My Mom

I do not hear too much about gallbladder cancer. I am told it is rare, my mom was diagnosed in June, with no prior symptoms. They removed her gallbladder and found it had spread to the liver and her bile ducts. They inserted stents to help the bile drain. She has had a bag on since then. They tried chemo, with no success. She had a stroke last month which effected her speech and her right side. Then last week she had another mini stroke. They did another MRI and they said the cancer has spread all over the liver and they gave her 1 to 2 months to live. We had to call in Hospice, she is home now and we all take turns caring for her. She is 75 years old, and has been healthy her entire life. Everyone tells us that gallbladder cancer is very rare and there are no cures. It is very hard to just watch her die. Anyone with any information or other help out ther please reply. Thanks,

Carol

Dear Carol,
I was sad to read your post about your mom. I am 53 and had a routine gallbladder removal 1 year ago and then we were all stunned by the cancer diagnosis. I had one large golf ball sized gallstone (which now I learn was an indicator of high risk). I then had a very radical abdominal surgery at OHSU in Portland. They feel they got "clear margins". It has taken months for me to get well enough to begin phys therapy (complications from peritonitis from the original laproscopic surgery). I have researched and read a lot and was hoping to find something I could do proactively for myself rather than waiting for the CT scans and bloodwork every 3-4 months. I am taking an alternative product called protocel. I have put the various web info in one email so if you are interested in seeing that, I would gladly email it to you. It gives me some hope because of the other survivors that I have personally spoken with, and that is what I was looking for. What was so compelling to me is that the biochemist and the survivors are willing to share information but without any selling or monetary benefit for themselves. I wish you and your mom the very best.
Cali in Oregon

It is to late for my Mom now. Her cancer has spread rapidly, she is dehydrating, she cannot swallow and eat anything. Her body is shutting down. It is so sad to see her. She is down to about 90lbs, and all we can do now is try to keep her comfortable.

Thank you for responding, and good luck with your condition. I hope they find a cure soon for this terrible cancer.

Good Luck,

Carol

Hi Carol,
Thanks for your note, I am so very sorry to hear about what is happening with your mom.

Sincerely,
Cali

Dear Carol

I am writing to let you know that I feel your pain, but please don't question the fact.

Your mother had cancer, so be it.

We are all going to die, but the only difference is that you know in advance what will make her die.

Take my advice and try to make it easy for her, no one knows when she is going, but try to enjoy each and every moment you spend with her as will all be memories later on.

Tell her she did good in her life and that you are all there for her, she deserves it.

By the way; I lost my mother 30 days ago because of Colon cancer...May God be with you.

Shaamel

Thank you for your words. My Mom passed away last night. I told her I loved her and that it was okay for her to go and be in a better place where there was no more pain.

I know she is in heaven now.

God Bless you.

Carol

I have never found a posting specifically aimed at gallbladder cancer so when I stumbled upon this one I had to check it out. I was sorry to read of Carol's mother's passing, however your message rang a bell with me. I am 59 and was diagnosed with cholangiocarcinoma (gallbladder) 2 1/2 years ago. Like you, I went in for a laproscopic removal of my gallbladder. I had a sonargram (sp) prior to the surgery and they noticed something on my liver. So, a month later, I went back to have that growth removed. Like you, we were blown away by the fact that it was cancerous and had spread. The surgeon cut away all the cancer he could see (7 hour surgery) and I underwent chemo and radiation therapy to track down microscopic cancer cells left. Anyway, I was given 4+ months by my oncologist. That was over 2 years ago. As I was given no hope, I have just been going in every 3 months for the scans and bloodwork like you mentioned. So now that I have a more optimistic outlook, I am interested in the protocel you talked about. Thank you. Linda/Salt Lake City

Hello...my mother was diagnosed in late October with gb cancer...she had surgery on the 6th of Dec. and all they removed was her gallbladder...it had spread to her liver and bile duct...her oncologist said with or without chemo he would say 6 months, give or take a couple months. Would love to hear who your doctor was and where he was located, and also any treatments or surgeries that you have had...hope to hear from you soon...thank you so much...Scott

Hello. My mother also has gb cancer and I would like to talk with you if you don't mind...would like to hear about what you have experience and possibly offer any hope or encouragement...it has also spread to her liver and bile duct...any info you could offer would be very appreciated...thank you very much...scott

Hi Linda,

I'm responding to your note at Cancer Compass. So weird isn't it to actually find any postings that sounds familiar to your own experience? Yours and mine sound very familiar! I have some information that I would gladly forward to you in the hopes that it might resonate with you about what I have been doing to hopefully help to save my life.

My heart goes out to you. Take care,
Cali