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jessica · 11-29-2005, 11:11 AM

Thanks for all the wonderful input! I was feeling really overwhelmed, started reaching for the bottle of Xanax, but then decided to post here FIRST. Many of these ideas have been swirling around in my head, but I just wasn't sure. Now I feel more confident, armed with some good questions for my Onc on Thurs.
Al~Thanks for your suggestions...I do know the Surgical Onc will say, as he has said before,'none of the embolizing techniques are curative & it's time for us to take care of this spot once and for all'. I admire his optimism, but am a little weary of how anxious he is to fire up his scalpel! Interestingly, he said the RFA was never going to be completely successful for my circumstances, which is quite a bit different than what the Interventional Radiologist implied.I questioned why then, did I have RFA if complete response was not a possibility?He did a little of "hmmm....ahh...hmm..." I suspect b/c he didn't want to dispute a colleague's opinion..."Honor among thieves" is what I like to call it. I would really like to find a way to prevent so much cutting, especially on the IVC.From what I've read, we need a 1" negative margin around the lesion.I just don't know if any of those techniques will successfully achieve that. The RFA I had back in Jan left a peripheral edge, closest to the IVC, viable but successfully cooked the center of the lesion. It was recommended that I do 2 weeks chemo, RFA, 2 weeks chemo, but instead I had 4 weeks chemo, RFA, watch & wait...I wonder if I would have had more success if we had followed the recommded way...Regardless, I'm going to ask my onc to bring the IR in on our consults to get his opinion as well...And wait for the SABC as you suggested!
Kristen~what a brilliant idea to ask my breast surgeon! I respect her implicitly & really like her as a person & know I can trust her to guide me towards someone she respects & trusts too.
Laura~thanks for all the insight...there's nothing like talking to someone who's "walked the walk". I'll certainly be in touch w/you directly. Thanks for that.

Looks like Hawaii's morning drizzle has burned off & the sun's coming out...

Prayers, Faith & Courage!

11-29-2005, 11:11 AM	#5
jessica Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Atlanta Posts: 87	Thanks for all the wonderful input! I was feeling really overwhelmed, started reaching for the bottle of Xanax, but then decided to post here FIRST. Many of these ideas have been swirling around in my head, but I just wasn't sure. Now I feel more confident, armed with some good questions for my Onc on Thurs. Al~Thanks for your suggestions...I do know the Surgical Onc will say, as he has said before,'none of the embolizing techniques are curative & it's time for us to take care of this spot once and for all'. I admire his optimism, but am a little weary of how anxious he is to fire up his scalpel! Interestingly, he said the RFA was never going to be completely successful for my circumstances, which is quite a bit different than what the Interventional Radiologist implied.I questioned why then, did I have RFA if complete response was not a possibility?He did a little of "hmmm....ahh...hmm..." I suspect b/c he didn't want to dispute a colleague's opinion..."Honor among thieves" is what I like to call it. I would really like to find a way to prevent so much cutting, especially on the IVC.From what I've read, we need a 1" negative margin around the lesion.I just don't know if any of those techniques will successfully achieve that. The RFA I had back in Jan left a peripheral edge, closest to the IVC, viable but successfully cooked the center of the lesion. It was recommended that I do 2 weeks chemo, RFA, 2 weeks chemo, but instead I had 4 weeks chemo, RFA, watch & wait...I wonder if I would have had more success if we had followed the recommded way...Regardless, I'm going to ask my onc to bring the IR in on our consults to get his opinion as well...And wait for the SABC as you suggested! Kristen~what a brilliant idea to ask my breast surgeon! I respect her implicitly & really like her as a person & know I can trust her to guide me towards someone she respects & trusts too. Laura~thanks for all the insight...there's nothing like talking to someone who's "walked the walk". I'll certainly be in touch w/you directly. Thanks for that. Looks like Hawaii's morning drizzle has burned off & the sun's coming out... Prayers, Faith & Courage!