Any hope to offer, liver mets, bilirubin 2. and counts high
 

Hi All,

Trying to find someone who has had similar challenges and done well. I was diagnosed mets 25 months ago. Bones, Liver, Skin, Lymph Nodes. Been treated with all anti hormonals, Gemzar, Herceptin (constantly), Tykerb (6-months), Zometa. All seemed controlled and recent pet showed progression in bones and no activity in the liver. One week later blood work shows HIGH ALK, AST, ALT and bilirubin at 2. I just went for an ultra sound and will follow with a CAT of abdomen.

New chemo treatment Abraxane started today.

When I started this journey I had 7 liver mets but my liver function was perfect. I feel more afraid now because of the poor liver function test and strange because the PET shows nothing in the liver.

Anyone else have something like this? How has Abraxane been for liver mets?

Thanks for you support.

Carolyn

Carolyn,
You've faced down some pretty big challenges already!

I also am dealing with liver mets, and when they were first diagnosed in 2004 - and right up until this most recent treatment (T-DM1) - my liver enzymes had always been normal. The T-DM1 has caused a "level 2" toxicity to my liver, with elevated ALT, AST, Alk Phos very high.

So, it could be a reaction to the new chemo - you are doing the right thing having it checked out. Try not to panic (easy, huh?) and keep working on getting some answers.

Hi Chrisy,

Yeah we've all faced big challenges - welcome to Fear Factor Breast Cancer edition.

Thanks for answering. I was going to try Xeloda, but when the bili went up we decided we didn't have time to wait. Once I have the CAT tomorrow I will then go to a GI doctor to check to see if I need a stent. I am pretty sure that my numbers will continue to climb from the livers reaction to Abraxane.

Take care and I wish you all of the best!

Love, Hope, Peace,

Carolyn

Update for May 08
 

Hi Friends,

Wow, it was a very rough ride. My bili shot up quickly from 2 on Tuesday to 6.6 on Friday (April 4th). I called the doctor to report yellow eyes and strange colored BMs and urine and was sent to the emergency room for 9 days. We located the problem. The lymph nodes around the bile duct that leads away from the liver were swollen and closed the bile duct (as I understand it). My doctor had started Abraxane on Tuesday when the Bili numbers were at 2 and by Friday they were 6.6 & ALK, ALT, and SGOT were more than 10 times the top of the normal range. Each "specialist" that visited me while in the hospital scared the sh#t out of me saying stupid things like - "wow you don't look anywhere near as bad as your chart" and "I think that I wouldn't mind dying of cancer" ...I swiftly replied that I want to die of old age - thank you!

Well the good news is that they put a stint in the bile duct and gave me Carbo with the Abraxane and I am happy and relieved to report that my counts are all NORMAL!!!!! Total Bili is 0.7. The nausea was really bad for 2 weeks but they put me on Aloxi and I feel much better...just really weak. Doc says I will stay on Carbo with abraxane for 8 weeks and then drop the Carbo.

I am bald but found a really cute wig and I call her Victoria. The first day of my baldness I went to my 9 year old son's school for lunch. He was really scared about having a bald Mom...what did he say without missing a beat when he saw me???? Wow, Mom you look HOT!!!!!!! How is that for moral support?

Love, Hope, and Peace

Carolyn

Well, Carolyn! You've made the day better with your great news! All the good health news is wonderful, but I LOVE your son's attitude!!!!!! So happy for you! ma

Good for you, hot mama! Glad to hear they figured out the problem and that things seem to be back under control.

Sounds like you could nominate some of those specialist for the stupid things people say wall of shame! Great answer, I'll have to put that one in my repertoire.

Glad things are turning around. Gosh, some of these doctors and the things that fly out of their mouths. It makes you wonder.

Take care,
Tonya

Carolyn,

Thanks for sharing the good news. Glad they located what was causing those out of whack liver #s.

all the best
caya

Carolyns,

That is a pretty terrific update!! I am so happy that your counts are looking good!

Your boy sounds like a cutie. I'd like to give him a big squeeze!!

Hugs,
Lexi

Thank goodness! Thanks for the good news.