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For me, I looked for trials to see if I was a candidate, however, since standard treatment was suggested to me (whipple, chemo) I never really considered a clinical trial. 

I might have considered one if it had applied to me, however, no one even suggested it to me. 

It strikes me that it is often the patients job to search out clinical trials and I imagine most people just don't have the strength, time, or emotional reserves to do it.

Just some thoughts.
-Randi-

Pam,

I have been thinking of and praying for Lauren.  I just have this gut feeling that things will be ok.  I am so thankful for your update and that you had some good news to report.  I know things are still precarious and I will continue to think of Lauren and send positive thoughts and prayers.

Sending ((((hugs))))
-Randi-

Dear Moontje,

So sorry to hear your news.  I can only imagine your sadness and fear, but I hope that the news that they can take it out is giving you some comfort.

Sounds like this was detected on a PET scan.  I was wondering if  they did  a biopsy of any sort to confirm it is CC?

Take care,
-Randi-

Oh my Lisa.  Hope you get some relief soon.

Sending positive thoughts and many prayers for Lauren.

Jeeyoung,

I am so very sorry to hear about your dear Mom.  I wish I had something to say to take away the pain and emptiness you must be feeling right now.  Please accept my sincerest condolences.  I hope that your wonderful memories will soon replace the sadness you are feeling now.

Hugs,
-Randi-

Mary,

So sorry to hear what you are going through.  You have an absolutely amazing attitude and that will serve you well.  I will be sending good thoughts your way for Monday, hoping they can place the stent and get your bilirubin down.

((Hugs))
-Randi-

Hello MomfromtheBronx,

I can only speak from my own experience. I agree that to do chemo or not is a very frequent question on this site.  In fact, I think it was the first question I asked when I got on this site when I was first diagnosed.

I had Whipple surgery since my CC was outside the liver in the bile duct near my pancreas.  They got all of the cancer and the pathology showed that I had no lymph node involvement.  My Oncologist said that if there had been lymph node involvement he would strongly suggest chemo, but because there was none, he left the decision up to me (but he leaned toward doing it).  Like others, I was not very keen about doing chemo, but the doctor said that the type I would get (Gemzar) is "well tolerated".  He also made the point that if I didn't do it and this aggressive cancer returned, I may have regrets.

I opted to do chemo for 6 months and while it was no picnic, I was able to get through it and have not regretted doing it.

To chemo or not  is such a personal decision and as Lainy said there are a lot of things to take into consideration (age, stage, health).  No one can tell you whether it will help or not, so it's mostly a crap shoot.

I wish you and your mother the best and let us know how things are going.

Hugs,
-Randi-

This is fabulous news Pam!!  I saw your post in FB and felt so much relief and joy that Lauren had made it through and is on the road to recovery.  She is truly a miracle. You must be exhausted both emotionally and physically after the day you had.  Take care of yourself.  I wish a speedy and (as Nancy said) uneventful recovery for Lauren.  On to the wedding!!

Hugs
-Randi-

So here is my input on the MRI v. PET scans.  From my understanding PET scans have many more false positives then MRIs.   PETs show areas of uptake of 'sugar' which may mean cancer but can also be inflammation (like arthritis). This can cause unnecessary follow up procedures and tests that could be unnecessary.

I have had cancer three times and have NEVER had a PET scan.  So it is not unusual for docs not to want to do PET scans.

Just my personal experience, I am not a doctor
-Randi-

Hi Christine,

Welcome to the site and so sorry that you had a reason to find it.  You will find so much really good information here.  And as you can see by the previous posts, everyone is very willing to help in any way they can.

I went to the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN, for a second opinion a couple of years ago.  I saw Dr. Grothey and he was very nice and just confirmed to be that I was doing the things that he would have recommended as well.  That Mayo Clinic is a well-oiled machine and it just gave comfort to be there knowing that they really know what they are doing.

Please keep us posted on your husband's progress.  My thoughts are with you.

Hugs,
-Randi-