• Andym
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  • Registered: Fri, 24 Nov 2006
  • Posts: 13

Topic: Introduction

My name is Andrew Morrow and I was told in August this year that I have cholangiocarcinoma or bile duct cancer (it's much easier to say and spell!)  I was taken into hospial as I had really bad stomach pains and I turned jaundice, at this time the Doc's thought I have gall stones.  After ultrasounds and MRI scans thay could not find any stones, so as I was still yellow and in pain they decided to do an ercp and put a stint in the bile duct.  During the ERCP they took cell samples and they turned out to be cancer.  I was they handed over to a Mr Diamond in the Mater hospital in Belfast and he carried out a Whipples procedure.  My cancer had spread through the bile duct and into 1 lymph node, Mr Diamond removed 11 nodes so only 1 was infected.  Thankfully the tumor was at the very bottom of the bile duct and my liver is clean.  I had the op on the 2nd October and I have recovered very well.  I spend less than 2 weeks in hospital.  I then was sent to the Cancer centre in Belfast City Hospital were I was told the tumor was completly removed and the docters have every confidence that I will be fine.  Its all down to time now to make sure it does not come back, I had very clear margins so God willing I will make a full recovery.  I have been offered Chemo to mop up any lose cells and this is due to Start in the 4th December 2006, they are giving me 5FU. 

I don't know too much about this illness except that its very rare, and information that I have read says that recovery is rare but I have every confidence that this cancer will not 'get' me as God has been with me every step of the way, infact because of my cancer I turned to God and committed my life to him, he has carried me every step of they way.

God Bless
Andrew

  • Registered: Fri, 06 Jan 2006
  • Posts: 258

Re: Introduction

Andrew,

Be sure to check this site fullly about your chemo options.  I would press your oncologist to use a chemo cocktail of some kind as that seems to work the best in patients.  Also, try to get Avastin in the mix as well.

Stacie

  • teresa
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  • Registered: Tue, 23 May 2006
  • Posts: 123

Re: Introduction

Hya Andrew I do hope god is good to you.
It Is a shocking thing this cc. and like everyone until you come into contact with this it appears to be virtually unknown.
However, there are some folks on here that are doing well and I hope and pray that you will be one of them. good luck and please keep us informed as to how you continue. love and light to you alan's mom (remembrance)

U.K.Member
  • Andym
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  • Registered: Fri, 24 Nov 2006
  • Posts: 13

Re: Introduction

Thanks all i will mention the chemo next week, I have been transfered to a hospital closer to home only about 2 miles from home how handy is that!  I got an apointment to meet the doc next tuesday so i will mention the drugs then.  I will keep you all updated.
Thanks
Andrew

  • Andym
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  • Registered: Fri, 24 Nov 2006
  • Posts: 13

Re: Introduction

Hi all its been awhile since i have been on.  Chemo started last december and they have given me 5FU its been really tough I have had lots of side effects but i start my last dose tomorrow and thats me finished.  Docs are still really happy with my progress they have said they are really confident the cancer has been removed and they see no reason why it should return, probably as there is next to no bile duct left LOL!  but seriously its been a long road since august but the end is in site.

Take care
Andrew