HER2 Support Group Forums - View Single Post

Lori R · 09-24-2011, 07:27 AM

Hi gang,
I am sorry that it has taken me so long to chime in. I think I was dragging my feet, as I had so hoped to post with a NED update from my recent liver resection.

But, I decided my history might be of some value. My onc tried to avoid an invasive surgery so we tried an ablation technique. I had 2 cryosurgeries followed by back up chemo. Unfortunately, the cryosurgeries did not provide a long term solution. But....the cancer hasn't spread outside of my liver for the past 4 years.

It is just soooo hard to know. Was it a good thing to have the cryosurgeries to reduce the spread??? Was it a bad thing? In retrospect my onc wondered if it created a bit of scar tissue that prevented the follow up chemos from getting to the cells.

In retrospect, I am thinking jumping straight to the resection should have been my first choice. Kudos to your Dr. for being willing to promote this procedure. There is DEFINATELY reluctance here in Denver for Stage IV cancer survivors.

The resection was emotionally a challange, as it is major surgery and is to be considered in that light. Good news!! It wasn't as bad as expected. Thanks SO MUCH to the insights and wisom of MissyW and JML I was really prepared. Surgery on Wednesday, I elected to have the epidural for pain management. Very glad I chose that option. Off the epidural by Friday, walking by Friday, out of the hospital by Sunday.

Great advice to ensure you have an advocate with you post surgery. There was a sign over my head about not taking vitals via my left arm and the nurses constantly tried to use the incorrect arm. My sister had to constantly stop them.

Now..my reluctantce piece. I am pleased that I had the surgery even though during the surgery they identified 2 infected lymph nodes that were not picked up via Pet. So I knew that negatively impacted the chance to be "cured". But...I am glad I know. Unfortunately, the cancer has spread in my liver. Hoping Herceptin + Tykerb pushes it back.

I encourage you to move forward with the surgery with confidence. Great advice above regarding how to approach the surgery. Wishing you all the best for a speedy recovery and a CURE!!!

Lori

09-24-2011, 07:27 AM	#19
Lori R Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Evergreen, Colorado Posts: 454	Re: Liver Resection Surgery Hi gang, I am sorry that it has taken me so long to chime in. I think I was dragging my feet, as I had so hoped to post with a NED update from my recent liver resection. But, I decided my history might be of some value. My onc tried to avoid an invasive surgery so we tried an ablation technique. I had 2 cryosurgeries followed by back up chemo. Unfortunately, the cryosurgeries did not provide a long term solution. But....the cancer hasn't spread outside of my liver for the past 4 years. It is just soooo hard to know. Was it a good thing to have the cryosurgeries to reduce the spread??? Was it a bad thing? In retrospect my onc wondered if it created a bit of scar tissue that prevented the follow up chemos from getting to the cells. In retrospect, I am thinking jumping straight to the resection should have been my first choice. Kudos to your Dr. for being willing to promote this procedure. There is DEFINATELY reluctance here in Denver for Stage IV cancer survivors. The resection was emotionally a challange, as it is major surgery and is to be considered in that light. Good news!! It wasn't as bad as expected. Thanks SO MUCH to the insights and wisom of MissyW and JML I was really prepared. Surgery on Wednesday, I elected to have the epidural for pain management. Very glad I chose that option. Off the epidural by Friday, walking by Friday, out of the hospital by Sunday. Great advice to ensure you have an advocate with you post surgery. There was a sign over my head about not taking vitals via my left arm and the nurses constantly tried to use the incorrect arm. My sister had to constantly stop them. Now..my reluctantce piece. I am pleased that I had the surgery even though during the surgery they identified 2 infected lymph nodes that were not picked up via Pet. So I knew that negatively impacted the chance to be "cured". But...I am glad I know. Unfortunately, the cancer has spread in my liver. Hoping Herceptin + Tykerb pushes it back. I encourage you to move forward with the surgery with confidence. Great advice above regarding how to approach the surgery. Wishing you all the best for a speedy recovery and a CURE!!! Lori __________________ 2007 Oct - Diagnosed - Stage IV 5 c.m. IDC - Left Side er/pr- Her2+++ Node + 2/14 - Single Liver Met Double Mastectomy Nov - Begin T+H 2008 Feb-Complete 6 cycles- T&H- NED March - Continue - Herceptin Only April - Rads for 6 weeks 2009 Continue Herceptin - Continue NED April - Recurrance- 3 cm. Liver Met May - Cryosurgery June - November - Abraxane + Herceptin Aug - PET/CT - CTC = 0 Back to NED 2010 January - Continue NED July - Recurrance - 3 cm Liver Met CTC=1 August - Cryosurgery #2 August - November Navelbine November - Back to NED - End Navelbine 2011 Feb - Recur - 4 cm Liver Met - Same Left Lobe March Surgery it is -Couldn't get a clean margin July - Confirmed continued liver involvement August - Begin Herceptin + Tykerb October - Mixed results from H+T Add Abraxane + H + T - Nov - April 2012 January PET Scan - It's working!! April - Back to NED July - Recurrance August - Begin TDM-1 Trial (Taxol + TDM-1)