CancerCompass message board discussion started by Altered Lives on 12/11/2005 http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,3715,0.htm Sat, 22 Nov 2008 00:00:00 GMT Sat, 22 Nov 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://backend.userland.com/rss RSS.NET: http://www.rssdotnet.com/ Reading the many messages posted on this site has provided me with tons of useful information. Its both encouraging and heartbreaking at the same time. My prayers are with you all. It's amazing how "cancer" can change your life whether you are the patient or caregive. I just pray that they find what causes this cancer. My 59 year old mother was diagnosed with unresectable cholangiocarcinoma in Jun. 03. Her primary care doctor became concerned when her routine bloodwork showed elevated and then referred to her an oncologist. The surgeons attempted to remove the tumor but it was too dangerous. Apparently, the tumor was near major bloodvessels. After a series of chemo/radiation, she then had an internal metal stent placed in 9/04. She was doing really well after that. No illnesses whatsoever - until recently. She has been in the hospital three times since Sept 05. The first admission was because the metal stent was no longer draining, she became jaundiced, had fever and infections, anemia, bleeding ulcers, swelling in her legs, fluid in her stomach lining and her blood pressure dropped really low. She was given IV antibiotics, blood and other meds. She was then discharged home with a external drainage bag. My mom hated the idea of having a bag but the doctors insisted it was best because putting another internal stent was risky. Her second admission was because the drainage to the bag stopped and she had fevers. The doctors gave IV antibiotocs and inserted a bigger cathether to improve the flow then sent her home. Currently, she's back in the hospital because she has had no drainage for the last four days, vomiting blood and there is blood in the stools. Upon admission, she was extremely anemic so they gave her more blood. Now they running tests to find out why this is happening. She does not have fevers or pain. Does anyone know if this is a normal symptom of the cancer? Is she approaching the final stages? I don't know what to think. Altered Lives Sun, 11 Dec 2005 00:00:00 GMT How long ago was her chemo? One possibility is that the chemo made her thrombocytopenic (low platlets) which can prevent internal bleeding from stopping. Do you know her Platlet count? Oncrx Mon, 12 Dec 2005 00:00:00 GMT Thanks for responding. No I don't know what her platelet count is. I'll have to find out. She was on chemo for about two months Jan-Feb of last year. She hasn't had any chemo since. Today, the drs reviewed the tests and have said that everything looks fine. They can't figure out was is going with her. They are thinking that maybe the bleeding is coming from the site where the stent is. Altered Lives Mon, 12 Dec 2005 00:00:00 GMT I've learned that my mom developed esphageal varices which was the source of the bleeding. This complicated her condition causing her to be very anemic and weak. She past on 1/22. I thank God for the years that I had my mother. Surely I miss her but I know that she is in a better place. There are no more stents, tubes, transfusions, jaundice, pain or suffering to worry about. She fought a good fight to the very end. To everyone going through this be strong and cherish every moment with your loved ones - whether they are sick or not. God Bless You Altered Lives Sat, 04 Feb 2006 00:00:00 GMT