Back from meeting with the surgeon...

[Guest guest]

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