moms liver resection surgery-she made it!

sheila · Senior User Joined: 24 Jul 2008 Posts: 480

thanks brainman-in all honesty I dont expect replies usually except for like the drug question-but I figure most people on this forum are the ones dealing directly with all this-It probably makes them tired just thinking about a response-I understand and with the holidays-hey they make healthy people tired cant imagine trying to do the season with chemo or radiation draining one too. I figure Ill just keep the story going and if someone has a sugestion That would be nice-if not Im not any further than I was before. I cant respond logically to alot that I read all over the different threads. sometimes I do if I know or heard or read something or if its similar to moms situation. probably the same way people are thinking about me. its ok Im a fairly patient person. you try and have a good one too!

sheila · Senior User Joined: 24 Jul 2008 Posts: 480

well moms still having treatments 1x a week. does exhaust her-but Ill tell you if she wasnt tired she looks good maintaining weight etc-does have trouble eating much at one time and things dont always taste as good as they look. sometimes she says even spaghetti tastes terrible.(and she loves her spaghetti!) shes accomplishing everything she set out to do this year-alot slower and at her a veeerry frustrating slooow pace. but she decorated her tree almost finished shopping and made 3 kinds of cookies and is attempting her chocolate..still has us over on Sundays for dinner-she starts it we finish it. no one expects anything of her -she expects it of herself and refuses no matter how long a task takes -she will do it! she told me one day she wanted to cook zuccini-she went to the store bought it came home took a rest,got up took them out of the fridge put them on the table-took a rest ,peeled one took a rest peeled the other took a rest cut one up etc. cut the other etc brought a chair to the oven and cooked it while she sat with tea. she said "it may have taken me all morning and all afternoon-but its done and I cant believe I did it"
so I suppose this may tell you dont give up take it slow you can still accomplish your goals -just dont set them too high and be proud of what you can do when you push yourself. it is indeed an accomplishment not to be taken lightly...praying you all find a way to gather the strength to reach your goals. (even if its cooking zucini! ) Razz

sheila · Senior User Joined: 24 Jul 2008 Posts: 480

we had a nice christmas and some of moms neices came over and her nephew for a short visit-she looked good not too tired etc. she has about 8-10 treatments left to go the hardest part is the first two days after treatment ,,soo tired no appetite ot nauseated and trouble sleeping and diahreah but then she pushes past those days and does what she can the rest of the week. . even if she doesnt feel like eating she forces herself to drink a boost-(has helped with some energy) -- still praying for those on this forum and soo hoping no news is mostly good news. in my thoughts.
Im having new years and one of my brothers is driving mom over-It will be hard to make her sit on her butt and relax-sometimes Im better off just letting her do what she wants as far as work. I like it when she gets that way means shes feeling a bit more like her normal self.. hopeing for a better new year for mom and all on this forum.

sheila · Senior User Joined: 24 Jul 2008 Posts: 480

moms still getting chemo treatments still has ok-bad days on reactions to the chemicals-her next step is the 28th a cat scan to see how well the chemo has been working and to see if there are any signs of liver or any for that matter cancer visible-oh lord,,,here we go again.... Rolling Eyes

I believe she has around 8 treatments left but after the scan there may be a change of plans -thats it to date for now. take care you guys!

sheila · Senior User Joined: 24 Jul 2008 Posts: 480

mom had her liver scan with Dr Geller and....great news -he didnt see anything developing!! she doesnt have to get a scan with him for 3 months now and a few more chemo treatments and hopefully thats it for now-whew! the poor gal needs a break! what a relief! "sigh....... now we know she should be around for a few more months anyway. and hopefully longer-Its terrible how the cancer patients and their loved ones have to forever have that feeling hanging over ..but at least some are lucky enough to be able to kick it out of the way for awhile and continue lifes road and have more time to be with those they love. I pray you all have that chance.

sheila · Senior User Joined: 24 Jul 2008 Posts: 480

update-moms had her last double doseof chemo (the rough one) and she supposedly has only two more single sessions to go. with the scans and bloodwork looking ok so far she may be able to start relaxing a bit-and enjoy things at least untill end of aprils next liver scan or whatever tests are due. shes somewhat looking forward to spring. but as far as worry-its a long road ahead .. (will always have the colostomy bag for the last thing we heard it wasnt reversable since the 2nd operation) really keeps her from going certain places-she doesnt have control over the never know when accidents that happen) altho shes been going through this for 3-will be going to start 4 years this april- shes not close to the 5 year clearance mark...after all-the first operation was colon cancer ,the second was still from the colon cancer , the third was from the rejected port, and they claim the colon cancer was irradicated- but the last developement was liver cancer and they told us had NOTHING to do with the colon cancer. hmm. so in other words she has to add 4 years of worry to the liver cancer time. soo not fair,,but(we all know the saying about the fairness of life) for now so far she is able to somewhat look forward to having her hair back and maybe starting a garden in the spring(fingers crossed,and prayer candles lit) will update if anyting changes either way. for now the waves arent so rocky. Smile

sheila · Senior User Joined: 24 Jul 2008 Posts: 480

update-tomorrow is her last chemo session-she still is very weak and has to take many short sit down breaks like today she insisted on taking herself for bloodwork-10 min from her house . the only way we let her is if she promised she would call when she got there and when she got home.-she did fine. she even stopped at the store got 2 things . she said it was a huge effort but felt good about doing it herself.(understandable)
nevt week she sees her oncologist to discuss her blood work -the scan was ok. wont know anymore for a little while-will update. thanks for being here all of you. I know someone is reading this and understanding the situation-I think of this forum often.

sheila · Senior User Joined: 24 Jul 2008 Posts: 480

well-mom saw her oncologist today and the good news is that he said-see you in 6 months! whew for now! shes still a bit anemic, has tingly fingers and toes and sore fingertips no hair and very tired and drained, He gave her no further instructions right now. we have mom for the summer Very Happy

hope some of you are doing better, and for those who arent my prayers will continue to support you in hopes of better days.

sheila · Senior User Joined: 24 Jul 2008 Posts: 480

first off want to wish all who celebrate a Happy Easter and hope you are well enough to enjoy friends /family.
Mom is schedualed end of April for a scan-we are of course dreading the results altho bloodwork so far has been ok.
sure the oncologist said see you in 6moths but the scan may say differently. But moms trying her best to be positive-she made in between rests traditional Easter bread(God bless her) being active as possible seems to keep her mind off of things. we will be together on Sunday (at her home of course) should be a pleasant sunny day-at least that will keep us all in an up mode.One of moms sisters is comming up from Arizona for a visit around then good support. something for her to look forward to.
well thats the update -will be awhile till I add scan results.
in my thoughts at this time hoping the best possible outcome for all on this forum. thanks for being here. Smile

brainman

Hi sheila. I am sorry that you post and post and no one replies to you Sad

. It is not that I do not care... it is just that I know so little about liver cancer or what you are going thought. Not a good excuse... I can certainly share in your worries and joys.

I know what it is like to hear my oncologist say "see you in X months" and still worry about a scan changing that. It happens to me every time as the date for a scan approaches. Of course, Liver cancer and Brain Cancer are very different animals. I have never had a "symptom free" scan that should a regrowth. Not that it will happen, but I do recognize that the odds of that happening to your mother are much higher.

Happy Easter to you as well. You and your mother are in my thoughts and prayers.
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sheila · Senior User Joined: 24 Jul 2008 Posts: 480

thanks brainman Very Happy

also want to add alto not many are responding -I see that alot are reading and I hope that this is at least a bit helpfull for those who choose to follow moms story, and that it gives examples of how family can help. and figure this too-alot of people just have enough energy to read the forum-let alone try to respond. knowing the weakness and lack of energy or motivation that occurs because of this Evil or Very Mad

wicked nasty(spit) disease(thanks for letting me vent) ! Wink

I feel better now.

sheila · Senior User Joined: 24 Jul 2008 Posts: 480

well another nerve grinding scan approaches -moms getting worried the scan is on the 29th this month and she has been having little twinging pains-I dont know if its psuedo pains in atticipation of the scan or if something is brewing again(I pray for her sake its not).
shes in her scared depressed mode again. wish I could do something for her. ....but I cant-there arent even available distractions. Sad

prayers would be more than welcome on the day of the scan)......Ill be back when I know more-thanks for listening. Smile

sheila · Senior User Joined: 24 Jul 2008 Posts: 480

great news! moms scans came back with no show of returning liver cancer -or colon cancer for that matter. he doesnt need to see her untill aug.(unless of course she is having a problem) we got home at 2 she even felt so relieved she took me to a landscaping center and we bought some veggies and flowers. she even felt like driving me home.-Its so wonderfull! I had to hug Dr Geller. moms still kindof in shock from great news she cant believe it it will take a few days to sink in. this will be the first scan in 3 years that was clear. she is soo going to enjoy her summer and her sister that is comming up here to pgh from Arizona! thanks for the prayers. Ill mention that also on the please pray general cancer topic I posted earlier. miracles do happen. we know it can still show up but for now we will surely all be a happy family this summer!!

sheila · Senior User Joined: 24 Jul 2008 Posts: 480

moms still getting stronger-enjoyed her sisters visit and was able to do things with her. not sure when the next scan will be but so far things are still going well. prayers and good thoughts to all on this forum.

sheila · Senior User Joined: 24 Jul 2008 Posts: 480

well here it is end of July moms been doing well still gets tired and little odd aches and pains here and there-she thinks the chemo is still messing with her. but just as shes feeling good again now were all worried about the next upcomming scan-sometime early Aug(she hasnt given me the date yet and I hate to bring it up) she had a nice birthday earlier this month . scarey to think if or when it will rear its ugly head again(a shame th nasty thoughtscan never be pushed aside all the way. thinking of you all and Ill probably wait till she has a scan before I post anymore. thanks for being there.. Smile

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