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