Re: Back from meeting with the surgeon...

[Guest guest]

Big big big hugs Colleen,I will be thinking of you on Thursday, the

omens are good that you have got an operation so quickly and your

medical staff are so aware of what you are going to go through.

Keep drinking that dairy and do keep us up to date with some sort of

diary!

Best wishes .

> It is definitely cancer, and they think it is cholangiocarcinoma. But

it is not in the ducts --

> that they can tell. They are going to be operating on my on Thursday

the 21st.

[Guest guest]

Colleen,

Wow, what news. Good luck on Thursday, I'm SO glad for you that you

feel good about the surgical team. I wish my doctors told me to gain

weight and eat more dairy, I would have ice cream three times a

day Treat yourself really well today, get a massage, be with

people you love. I am looking forward to your journal updates and

reading all about how the surgery went. There is sometimes luck even

in bad luck situations - it's great that they were able to get you

into surgery so fast.

We will all be thinking of you tomorrow!!! Best of luck for a smooth

surgery and recovery.

Ruth

>

> I'm back...

>

> It is definitely cancer, and they think it is cholangiocarcinoma.

[Guest guest]

Colleen,

Will be lifting you and the medical team up in prayer.

Best,

Dawn

Back from meeting with the surgeon...

I'm back...It is definitely cancer, and they think it is cholangiocarcinoma. But it is not in the ducts -- that they can tell. They are going to be operating on my on Thursday the 21st. Would you believe that there is another patient with the same condition and needing the same surgery? They scheduled him for a resection of the right lobe, and he backed out. Dr. Hertl left the surgery booked, thinking that I might take it. I guess there are no coincidences.SInce the tumor is pressing on a poral vein, and I have an enlarged lymph node just outside my liver, the big concern is if seed cancer cells have gotten into my blood stream and taken root elsewhere. He told me that I will likely loose 8-10 pounds (I weigh 120 pounds as it is) from the surgery and that I need to make eating and gaining weight my job. He told me that lots of dairy will be key in regrowing my liver. I must say that he was a wonderfully warm and kind man. I've not met many Bavarians with good senses of humor! I feel very good about having him perform the surgery, and that my care will be excellent. The lady who did my pre-admission EKG gave me a hug today! I must say that everyone there has been super-kind and helpful.That is about all I can think of now. I will be in touch and perhaps I can set up an email blast or one of those patient care websites to keep you all updated.Regards,Colleen