[Lori R]

Michka,
I am back with news from the follow up visit with the interventional radiologist.

But...first of all....I am so, so sorry that the post regarding resection vs. cryoablation may have introduced some frightening #s. I didn't realize how much I IGNORE those statistics, because we are all proving them wrong. I have personally struggled with the decision of whether to continue to freeze the met or pursue a resection., thus the reason for the article.

So...here are some encouraging words from my radiologist....yours will be much better because when my tumor returns it somehow gets to 3 cm. very quickly. You are in a fantastic position with a single 18mm met!!!! The met is very small which is good. Do demand a biopsy. Since the Drs. will be poking around in there anyhow, it is important to confirm exactly what they are dealing with. Even though I've had 3 mets, the Drs. double check it each time.

My original tumor was in the left lobe of the liver, it returned the first time (again in the left lobe) and we froze it. The radiologist used a single probe to freeze a reasonable margin. When it surfaced again (the most recent time), it surfaced next to the earlier tumor. So, the radiologist believes there was a portion of the tumor that wasn't frozen. The 2nd time he used 2 probes and froze an extensive margin.

He was optimistic that between chemo and herceptin, the cancer is not spreading. I was concerned that I would be too optimistic. But...in his words!! There is reason to be optimistic.

I did express concern that if it surfaces a 3rd time, in the left lobe of the liver and no where else....am I missing an opportunity to be done with this. He thought that was a very reasonable question and is going to talk to my Onc. about a potential liver resection. The radiolgoist does not perform this procedure, I would have to locate a surgeon. If this is the course of action, I will be back to this site to locate the best laproscopic liver surgeon in the U.S. I am not comfortable that there is someone experienced enough in Denver.

Michka, with such a small, single met there is reason to be very very optimisitic. Although it sounds quite expensive, it is critical to receive the best care possible with the most experienced Drs.

Have you finalized the decision to go with the resection? It sounded like you have.

I will be thinking and praying for you, so if you see this post, please let me know that date so we can check in on you.

Lots of love sister.....Lori