonderful days now, without any pain and my husband said no the the chemo. He is not choosing maybe 6 weeks longer living, but loss of quality of life.

He is very strong and calm and I am trying to be. I don't help him by crying, I do help him my loving him every minute of the day for as long as I can. To relatives, collegues and friends who are visiting us we see that our strength helps them too. We had a happy life together, got two wonderful sons who are doing well and have become social and nice men. What more could we want for?

So, overall, we are doing well. I hope that it will be the same with you and your mum. Be there when she needs you, the crying comes later. And even then still with the richness of a loving memory of what was good.

Please keep me informed about your situation. I am thinking of you.

Love, Iris.

Hi Chrissy and Iris,

Thank you both for your very kind responses. My mum is doing better. Today, for the first time in weeks, I recognized her as my mum. The stomach drain and wound drains were taking out. She smiled and so did we. And yes Chrissy I think we are a sturdy lot. Even though she is making progress at this time I know the odds and unfortunately they aren't promissing. But as you've shown me, enjoying every day that we have together is worth living.

At this time I can only hope to take her home before the 30th of June. My mum and dad will be married for 45 years then. It would be great to celebrate that at home.

Thanks again for your responses. I wish you both the very very best.

Pat

Hi Iris,

Has your doctor mentioned the use of LDN (Lowdosenaltrexone)? If you type this in in google you'll find alot of information there. From what I understand it seems to work with alot of cancers, slowing down the growth of the tumors. I am certainly going to talk to the doc who's treating my mum.

Hope your husband is still doing well. 

Dear Pat and Iris<

I am thinking of you both from across the Atlantic>  Mom turns 76 on SUnday so we are all celebrating/ This i think will be her last birhtday.  Her 75th wasin hospital after tumor had wrapped around small intestines, so i think it is a miracle that we still have her.  Hang in there all and yes, smell the flowers and love each other now. 

On 6/15/2007 Chrissy m wrote:

Dear Pat and Iris<

 

I am thinking of you both from across the Atlantic>  Mom turns 76 on SUnday so we are all celebrating/ This i think will be her last birhtday.  Her 75th wasin hospital after tumor had wrapped around small intestines, so i think it is a miracle that we still have her.  Hang in there all and yes, smell the flowers and love each other now. 

Hi Chrissy,

Thanks for your answer. We celebrated Fathers day in a nice bungalow in Belgium. We made walks in the beautiful woods, visited caves, saw Ice Age 2, talked and laughed. So, spent a very worthwhile weekend with our two sons. A weekend to remember a very long time.

Hope you had a good mothers birthday. In my heart I said hello to her and wished her all the best. Hope it helped a bit.

Please keep me informed how she is doing. She must be a very special and brave woman and she is lucky to have you and all the ones who love her. "Someone who is loved, will never be forgotten".

Love, Iris.

Pat and Iris let me know how you are doing?  mom is ok but very tired< next scan on july 16 with results on july 18>  we pray but she is throwing up alot so i fear spread>  But it may be meds,, know in a week