CancerCompass message board discussion started by Lauranyc on 5/26/2007 http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,12438,0.htm Sun, 07 Sep 2008 00:00:00 GMT Sun, 07 Sep 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://backend.userland.com/rss RSS.NET: http://www.rssdotnet.com/ Hi,I found this message board while trying to find some information about Liver Cancer online, and I felt like maybe if I wrote here it would help me alittle bit.  My mother is 52 years old and has always been very healthy.  In the beginning of March she started to complain about stomach pain and fullness after eating three or four bites of whatever she was eating, she also gagged alot but never actually threw anything up.  She finally went to the doctors in April and he ordered a CT scan of the abdomen.  The CT scan showed a tumor in her left liver lobe that has taken over the whole lobe and a smaller tumor in the medial segment of the right lobe.  She then went for a biopsy a week later after talking with her primary physcian. The bipsy results showed that from the 6 pieces of tissue they removed from her liver, only 20% were cancerous.  There concern was the this was secondary liver cancer and that it could be coming from another organ of the body.  She went and had an endoscopy of the stomach and that was clear, she went into the hospital for 4 days because of severe pain and bloating. While in the hospital they did a colonoscopy and that showed nothing as well.  Chest xray..etc...they can't find any cancer or masses or tumors any where else which is good.  Before she left the hospital they did another CT scan directly of the liver now.  The radiologist and surgeon who would have done the chemoembolization said he did not want to do it, because there were too many blood vessels he would have to shut off to stop the blood from feeding the tumor, which could result in liver failure.Now her primary physcian wants her to get a second opinion and wants to refer her to Memorial Sloan-Kettering.  I know that hospital is the #1 cancer hospital, so I am relieved and one of their specialties is Liver Cancer, which is also a good think.  She wanted to read about Sloan kettering and her options. I have been reading about liver resection.  But is her tumor too large for this?  Her left lobe was replaced by the tumor and it is also in the medial segment of the right lobe (I'm not sure what medial segment is?) What other treatments should she consider that does not have a lot or any side effects?It's been two months since she has been home and out of work and she isn't the type of person that likes to do nothing.  She has been retaining water in her legs/feet and the doctor has given her a water pill for that, she has taken it for 2 days now, and it goes away and comes back over and over again.  She has been elevating her legs as well.  She is weak and out of breath when she walks up the stairs.  The pain medicine(Dilaudid) has been making her loopy and fatigue.  She loves to read books and lately she has been opening the books but falling asleep with it in her hand and dozing off, I believe it's the pain medicine. I'm only 24 years old and it hurts me to see her like this.  I try so hard not to cry in front of her, because I know that upsets her knowing I'm upset.  I just want to be there for her and help her through this and I can't wait for her to start feeling better.  I miss going to the mall and out to eat with her almost every weekend. I hope someone can help me lift up my spirits, and tell me some good information that I can look forward to.   Thanks to anyone and everyone who took the time to read this. LauraConcerned Daughter Lauranyc Sat, 26 May 2007 00:00:00 GMT laura,you are very brave. almost everyone who has been on the forum has experienced similar situation as yours. Me too. It's my husband who is only 40. It's heartbreaking, and frustrating.It's like falling into abysmal darkness with a very sad end waiting for you.sloan kettering is very good, I hope my husbad could have been treated there. follow their advices, they are the best.don't give up. Laven Mon, 28 May 2007 00:00:00 GMT  On 5/26/2007 Lauranyc wrote:Hi,I found this message board while trying to find some information about Liver Cancer online, and I felt like maybe if I wrote here it would help me alittle bit.  My mother is 52 years old and has always been very healthy.  In the beginning of March she started to complain about stomach pain and fullness after eating three or four bites of whatever she was eating, she also gagged alot but never actually threw anything up.  She finally went to the doctors in April and he ordered a CT scan of the abdomen.  The CT scan showed a tumor in her left liver lobe that has taken over the whole lobe and a smaller tumor in the medial segment of the right lobe.  She then went for a biopsy a week later after talking with her primary physcian. The bipsy results showed that from the 6 pieces of tissue they removed from her liver, only 20% were cancerous.  There concern was the this was secondary liver cancer and that it could be coming from another organ of the body.  She went and had an endoscopy of the stomach and that was clear, she went into the hospital for 4 days because of severe pain and bloating. While in the hospital they did a colonoscopy and that showed nothing as well.  Chest xray..etc...they can't find any cancer or masses or tumors any where else which is good.  Before she left the hospital they did another CT scan directly of the liver now.  The radiologist and surgeon who would have done the chemoembolization said he did not want to do it, because there were too many blood vessels he would have to shut off to stop the blood from feeding the tumor, which could result in liver failure.Now her primary physcian wants her to get a second opinion and wants to refer her to Memorial Sloan-Kettering.  I know that hospital is the #1 cancer hospital, so I am relieved and one of their specialties is Liver Cancer, which is also a good think.  She wanted to read about Sloan kettering and her options. I have been reading about liver resection.  But is her tumor too large for this?  Her left lobe was replaced by the tumor and it is also in the medial segment of the right lobe (I'm not sure what medial segment is?) What other treatments should she consider that does not have a lot or any side effects?It's been two months since she has been home and out of work and she isn't the type of person that likes to do nothing.  She has been retaining water in her legs/feet and the doctor has given her a water pill for that, she has taken it for 2 days now, and it goes away and comes back over and over again.  She has been elevating her legs as well.  She is weak and out of breath when she walks up the stairs.  The pain medicine(Dilaudid) has been making her loopy and fatigue.  She loves to read books and lately she has been opening the books but falling asleep with it in her hand and dozing off, I believe it's the pain medicine. I'm only 24 years old and it hurts me to see her like this.  I try so hard not to cry in front of her, because I know that upsets her knowing I'm upset.  I just want to be there for her and help her through this and I can't wait for her to start feeling better.  I miss going to the mall and out to eat with her almost every weekend. I hope someone can help me lift up my spirits, and tell me some good information that I can look forward to.   Thanks to anyone and everyone who took the time to read this. LauraConcerned Daughter  Kalli 2120 Wed, 30 May 2007 00:00:00 GMT sorry i just reposted that i am new to this and i dont know what i am doing. well my dad has liver cancer. and we need to stay strong .i know it can be alot and overwelming but we have to get through this and things have to get worse before they get better. hang in there( that is what i am trying to do.) talk to your friends that helps my alot and i am only13.  STAY STRONG we can get through this together kall Kalli 2120 Wed, 30 May 2007 00:00:00 GMT On 5/30/2007 Kalli 2120 wrote: On 5/26/2007 Lauranyc wrote:Hi,I found this message board while trying to find some information about Liver Cancer online, and I felt like maybe if I wrote here it would help me alittle bit.  My mother is 52 years old and has always been very healthy.  In the beginning of March she started to complain about stomach pain and fullness after eating three or four bites of whatever she was eating, she also gagged alot but never actually threw anything up.  She finally went to the doctors in April and he ordered a CT scan of the abdomen.  The CT scan showed a tumor in her left liver lobe that has taken over the whole lobe and a smaller tumor in the medial segment of the right lobe.  She then went for a biopsy a week later after talking with her primary physcian. The bipsy results showed that from the 6 pieces of tissue they removed from her liver, only 20% were cancerous.  There concern was the this was secondary liver cancer and that it could be coming from another organ of the body.  She went and had an endoscopy of the stomach and that was clear, she went into the hospital for 4 days because of severe pain and bloating. While in the hospital they did a colonoscopy and that showed nothing as well.  Chest xray..etc...they can't find any cancer or masses or tumors any where else which is good.  Before she left the hospital they did another CT scan directly of the liver now.  The radiologist and surgeon who would have done the chemoembolization said he did not want to do it, because there were too many blood vessels he would have to shut off to stop the blood from feeding the tumor, which could result in liver failure.Now her primary physcian wants her to get a second opinion and wants to refer her to Memorial Sloan-Kettering.  I know that hospital is the #1 cancer hospital, so I am relieved and one of their specialties is Liver Cancer, which is also a good think.  She wanted to read about Sloan kettering and her options. I have been reading about liver resection.  But is her tumor too large for this?  Her left lobe was replaced by the tumor and it is also in the medial segment of the right lobe (I'm not sure what medial segment is?) What other treatments should she consider that does not have a lot or any side effects?It's been two months since she has been home and out of work and she isn't the type of person that likes to do nothing.  She has been retaining water in her legs/feet and the doctor has given her a water pill for that, she has taken it for 2 days now, and it goes away and comes back over and over again.  She has been elevating her legs as well.  She is weak and out of breath when she walks up the stairs.  The pain medicine(Dilaudid) has been making her loopy and fatigue.  She loves to read books and lately she has been opening the books but falling asleep with it in her hand and dozing off, I believe it's the pain medicine. I'm only 24 years old and it hurts me to see her like this.  I try so hard not to cry in front of her, because I know that upsets her knowing I'm upset.  I just want to be there for her and help her through this and I can't wait for her to start feeling better.  I miss going to the mall and out to eat with her almost every weekend. I hope someone can help me lift up my spirits, and tell me some good information that I can look forward to.   Thanks to anyone and everyone who took the time to read this. LauraConcerned Daughter  Kalli 2120 Wed, 30 May 2007 00:00:00 GMT kali, I too have liver cancer and have gone through 2 rounds of TACE. The chemoembolization from what I understand is done in the hepatic artery of the liver and they can almost embolize 100% of the arterial blood fow because 80% ot the blood suppy flowing to the liver is veinous. They do this because the blood flowing to the tumors is usually arterial (tumors are bloodthirsty and require a good flow of arterial blood to grow.) I wish you and you r family well. Harley Harleyman123 Sat, 02 Jun 2007 00:00:00 GMT If she can travel,John of God loves and cures in Brazillia,Brazil.Please do a net seach.I have seen him twice in Brazil and once in New Zealand.Heather Cummings is based in the USA and is John of God's official biographer.Her book will enlighten and she takes parties to Brazilia.God is. The eleventh leeper. Haifu 1. Fri, 08 Jun 2007 00:00:00 GMT Thank you for your message My mother passed away on June 2nd due to liver failure. I hope your information could help someone else and I will pass it along if someone is in need ThanksLaura Lauranyc Fri, 08 Jun 2007 00:00:00 GMT Thank you for your message My mother passed away on June 2nd due to liver failure. I hope your information could help someone else and I will pass it along if someone is in need ThanksLaura Lauranyc Fri, 08 Jun 2007 00:00:00 GMT Laura,I am sooo sorry to hear about your mom. I am in a very similar situation with my mother, who is only 59! Her liver cancer is secondary, she also has secondary cancer on the spine and the brain. They haven't located the primary source yet. Today they are doing more tests so I hope this will be the day we find out!  My mother has not started treatment yet, in the midst of everything this last month she had a heart attack which postponed further tests and treatment. She has been told she is terminal and the treatment they give will only control pain. We see her Onc on Friday to discuss all available options.I would be curious to find out which treatment your mother is on and how she is doing. Good luck! Lisa Lisamo Wed, 13 Jun 2007 00:00:00 GMT On 5/30/2007 Kalli 2120 wrote:sorry i just reposted that i am new to this and i dont know what i am doing. well my dad has liver cancer. and we need to stay strong .i know it can be alot and overwelming but we have to get through this and things have to get worse before they get better. hang in there( that is what i am trying to do.) talk to your friends that helps my alot and i am only13.  STAY STRONG we can get through this together kall I've heard that Fucoidan might do a little help to battle liver cancer...I just don't know if there someone there who has the same situation had ease the pain or healed the whole thing... oznerol Yabadabadoo57 Wed, 13 Jun 2007 00:00:00 GMT  On 6/13/2007 Lisamo wrote:Laura,I am sooo sorry to hear about your mom. I am in a very similar situation with my mother, who is only 59! Her liver cancer is secondary, she also has secondary cancer on the spine and the brain. They haven't located the primary source yet. Today they are doing more tests so I hope this will be the day we find out!  My mother has not started treatment yet, in the midst of everything this last month she had a heart attack which postponed further tests and treatment. She has been told she is terminal and the treatment they give will only control pain. We see her Onc on Friday to discuss all available options.I would be curious to find out which treatment your mother is on and how she is doing. Good luck! LisaHi,I'm sorry to hear about your mother.  My mother lost her short battle with her liver cancer June 2nd.  I'm still in shock and denial.  She was suppose to start going to see an Oncology on June 6th, however, she did not make it.  She had no treatment at all, she was just on pain management.  I believe she knew more than she let on to us.  It was her way of putting us first and not interupting our lives, she was always loving and caring in that way.  The cancer was very advanced according to her primary doctor which he told us the night she passed away.  We are going to try to find out from him if she knew it was terminal or not.  I think I would feel better knowing that she knew.   I hope and prayer that your mother will be fine.  It's very hard to deal with and I saw how much pain my mother was in. They say liver cancer is the most painful cancer, because it stretches the liver.Do you know how big the tumors are that are in your mothers liver?Thanks,Laura Lauranyc Wed, 13 Jun 2007 00:00:00 GMT Laura i'm so sorry about your mum. I lost my lovely Dad on 2nd June to liver cancer after a week in the hospital following a stomach haemorrage.  He was first diagnosed in February and although we all knew it was terminal i realise now i thought he would carry on as always.  I just wanted to say im sorry, this has been the worst time of my whole life and i am getting through the day by kidding myself that he's at home and i just wont pop in and see him today, or he's on holiday and back soon.  Denial i know but it's early days.  My thoughts are with you. Charlotte Charlie50 Tue, 26 Jun 2007 00:00:00 GMT Hi!  How's your Mom?  I realize you are hoping to recieve positive information, however, I cannot provide such info.  All I can do is suggest you somehow stay strong and be realistic.  Life can be cruel and so many things happen that do not make sense.  My brother passed away in March 2007 due to primary liver cancer.  He was diagnosed in September 2006.  I had hope, he had hope, my family had hope and then..., reality set in.  In fact, he'll be gone four months tomorrow, it's unbelievable.  Anyway...., your message indicates your Mom had the full feeling when she ate.  Yeah...., my brother experienced the fullness feeling too no matter how much or how little he ate.  He was dealing with this sensation for awhile.  He had all sorts of tests done and a liver biopsy confirmed the worst, primary liver cancer.  He went through three rounds of treatement, radioactive glass beads injected into his liver.  In the beginning it was promising and then...., cancer won the battle.  Fluid retention created major discomfort/pain for him.  I felt so helpless.  The damn fluid consumed his abdomen, legs, arms and eventually sucked the life out of him. He too was on water pills, fluid was drained and it returned.  He loved to read and toward the end didn't have the energy to focus or do anything but lie in his hosptial bed at home heavily medicated.  The fluid pressing on his esophagus made breathing & conversation difficult toward the end.  As liver function diminshes, amonia levels increase leading to a coma state.  It's so horrible.  I don't mean to frighten or discourage you, but..., this is so difficult.  I too did not want to cry to much around my brother, I didn't want to create additonal stress for him.  All he wanted was to get better and go back to work.  He was only 51 years old.  A few day's before he passed away, as we waited for the ambulance, I was crying holding his hand and he looked at me and said maybe I'll be better tomorrow.  He had hope.  He is forever in my heart.  I hang on to many happy memories,  I am on a mission to keep his memory alive.  A part of me died with him.  I dontaed a kidney to him 24 years ago.  He was a wonderful, caring and gentle person.  I miss him so much.  I can hear him in my head telling me to knock it off and get on with it. I'm trying.  I know dying is part of living, however, he is the first person in my immediate family we have lost and he left us much too soon.  Again, I apologize if I diminshed your hopes, however, I am merely expressing my honest experience.  I wish you, your mother and family all the best.  Believe it or not, there are success stories.  Take care and stay strong.  Kathyhillego Wed, 11 Jul 2007 00:00:00 GMT Hi,I had posted a message a few weeks ago letting everyone know that my mother passed away on June 2nd.  I don't know what happened to the message but it is no longer showing up on this thread.The day she passed away and the day before she was very out of it.  She was not making any sense and was sleeping a lot.  She was retaining a lot of water as well.  Her liver went into liver failure.  We kept trying to tell her to go to the hospital and she wouldn't.  Finally my brother called the ambulance at 7:30 and she passed away at 9:18.   It's only been alittle over a month and I still cannot believe she is gone.  I am still waiting for her to call me or walk in the front door.  I know it won't happen but I just wish it would.  I know you understand you probably went and still going through the same thing/feelings.We just need to remember they are in a better place and not suffering anymore and one day we will meet again.  Keep in touch. Laura Lauranyc Thu, 12 Jul 2007 00:00:00 GMT  On 7/12/2007 Lauranyc wrote:Hi,I had posted a message a few weeks ago letting everyone know that my mother passed away on June 2nd.  I don't know what happened to the message but it is no longer showing up on this thread.The day she passed away and the day before she was very out of it.  She was not making any sense and was sleeping a lot.  She was retaining a lot of water as well.  Her liver went into liver failure.  We kept trying to tell her to go to the hospital and she wouldn't.  Finally my brother called the ambulance at 7:30 and she passed away at 9:18.   It's only been alittle over a month and I still cannot believe she is gone.  I am still waiting for her to call me or walk in the front door.  I know it won't happen but I just wish it would.  I know you understand you probably went and still going through the same thing/feelings.We just need to remember they are in a better place and not suffering anymore and one day we will meet again.  Keep in touch. Laura Hi Laura,My heartfelt sympathy to you and your family.  I understand how you feel.  I lost my brother due to liver cancer four months ago and part of me cannot believe he's gone.  It's terrible.  And..., yes, I believe he's no longer suffering.  I miss him so much.  I know too that death is part of life, however, the emotional side of me aches for my brother who was a wonderful person.  It sucks!  Life is so unfair at times.  I often see people on the street who resemble my brother and my heart stops for a moment. It seems like he's on vacation somewhere and we'll hook up again one of these day's.  I'm on a mission to keep his memory alive.  He was so special to me.  I wish you strength as you cope with this incredible loss. It hurts so much.  Take care.Kathy Kathyhillego Sun, 15 Jul 2007 00:00:00 GMT