What To Expect Post Surgery

As I posted a few days ago, my 38 year old sister was diagnosed with stage 1 kalatskin tumor in the bile duct. The drs. now want to do a liver resectioning and to take out the tumor with some of the liver and then some chemo. (we are in Sloan K.)

I would like some imput if possible from anyone who went through or cared for someone who underwent this surgery. We are told it should last 7-8 hours and my sister will be hospitalized 3 weeks. But what can we expect in terms of pain, incontinence, ability to eat or get off the bed. Also what about "normal" glitches like infections and stent clogging?

 They just put her in a bilial catheter to get her #s down to do the surgery.

Thank you and G-d bless.

On 1/24/2008 Bayla wrote:

As I posted a few days ago, my 38 year old sister was diagnosed with stage 1 kalatskin tumor in the bile duct. The drs. now want to do a liver resectioning and to take out the tumor with some of the liver and then some chemo. (we are in Sloan K.)

I would like some imput if possible from anyone who went through or cared for someone who underwent this surgery. We are told it should last 7-8 hours and my sister will be hospitalized 3 weeks. But what can we expect in terms of pain, incontinence, ability to eat or get off the bed. Also what about "normal" glitches like infections and stent clogging?

 They just put her in a bilial catheter to get her #s down to do the surgery.

Thank you and G-d bless.

Hello Bayla,

Your sister is very lucky to have discovered the Klatskin Tumor so early.

If there is any good news about a KT it's being in stage 1  Your sisters' doctor is correct in planning for a liver resection...surgery is the only option to correct a K Tumor.  And by the way your sister is in a great hospital with very good doctors.  Chemo after surgery is sometimes in the offing, especially if they think a few lymph nodes are infected. The cancer sometimes is in a micro size and can not be seen by the doctor.  Your doctor my want to wait until they do a PET/CTscan say in 90 to 120 days from surgery brfore doing any chemo and/or radiation therapy. If the PET/CTscan shows another tumor you may want to suggest to your sisters doctor 25 treatments of 3/D Conformal Radiation with 5 treatments of Cyberknife Radiation.

My wife was in stage 2-B and her surgery took 12 hours, if they say 7 to 8 hours that's good, but expect a little more. She may be in ICU for 2 days plus...all depends how the surgery goes

Three weeks stay is also a very good call, pain comes with all surgery's, the incision area will be large, like a upside down T.  At first eating won't be one of your sister's favorite things to do, but in time after she starts feeling better eating will be routine. Most likely they will want her to start walking after a good 5 days of rest...walking will not be easy, your sister will be weak and walking will be difficult in the begining. 

Unfortunitly infections come with the territory.  But I would suggest you cross that bridge when the time is right.  I have a lot of information regarding bile catheter drain systems and clogging issues, this is a never ending battle. But your sister is in stage 1, so the issues may not be that difficult 

Well, good luck with the surgery...ask questions...do you home work regarding the Klatshin Tumor issue. Just type it out in Google and you will know more than you ever wanted to know. The trick is not to overload yourself.

Talk to you later...Leonard from Alamo California   

On 1/24/2008 Bayla wrote:

As I posted a few days ago, my 38 year old sister was diagnosed with stage 1 kalatskin tumor in the bile duct. The drs. now want to do a liver resectioning and to take out the tumor with some of the liver and then some chemo. (we are in Sloan K.)

I would like some imput if possible from anyone who went through or cared for someone who underwent this surgery. We are told it should last 7-8 hours and my sister will be hospitalized 3 weeks. But what can we expect in terms of pain, incontinence, ability to eat or get off the bed. Also what about "normal" glitches like infections and stent clogging?

 They just put her in a bilial catheter to get her #s down to do the surgery.

Thank you and G-d bless.

Hello Bayla,

This is Leonard from Alamo California.  Last night I responded to your message but due to a Cancer Compass error I don't think the message was sent to you.

Go to the main message board and click on your message and scroll down to view my message.

Hope your sister is doing better this morning.

Leonard 

Leonard, thanks so much for your reply. Errors and all, I read your message on Friday afternoon, so I guess it went through and all.

 Thank G-d she's doing OK now and her #s are going downward and we have to brace ourselves during the calm before the storm.

I'll be in touch as things go along. Thanks so much

Mom had liver resection at Thomas Jefferson with Dr. Yeo.  She also had a distal panc. and gallbladder removal.  This was on 1/4/08.  He has a protocol that is mind boggling.  She was out of bed and walking the next day.  He demands this. She was in the hospital for 5 days.  His average is 6-7.  She didn't need meds other than an occasional motrin at home!.  she did have a minor bladder infection from the cath and was given antibiotics for 5 days at home.  She is back on the treadmill.

I know this sounds crazy, but he demand his patients work out in a gym every day before the surgery or  he won't do it.  Maybe this is what made it go so well.  Mom had done chemo for the 7 months prior. 

By the way, Mom turned 80 in December.  

Wishing you the best.

Amy

Amy, I was really amazed to read what you posted since most of the people with whom I've spoken had much longer hospital stays and recuperation times. Aside from having the patients excersize before surgery, does Dr. Yeo do any thing else? Are there homeopathic drugs involved? I find it astounding!

P.S. Where is Thomas Jefferson?

Dr. Charles Yeo is chief of surgery at Thomas Jefferson Hospital in Philadelphia.  He is a John Hopkins trained surgeon and absolutely top in his field.  The Phone number should you want it is  215-955-9402. His secretary is Michele.   He has developed a protocol over many years and every attending/resident refers to the "book" to answer every and all questions.  He leaves no room for error and demands the best from all staff.  You can read about his thoughts through various articles and interviews on the hospital website. I would recommend having at least a consult with him before any decision is made.  Having access to so many hospitals, including Hopkins,  we never questioned the man to do this operation.   He is the only Doctor after a year of chemo to tell us that the mass on Mom's pancreas was a benign cyst and not a malignant tumor.  We had 3 pathologist review the slides and all said pancreatic cancer.  He is the only doc that said it wasn't. 

I wish you the best at such a difficult time.  Remember, miracles do happen.  It just may take the right doc to help it along.

Amy