Delay In Diagnosis

My mother had her gallbladder removed in July 2005 as an emergency procedure with no previous symptoms. 4 months later she was advised that the gallbladder was cancerous and subsequent tests/operations have shown the cancer to be inoperable. Her oncologist is recommending chemo using 5-fluorouracil. Any thoughts received gratefully.
Debbie

Debbie: Your mother's situation sounds much like mine. My oncologist had me on the chemo treatment 5 FU. It may be the what is recommended for your mother. I had it in a "fanny pack" that was filled weekly for 6 weeks and continued a slow constant drip into a picc line (IV hook-up). This did not seem as harsh as the chemo delivered monthly for several hours. I had some reaction but believe it was not as heavy a blow. I had this 5 FU in conjunction with radiation for that same period of time. That was over 3 years ago. I hope your mother can defeat this. Good luck. Linda

I would like to speak with you regarding the treatment you have described. I have just been diagnosed and will begin treatment soon. I am Karen, 49 years old.

Karen: I am sorry about your recent diagnosis but hope that you can approach your treatment with optimism. During my treatment, I met and observed people undergoing chemo and/or radiation for various reasons and their attitudes were as varied as their treatments. Those who maintained a positive outlook seemed to handle the process better. Will you also be treated with the 5FU pack and radiation? How can I specifically be of help to you? Linda

Thank you for the response.
I do not want to mislead you, I am Michael, Karen's brother in law. Karen is looking to my wife and I to lead her in her treatment programs. She would really benefit from speaking directly with someone who has faced what whe will be facing. Did you have your treatment at CTCA? If yes, could you share what your experiences were? Karen has yet to meet with anyone at a treatment facility since her surgery as she is trying to regain some strength and stamina for the pending treatment.
Is contacting Karen something that you would consider? Thank you, Michael

Michael: I am willing to communicate with Karen if I can be of help but I did not receive my treatment at CTCA. I was only put in contact with them through a relative after my treatment at 2 of our local hospitals in SLC,UT. Linda

Thank you for the response and I am glad to hear that you are doing well. I am not sure what happened but if you get this or a facsimile I apologize. I am not sure if a previous message was sent or not.

The background on Karen's situation is as follows; almost 3 weeks ago she had her gall bladder removed and it was found to be cancerous. They also removed some lymph nodes (not known to any of us) and they were later found to be cancerous. Karen went to the James Cancer hospital at Ohio State University where we all thought they were going to remove lymph nodes and test them for cancer. It was then during a pre surgery consult that the cancerous lymph nodes were revealed to Karen. The surgery went as scheduled since the MRI showed that the cancer was not in any of her vital organs. Her surgeon advised that he could not remove any without putting Karen at risk. He did re-route the duodenum (sp) to help her digestive system. She has had 2 surgeries within 3 weeks. Karen wants to speak with someone who has faced something close to what she is going to face. Karen is very religious and has lead a faith directed life. Linda, if you would call her we would be grateful. Please contact my wife, Kathy or me by calling collect to --- Message edited by CancerCompass staff: for personal protection, phone number removed. Please review CancerCompass Member Guidelines at http://www.cancercompass.com/common/guidelines.html ----. We are in Ohio and look forward to hearing from you.

Karen's Family: I am willing to call and talk with Karen but I don't want to upset her or give her any input that isn't helpful. Other than the cancerous gall bladders, our situations are quite different. I don't know what Karen is going "to face" so I can't say if I can give her input in that area. I can tell her about my own chemo/radiation treatment. I am not a religous person as such but am spirtual in the sense of a lifelong Buddhist with faith in higher powers. What is it specifically that you would like help with? I have the feeling that Karen is very fragile right now, so is it uplifting hope that she needs? If you still feel I can be of help, let me know and I will call Karen at a convenient time for her. My e-mail address is --- Message edited by CancerCompass staff: for personal protection, email address removed. Please review CancerCompass Member Guidelines at http://www.cancercompass.com/common/guidelines.html ----

Thank you for the reply. Karen is somewhat fragile, more emotional than physical. She has not been advised as to what the next steps in her treatment will be.

I may be wrong, if so I apologize, but it seems based on what I have read that you had the gall bladder treatment over 3 years ago and are doing well today. I do understand the situations are different but you are as close as anyone we have been able to find who has even close to similar circumstances. Karen is looking for hope that somewhere someone has beaten the odds versus gall bladder cancer. I think you summed it best when you stated that those who approach with a positive mental outlook respond to treatment better than those who have fearful or defeated attitiude.
I will give your e mail address to Karen today. If you are concerned about what to say please feel free to contact either Kathy or me as previously communicated. we would welcome the chance to speak with you.

Kindest Regards, Michael

Michael: I have not heard from Karen via e-mail though it has been 2 weeks since your last posting. I would be happy to send her an introductory message first if you think she would be receptive. Linda