CancerCompass message board discussion started by NZfemale on 5/8/2008 http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,23838,0.htm Thu, 24 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT Thu, 24 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://backend.userland.com/rss RSS.NET: http://www.rssdotnet.com/ Hi there,I am a 54 year old woman from New Zealand. On 25th March this year I was diagnosed with an Ampullary tumour after two years of pushing to find out why my liver functions were 'deranged'. Up to December 2007 I had virtually no symptoms at all then I began to get episodes of Biliary itching, tiredness and nasty fevers. The tumour was only discovered during an E.R.C.P. after ultrasound, MRI and a HIDA scan failed to find anything. Biopsies were done during the ERCP and I have since had an endoscopic ultrasound, another endoscopy for more biopsies and am going for a CT scan tomorrow. I am booked for a Whipples Procedure on 28th May. My surgeon is being very cautious about the status of the tumour. Pathology has been reluctant to declare malignancy so far. I will find out more next week with biopsy and CT results. More decisions will be made then.I feel very comfortable with my surgeon but can't help being worried about all the advice given in everything I've read stating that this procedure needs to be done in centres that specialise in it. I am finding it difficult to access information about specialisation in N.Z. and about my surgeon who comes highly recommended by my Gastroenterologist. I would appreciate any advice on how to go about getting the info I want and I would love to contact anyone in N.Z. who has been through this ordeal.I will get through this. My time is not up yet. I have four beautiful grandchildren and I've promised the youngest (six weeks old) I'm going to be here for him growing up.   NZfemale Thu, 08 May 2008 00:00:00 GMT Go to asge.org/find a doctor   there are 11 doctors in new zealand that specializes in this  feel free to call each one to make the best decision Best of luck   never give up! Wanda47 Fri, 09 May 2008 00:00:00 GMT