On 3/13/2008
DWsLittleGirl wrote:
Everything we've read and been told tells us that this is a rare cancer... if that's the case - does it seem unusual to anyone that at least 3 people within a 10 block radius in a town of 1400 people would come down with these type of tumors? Has anyone else heard or experienced this type of frequency??
There seem to be an extraordinary amount of cancers for such a small town... and not just Cholangiocarcinoma. In my family alone, my mother is fighting her second cancer (Bone; first time was Breast Cancer 25 years ago), my dad was just diagnosed with Cholangiocarcinoma and I had Leukemia (ALL) 23 years ago.
Dad has his first treatment today... actually in about 30 minutes or so. He'll be taking Gemzar too (seems like that is one of the drugs of choice per other posts I've read). We haven't been given much hope for him... but I'm still praying for a miracle.
Thank you for your post.
My sister has Cholangiocarcinoma, but I am still not convinced that it is not Pancreatic Cancer-just my non-medical opinion. I understand this cancer is rare, and to have found several cases in a small area is more rare. In the area where my sister lives, less than 2 tenths of a mile, my sister-in-law had ovarian cancer and passed, my sister bileduct cancer, still living, and a neighbor in between the two with breast cancer- (mastectomy) still living.
My sister was unable to complete the 7-week Gemzar treatment, and was able to get 4 out of the seven. Her white blood count was too low, and then her strength was gone and could not continue. She had her plastic stent replaced in her bile duct with a metal one. She ended up in the hospital at week 7 and could not continue with chemo due to weakness. The docs say the chemo was not effective for her as her CA-19-9 has increased rather than decreased. So......more prayers and more HOPE!
Hope is a must and miracles a possibility, as it is with your father.
God be with you, your dad and your family during this trial.
Blessings,
My sister's voice
eaglessoar