Hep C Discussion Forum

mallani · Guru

RE: Mt Sinai Surgery Day

tomyboy · Senior Member

Hi all, Had our second followup appt with surgeon at Mt Sinai. We recieved what you all said, great news. His liver is functioning great, and although we haven't met with the oncologist yet, Dr. reports Tom will be taking an oral chemotherapy nexavar, which was approved a few years ago to treat liver cancer with great results. It was previously used for kidne His prognoisis right now seems very good. I am very grateful and relieved. He has to have another stent put in first, before he starts the chemo, as this is a priority. Hey he had one put in before the tumour was removed, and that was a walk in the park. Right now, they want him to feel. He looks and feels great and that is important. I know he has a long road ahead of him, but the surgeon even told Tom, next year will bring great news for Hep C patients with his hard to beat geno type. He reports a breakthru treatment is right around the corner and maybe Tom will be able to beat his once and for all. Until then, we pray and wish the best for all of you, thanks for the prayers, thoughts, well wishes, information and compassion and listening to me vent. I'll still be lurking around checking on everyone. Laura

JoAnneh · Guru

Laura, I have a friend who felt great,
Worked full time, etc...
Had her thyroid checked due to weigh gain,
discovered liver cancer.
Unable to operate, 2 medicines tried
Have not helped.
Your husband is very fortunate!
Wishing you both the best!

tomyboy · Senior Member

I just want to thank you all for your kind words. I have shared all the information I received with Tom. You are all so compassionate and informative and again, I am very grateful I stumbled on this web site last year. I am not very bright with the medical terms and it worries me to think I may be missing some kind of information or didn't ask the right questions. Although Tom is informative and doctors are amazed at how much he actually medically knows, I am realizing it is due to all the years he has been trying so many different treatments to cure his Hep C, along with researching, he has learned like all of you lots. I hope to get him himself on this forum at some point, as I know he would find it truly amazing and a wealth of information. Sad to say, he is not a keyboard typist, and actually very smart and quiet, and I am the quite the opposite. I will post again at times, after we settle in with the oncologist. @ Mallani, I googled the Sorafenib treatment and will inquire about it when we get the appt to meet him.@ Tig56, although you made me cry, you are so very right. OUr news should be celebrated as it was caught early enough they could remove it. Sorry for all your losses. @ Biggyb thanks for the encouragement. @ Cinnamon girl, you ALWAYS make me feel better and it is always a pleasure getting a response from you. YOU are a beautiful person and always made me feel welcome from day 1 on this forum even though I wasn't the actual "patient". Keep it going!! Thank you all, and wishing you all the best of health. Laura and Tom

Tig · Admin

I have lost several family members as well as close friends to cancer of one sort or another. I've spent hours by their side, helping them through surgery and chemo. I want both of you to know that while it doesn't seem like you're very "lucky" right now, trust me, you are. I lost my sister in 2006 to complications from what started as a tumor in her liver. She fought hard to get the wonderful news your husband's doctor just gave you. I would celebrate that news! You've been told that the tumor was completely removed, that's the best news you could ask for! I would walk into that Oncologist's office with my head held high!! He has gone through courses of chemo before and going through it one more time to secure that great prognosis is an invitation I would gladly accept. None of us know what tomorrow will bring, let alone next year or 5 years. Grasp ahold of what you can and appreciate it, enjoy it. Every day is a gift and each one of them is worth fighting for... God bless and keep fighting that fight!

tomyboy · Senior Member

Thanks for the input, I am a nervous wreck. Although he won't admit it, I know that Tom is scared.

Biggyb · Guru

Laura, i don't know about chemo but i know they compare this treatment to it. Anyway best of luck.

mallani · Guru

Hi Laura,

Great news that the surgeon could resect the entire tumour, and that it is medium in activity. Tom will probably take a drug called Sorafenib, which has only been around for a few years. It is very effective and best wishes for the future. As you know, the chances of a recurrence are pretty high, but who knows what can happen. Cheers.

tomyboy · Senior Member

Hi all, We got the biopsy report last week. Surgeon reports he removed the entire liver tumor which he got early. He reports the cancer is on the scale of aggressiveness is medium. therefore, Tom will need to do chemotherapy. The doctor reports he thinks he will be able to do the oral type. I told Tom the side effects cannot be any worse than the four hep C treatments he has done in the past. He is still in the poor me syndrome as he does get dealt bad cards. We go back to the city tomorrow and they will remove the stitches from where he had the drain removed. The sutures from the surgery are inside, and are closed with steri tape. I know he isn't on his death bed, but I am still concerned about the cancer coming back. He is stage four chirohos and geno type 1 Hep C. I am sure they don't have a crystal ball but does anyone know what the chances are of his tumor growing back. I am afraid Tom may need to take chemo for a long time. does this hurt the kidneys? should I ask these questions tomorrow to the surgeon or should I wait until to meet the oncologist. Head is still spinning. They got the tumor in the early stage and I beleive that is a plus. Hope all is well and thanks for listening. Laura

Cinnamon Girl · Guru

Hi Laura, that`s very good news that the surgeon was able to remove the tumour, and thank goodness it was caught early enough. My husband had liver cancer but it was way too late by the time it was diagnosed and there was nothing that could be done, his liver was full of tumours.

My heart goes out to both of you going through such a very stressful time, remember you have good reason to keep hoping for the best and to stay optimistic. Let your love and compassion be your strength.

Sending all very best wishes to you both, take care, Jill

Karen · Senior Member

Hi Laura...You are very strong and sound like a person with a beautiful heart. Take care of yourself...sending prayers and well wishes to you both.

Biggyb · Guru

Thank You very much Laura for the update, i only hope for the best for you 2..Keep us updated..

tomyboy · Senior Member

Hi all, Thanks for all the thoughts and prayers. Tom's liver surgery went well and I can't say enough about the staff at Mt Sinai hospital in NYC. Tom had five scary first days as his lungs collapsed during surgery and he needed to be on oxygen for five days and was outta his mind from the surgery and meds. He was a very difficult patient (which he doesn't remember) but throughout his ordeal, the hospital staff was the most caring, supportive, and knowledgable staff we have ever encountered. The surgeon reports he removed the entire tumor and saw no other suspicious material in his liver. We came home on Wednesday and are scheduled tomorrow at 2:30 with the surgeon for a follow up and for the "team" to review, discuss and disclose his biopsy findings with us. We pray there were no other cancer cells lingering around and the type of cancer removed is not an aggressive type. He is a little sore and grumpy still. I think the hardest part for him is relaxing and allowing people to do things for us, that he normally does, i.e, trimming the hedges and wacking before I mow. He already has empited our basement dehumidifyer and was instructed not to lift anything over a gallon of milk. He is making me want to scream at times, but I gotta love him through all of this. We pray we get great news tomorrow, that they removed it ALL. I stayed at the Mt Sinai Transplant Living Center for eight nights. Tom's health story is minimal compared to many I met there. Almost everyone who was staying there had a loved one waiting to recieve a transplant or for a loved ones whose transplant was rejected. I feel honored to have met so many loved ones supporting a family member through these difficulties. Being with them, gave me a whole new outlook on life as each day needs to be cherished. You never know what tomorrow will bring. I wish for each and everyone of you, such success during and after your treatment. Thank you all again for the kind words, there may be a time Tom will need a transplant, and I now know, I have the strength in me to support him. Keep him in your prayers!!! Keep the faith, Sincerely, Laura

Biggyb · Guru

Very good luck to you Laura, in my prayers.

Karen · Senior Member

Hi Laura....Sending good wishes..

Bills · Guru

Me too I'll be thinking of you both

Bills

mallani · Guru

Hi Laura,

We'll be thinking of you and Tom. Hope all goes well.

tomyboy · Senior Member

Hi all, Just checking in to say hello and hope you are all doing staying hep c free or on treatment. Just wanted to let you know the day has arrived for Tom's liver surgery. We are going down to the city tonight and his surgery his scheduled for tomorrow morning. Happy to report at his pre surgical testing last week we met 3 couples, 2 whose husbands had liver resections, and one a transplant recipiant. ALL had positive results. Now that's what I like to hear. Please keep him in your prayers as we are hoping for the best. Will post next week, and I hope it will be positive news.

All the best,

Laura

Cinnamon Girl · Guru

Sending all very best wishes to you both, Laura. Very encouraging for you to hear from other people in the same position who`ve been through it and were successful. Keep up posted...you`ll be in my thoughts tomorrow.

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