Well, This Blows!

[KDR]

I went so peacefully into surgery meant to ablate my liver met, and the rest is history here: major hemothorax, ablation incomplete but 8cm x 4cm hole in liver, thoracotomy (real nice scar), collapsed lung, 3.5 liter blood loss, transfusion...no driving for two months, still hurts to laugh or sneeze, and now a little met is winking at me, again...so Friday's PET says.

Just had the genomic sequencing done, which will help in choosing a treatment should we decide that route of systemic therapy. But I'm having a "special" CT done Wednesday to see about the blood flow to the met. Hhhmm. Sounds like a good place to start, and not just jump to ablation. This test could help us determine what kind of ablation I might need.

Interesting that the other tumors in my body have never come back. Ever. Just the liver mets, which seem to find sanctuary and be very cozy with all the blood in the liver.

I still feel like a great white took a bite out of my side. Numb from the shoulder to last rib in front and trouble bending. But cool that I haven't had chemo for quite some time and I can type without pain, and I can separate two pieces of paper!

I am looking into MD Anderson Houston for the ablation, as well as Memorial Sloan Kettering NYC. I know all about MSKCC-NYC, but if you have any information on MD Anderson and this topic, please share!

Warmly
Karen

[phil]

Hey karen, sorry to hear this news. smart to wait on type of tx. the last liver tumor was er+ , i think. so other er+ type tx's , maybe w/ chemo cancer hasnt seen before , are one thought . as ablation is a good killer for cancer that shows on scans , but the last ablation did miss some . Lorraine had a real good high frequency radio wave type ablation done at MGH , a Dr. Arellano. he was great , minimal pain, he said that MGH had invented that type of ablation 10 + yrs ago . God Bless, Heal.

[carlatte7]

Yeah, it certainly does. It sounds like you have the beginnings of a plan though. Prayers and all my best wishes to you!

[Ceesun]

Karen, Sorry about this blip on the screen, but you WILL handle it of that I am sure. I admire you and your posts. I am off to my favorite place, Sarasota, for some R and R...hence my nickname Cee Sun...but I will be thinking of you and sending positive thoughts your way. Chin Up! Cathy

[Coux92]

Sorry to hear this Karen, keep your chin up and heal fast.

[Pamelamary]

Sorry to hear your news, Karen. These pesky liver mets just don't want to give up. It sounds as if you are giving much thought to the next step. I can't offer advice at all, but wish you a speedy return to NED!
Best wishes.... Pam

[jra40]

Your right that really does blow! I am sorry to hear this news but you are strong and will get through this hurdle. I wish I could kick that winking met right in the face!

All my prayers for healing and comfort for you!

Jessica

[nsebesta]

Karen, I had two mets on my liver ablated at MDAnderson in 2005. Great place, great doctors. I've been NED since! Praise God.

[linn65]

Karen,

I am not happy you have them but happy you FOUND them! Now, you can get rid of them!!

Geez, there needs to be a cure for this terrible disease...not NED crap. :)

[BonnieR]

Well, crap on a crap stick, as we are so fond of saying here!
Keep the faith, I know you will

[tricia keegan]

Sorry to read this Karen and will be thinking of you and sending good wishes. xx

[Laurel]

Man, Karen, that truly does stink. I am sorry you are now confronted with that seemingly never ending pressure to decide your fate, so to speak, regarding treatment options. At the end of the day, the decision is always ours, isn't it? The docs advise, but ultimately the final determination is the patient's.

One thing I am supremely confident about is your innate brilliance. I believe you will hit upon the best treatment for the situation. What I can do is pray your choice works and like your other areas of mets your liver will be NED and stay NED!

I hope your battered body heals swiftly and that your comfort level improves appreciably tonight as you rest. I pray tomorrow dawns bright and pain free!

[Jackie07]

Ditto to everything that Laurel has just said.

Nsebesta's story is encouraging. It won't hurt to get a 2nd opinion from another leading cancer center.

Sending you good vibes.

[LeahM]

Yep it blows. I am sending you comforting and healing vibes.

[KDR]

Thank you so much for the good wishes. Today I am having the CT to look at the way the tumor behaves, how it lives, how it is thriving, and then we'll decide on what ablation technique will most effective. Then, I have to think long and hard on whether I do surgery again or just go back to a systemic therapy. Right in the midst of holiday shopping...all I really want to do is shed this skin and run free, like it never happened.

[caya]

Good luck with the CT scan today Karen!

Hoping those "damned spots" will be treated soon so they can be "out out!!""

all the best
caya

[linn65]

Karen,

Man if history has anything to do with your future and surgeries that is a tough choice. Oh and the systemic approach well they "Blow" too!!! If surgery ends up being your plan just no the samething WILL NOT happen twice because they will be extra, extra careful to make it just right..

I think I would throw the dice and be a ride or die kind of chick and BLOW that met right out of your liver and it never come back!! You got this...I dream of Jeannie can do anything with a head nod!! :)

[norkdo]

karen so very sorry about what you went through. praying, praying.
nora

[jra40]

Hi Karen - Thinking of you and praying your scan went well yesterday.

Next time you are in Pittsburgh, I need to treat you to Primanti Brothers! Those sandwiches will heal anything that ails us :)

Jessica

[Rolepaul]

Karen,
We are at MD Anderson this weekend through Tuesday. I can tell you we would not go anywhere else. Nina is there every four weeks. I go every three months for MRI scans and evals. Let me know if you go.
Rolepaul

[KDR]

I had the "special CT" done yesterday which is my first: a triphasic scan of the liver. I like the way this treatment plan is beginning. The triphasic scan is specifically used to focus on the life of the tumor: how it exists, what it's feeding on, what it
s close to. We meet with IR on Monday, he is MD/PhD. Preliminary information is that the area of interest is just inferior to previous ablations site.

I think MD Anderson is going to be a bit far for me, but people have PMd me of their experiences. I think I am going to read very deeply into your words, "We would not go anywhere else." I'll probably call you after this read. I definitely will not be there by Tuesday. I can tell you who we are thinking of using there.

Thank you everyone for your input and messages. This little wannabe monster is going to blown to bits quite shortly.

Love to all
Karen

[StephN]

Sending wishes for enlightenment and all the information you need to be at your disposal. If you are liking today's turn of events, that is great news.

Very interesting about the triphasic scan. This is the first I have heard of it, so you are again blazing a trial here. Can you tell us more about how it works. Maybe it will need a new thread if it is something that is a "comer" to more clinics.

[Bunty]

All the best Karen - I'm very interested to hear what comes next. You deserve a good break!
Cheers Marie

[Catherine]

Hi Karen,

So sorry for this crummie news. You seem very smart and I am hoping that you will get thru this nasty news and get back to your shopping. As long as you get well, the presents can be a little late!

Love and support are coming your way,

[Laurel]

Karen,

I second Steph's interest in this new scan of yours--very, very interesting. Hope your soreness is abating. Best!

[KDR]

The triphasic liver scan. Radiology department told me as much as they know about it and that it's usually done before an ablation.

??

I missed the first one, I guess.

After I see the doctor, I shall let you all know what we plan.

Big holiday hugs to all,
Karen

[Redwolf8812]

Prayers, Karen. Sorry about the mess you went through. Hope you're feeling better.

- Penny

[Andrea Barnett Budin]

OUT OUT DAMN SPOT! You winking at me???!!!


I googled and got this:
Triphasic CT Scanning
A CT (Computed tomography) scan is a medical imaging method that combines digital X-ray and computed tomography to generate a 3-D image of inside the body. This combination makes it possible to obtain detailed cross-sectional images of internal organs, vessels and bony structures.

A triphasic, or triple-phase, CT scan is an enhanced CT technique mostly used to evaluate liver lesions. This technique acquires images at 3 different time points, or phases, following the administration of a contrast. In general, tumors of the liver tend to show up better in the additional two phases of a triphasic CT scan

Sounds incredibly brilliant to begin at this point before proceeding. I would love to ask last surgeon why he didn't do this in preparation. Perhaps he could have seen what was up before going in.

Who suggested this CT? I like them!!

And I love you, Karen, as you well know.

Please let us know what Monday brings...
Andi

[norkdo]

fingers and toes crossed....xoxox
Nora

[KDR]

Good news! Wait, great news!

I met a great surgeon! He's off to Italy to present on his technique next week, so I have to wait a bit. Another plus: I loved his nurse, too! It was a very human experience. I learned that in 10 years of busy practice, bleeds have occurred just three times, one of them me. Can't happen again. No, no, no. (By the way, the risk rate of this procedure is 2 percent, and that's considered high).

The hole in my liver has filled in a bit, regenerated, and all appears healthy.

We plan to ablate the Little Met on 6 January. It's a scary time for me, and I go forth strong but with my past teaching me my present. What more motivation could I need but the thought...this might be it? There is no active cancer anywhere except this area. I'm still processing the information and need to speak with my onco.

Thanks for your PMs, too. Your information and opinions helped me make a very informed decision, I feel.

Warmly
Karen

[LeahM]

Great Christmas news Karen!

[Coux92]

Wonderful news Karen! It will be a Happy new Year for sure. Praying for successful, uneventful surgery!��

[Andrea Barnett Budin]

Ok then!

Bye Little Met! January 6 is the day!

It's always wise to learn from experience and yet -- please don't focus your attention over your shoulder, Karen. Our past doesn't predict our future!

Ablate the thought "this might be it" from your mind immediately. What you concentrate on will materialize. So think of -- this is it for Little Met.

And I am grateful that there is no active cancer anywhere except this little guy.

This feels like the right move to me, Karen. Go forth KNOWING you have a master plan complete with detailed blueprints as to its precise location and nuances. Go get that sucker and blow him away!

Rest comfortably in your choice. It is sound and well-plotted.

Focus on how joyful you will feel when they tell you that blinking met is out of your life!!!!!!! Think of THAT every night as you prepare to fall asleep and throughout the day, when bad thoughts creep in, as they tend to do.

Kick it to the side, and replace it as fast as you can with the elation you are soon to know!

My love,

Andi

[StephN]

To me the phrase "this might be it" means that this coming treatment will bring KDR back to NED. That is how I will think about her and this procedure.

Thanks for the super news that the team has your confidence. Of utmost importance to take worries out of your head.

Now have a great time with your daughter and everyone through the holiday season.

[linn65]

'Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house

Not a creature was stirring, not even a MET;

The equipment tools were hung by the surgery room with care,

In hopes that DOCTOR soon would be there;

The family were nestled all snug in their seats,

While visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads;

And Karen in her ‘Surgery gown, and the nurse in her cap,

Had just settled their brains for a long abiliation surgery,

When out on the operating room there arose such a clatter,

Karen sprang from the bed to see what was the matter.

Away to the surgical room she flew like a flash,

Tore open the doors and and went straight to sleep.

The bright lights on the new surgical equipment

Gave the lustre of mid-day to objects below,

When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,

But a surgeon, and team full of nurses, and medical assistant's

With new techniques, so lively and quick,

I knew in a moment it must be the doctor

More rapid than eagles his coursers they came,

And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name;

‘Now Dasher! now, Dancer! now, Prancer and Vixen!

On, Comet! On, Cupid! on, on Donner and Blitzen!

To the top of the exam room! to the top of the wall!

Now dash away! dash away! dash away Mets!’

As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,

When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky;

So out of your body the mets flew,

With the room full of nurses, and the surgeon too.

And then, in a twinkling, I heard in recovery

The talking and teaching about each little stitch.

As I drew in my head, and was turning around,

Out the room the surgeon came with a bound,

He was dressed all in scrubs, from his head to his foot,

and his scrubs were all wrinkled and filled full of sweat.

His eyes-how they twinkled! his dimples how merry!

His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry!

His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow,

And the beard of his chin was as white as the snow;

He had a broad face and a little round belly,

That shook when he laughed, like a bowlful of jelly.

He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf,

and I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself;

A wink of his eye and a twist of his head,

Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread.

He spoke not a word, but had finished his work,

and told all the family that met was a jerk,

and laying his finger aside of his nose,

and giving a nod, out the waiting room he went;

He sprang to his feet , to his team gave a whistle,

and away they all walked down from the hall.

But I heard him exclaim, ‘abiliated the met out of sight,

‘Happy Christmas to Karen, and to all a good-night!!

[KDR]

WOW!

That is amazing imagery! I love it and totally appreciate the time you took out to construct it!

Brilliant!

Love
Karen

[Mel3]

Wonderful news! You'll be in my thoughts and prayers for a successful surgery in January.

[MaineRottweilers]

Fantastic news! I will be thinking of you on MetAblation Day. Happy New Year!

[CarolineC]

Karen,

I'm hoping everything went really well yesterday and wishing you a Happy New Year!

[Mtngrl]

Karen,

Best wishes to you. I pray you've seen the last of your little liver visitor.

[dawny]

Karen
Hope you are rejoicing in the fact that Little met has gone. Best wishes
Dawn. Xx

[KDR]

It's over! Little Met gone! I'm o.k., in fact, joined a new tracking trial for ablations and clear margins. Tired, friends, but a great experience, if I had to do it. Wish it had been this way on the first try, for sure. Was a four-hour operation. Have residual shoulder pain from manipulation of nerve on liver. Will push to stay another day in hospital till I'm good and ready to go home and be Mommy again.
As far as the PET/CT goes, it's all gone, and new fresh and healthy liver tissue is regrowing on former ablation site.
Goodnight all,
I am...exhausted,
Karen

[Coux92]

Oh Horray! Great news. So happy for you! Bye bye little met, see what you get for messing with Karen....

[nsebesta]

SOOOOOOOOOOOOOO glad to read this!!! Was wondering about you just today. Be well my friend!

[jra40]

Wonderful - best news ever!!!

[LeahM]

Fantastic news Karen! So glad to hear it!
Hugs
Leah

[Andrea Barnett Budin]

Hooray! Precisely what I envisioned. Huge success. Tired but healing, regenerating. L'l liver met history. NO MORE CANCER. Healthy and well.

Rest well, Karen. You so deserve it. Yes, push for the extra day.

Any drains?

Your bod has been through so so so much. Your psyche too. But you are strong woman! Destined to prevail. Happy, happy for you, my friend.

XOXOXO,
ANDI

[KDR]

Thank you, all! Hospitals are a tiring experience. Going home tomorrow.
Someone said to me, "This the bookend in your journey." Indeed it is.

Andi, no drains.

I am so grateful for this site, really, to know there are people standing by...watching, watching, waiting, loving,

Karen

[carlatte7]

Great news! Get some rest;)

[sassy]

Yippieeee Karen!!!!

Rest well.

[michka]

Hi Karen. I am so happy the procedure went well and that the stupid met is gone! Rest well. Michka

[Lien]

Wonderful news! Now take it easy and let that liver heal.

Love

Jacqueline

[Bunty]

That is great news Karen. Rest and heal well!
Cheers Marie

[KsGal]

This is amazing news. Im so happy for you. I hope things continue to go just this wonderfully...forever. :) Big hugs...you are an inspiration.

[Mtngrl]

This is great, Karen. I'm so glad it went well, and it's over.

[norkdo]

Well, crap on a crap stick, as we are so fond of saying here!
Keep the faith, I know you will
__________________
Bonnie


and to illustrate our favourite phrase...... this is from a chinese restaurant menu....
http://bp.uuuploads.com/funny-chinese-sign-translation-fails/funny-chinese-sign-translation-fails-24.jpg

[Adriana Mangus]

Karen, I'm so sorry to hear this news. You are a tough lady that's for sure. I admire you so much. Thank you for posting. Sending you positive vibes, lovely Karen.

[IrvineFriend]

Wow! Liver regenerating.... what can be better! Congratulations on your tenacity paying off and keeping everyone in the loop.

[KDR]

This is an old thread, just thanking everyone for thinking of me, and YES, I am doing well! Still! Like old times! Will write when I have more time.
Keep going warriors,
Karen