On 1/17/2008 JamiefromGA wrote:
My mom is scheduled for an appt with the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, FL on 1-28-08 She has inoperable cholangiocarcinoma that has gone to her lymph nodes and liver already. Two stents were successfully placed last week in Albany, GA and the jaundice & itching are gone! Her bilirubin was 18 and is down to 4.5 now! We continue to pray for a miracle. We were told 4-6 months is her life expectancy. Does anyone know anything about Dr. George Kim at the Mayo? That's who we're praying will be able to help her.
Hi Jamie,
This is Leonard, I didn't see this message before I responded to your January 11 message.
Glad to hear about the appointment at the Mayo Clinic. Okay, the situation sounds bad, but it's not surprising. It all depends on the doctor and how he intends to handle the surgery...hopefully surgery is an option. The bilirubin count (18) is very, very high...even 4.5 is high. My wife just prior to surgery had a 5.2 count and they moved ASAP to handle the issue. They gave her 6 to 8 weeks is surgery was not an option. Karen did not have it in the liver but it was in the biliary tree as well as 3 lymph nodes. I don't know anything about Dr. George Kim at Mayo, but I'm sure if he practices at Mayo he has good credentials...I will look him up and get back to you.
Talk to you later...Leonard from Alamo, CA