On 3/13/2008
Solutions wrote:
On 3/13/2008
Maurice wrote:
On 3/13/2008
Solutions wrote:
Hello Maurice,
I noticed in your message you indicated you have been searching the web and reading about your brother's situation. If I'm assuming correctly, then you are fully aware that a Klatskin Tumor is a very serious situation.
Due to the fact that his doctor said the tumor was inoperable, this in itself is not good. It may be the stent was inserted to allow the bile to flow out of his liver and give him a little better quality of life. Miracles can and do happen, but when a Klatskin Tumor is inoperable, it may mean it a lot more than the two tumors in the Hepatic ducts...the cancer may have spread to other organs.
Radiation Therapy as well as Chemo are usually not the first approach to control this type of cancer tumor. If he feels like the akelein diet will help, allow him to do it.
I'm very sorry to hear what your brother is going through, keep in mind...it may get a lot worse and harder for him and the family.
Good luck and take care of yourself....it's a very deadly illness.
Leonard, Alamo California
Hi Leonard,
I truly appreciate your response. Yes, you are correct..the stent(s) were utilized to provide a better quality of life...and to allow the bile to flow...It's a 'heck" of a situation - he just turned 50 last October - great physical shape, non-smoker. One of his daughters is getting married in June - I'm trying in a positive way to suggest moving the wedding up - so her dad can watch her being married and maybe even travel down the isle together...Tough thing to suggest - but I'm trying to be realistic- as it would be better to have him there than not...I appreciate your listening / chattin' with me..as I feel I can be quite upfront..
The doctors have explained it's almost like shaking a dandelion - and thats how the cancer is spreading..like fingers extending..
Of course, I'm very concerned for my brother's family - but also my Mom - as this is not a normal 'flow' - of how life should go...
What I have read so far - the survival time - is more short than long..in this situation....I just want to hang on to HOPE but also with an element of reality as well...
Leonard - All the best of wishes and prayers to you and your wife...
Sincerely,
Maurice
Maurice...Thanks you for the kind thoughts for my wife and I.
You seem to be abrest of the situation...yes it is hard...damn hard, but you need to stay strong, most of the family won't and they may even get a little angry with you, don't be surprised if that happens, especially your mom...she really only wants to hear good news.
It's also a very good idea about the wedding schedule...move it up, way up. Once this damn cancer take hold it's down hill rapidly.
You mentioned your brother is only 50 and in good health...My wife was 53 and worked out everyday and in very good health. My wife was very lucky, they saw it in her blood test at her regular annual physical. If her doctor wasn't agressive about the lab work results, she wouldn't be here. This is a real deadly cancer.
You mentioned the survival time could be short, you're correct. My wife was only in stage IIB and that's not far into the staging, but she was given only 6 to 8 weeks...that's right weeks not months...she was very lucky that two doctors at UCSF had the guts to for surgery...without surgery...it's only time.
Well Maurice, I'm sorry all this is coming down on your brother and your family.
Good luck and wishing you and your entire family well.
Leonard
Good Morning Leonard,
Thanks for your detailed response to my last email - tagged onto Bayla's area of the message centre...(still trying to figure the site out)
First of all - I really sincerely thank you for sharing your experiences and information - greatly appreciated. I didnt' get the opportunity to visit my brother this weekend - but will be travelling there on Friday the 21st - Good Friday - to see him again. I have been told the infection is still there - but his fever has come down - temperature normal. He has a lot of abdominal pain - I'm wondering if this is becuase of the hospital bed..Still no appetite - according to one of my other brothers ( I have 4 in total).
I do have a question(s) - Yes - as you assumed he does have an internal stent - Do these have to be drained manually -- or ?? And..when your white blood cell count goes up - is that becuase your body is fighting infection...
I'm thinking and praying for you and your wife..and appreciate you sharing with me.
Sincrely,
Maurice Toronto, Ontario