On 10/26/2006 Mindyrenae wrote:
My mom was just diagnosed with gallbladder cancer. She went in to have it removed a week ago and they found cancer in it and the lymph nodes that they took out with the gallbladder. The doctor said they have never seen this cancer before and they want to send her to a hospital in houston. We don't know if it has spread or how far. We are very scared. Can anyone offer any advise or tell me what my mom should be expecting or what kind of questions to be asking the doctor?
Dear MindyRenae:
I am a native of Minneapolis, Kansas but a transplanted Oregonian for most of my 67 years.
My former husband at the age of 70 was diagnosed with GBC last year and was sent to the VA hospital in Portland which works in conjunction with the Oregon Health and Sciences University next door. His gall bladder was removed immediately and found to be full of cancer through every layer. He also had a liver and lymph node resection and the plan was to start chemo and radiation ASAP. He was at Stage II at that point. Unfortunately, he developed a serious wound site infection which took nearly three months to heal, so the window of opportunity was closed for that further treatment.
John was sent home and told to return for 3month checkups, and so far, CT scans have shown him to be absolutely clear. It will be a year of returned good health soon. I wanted to share this with you to add our knowledge of this cancer. It certainly is true that the published material about GBC is very negative, so people who are stricken need to know that others have survived and flourished.
I send you my best hopes that your mother will come through this frightening siege with restored good health....it is obvious that you adore her and are feeling lost.
Sincerely,
Nagatha39