1 Topic by Suzannegm (edited by Suzannegm Sat, 29 Aug 2009 18:55:42)

  • From: Canton, Georgia
  • Registered: Sat, 30 Aug 2008
  • Posts: 146

Topic: Radioembolization Y-90 sirspheres procedure completed

Hi All! 

Well, I'm 3 days past having the Y-90 beads inserted and so far so good.  I'm feeling OK and in fact spent a good chunk of today at the mall with my husband.  I want to give you my experience so far in case anyone else is able to have this treatment. 

First, I was *extremely* surprised that my insurance company approved this procedure really quickly.  I had read that there had been denials and delays by others insurance companies so I was expecting the worst.  The only thing I can figure is that maybe because since I have done every other possible procedure or surgery that quite honestly we're running out of things to try.  But believe me, I'm not looking a gift horse in the mouth.

So here's the deal.  They tell me I may start having flu-like symptoms in a week or two, but maybe not, that could last a week up to 1 month.  And some mild paid, but maybe not.  It just depends on the person, and how strongly the tumors are affected by the radiation.  Currently they have found 20+ tumors in my new liver, most of which are under 1 cm, but 3-4 are at about 1 cm.  I'll keep you posted on how that part goes.

As for the procedure itself, it was very much like the "shunt study/liver arteriogram" that was done approx 1 week in advance of the actual procedure.  I was given light sedation with a combo of the drugs versed and fentanyl, which allows you to respond to the surgeon's commands (holding your breath for the x-rays) but you don't remember anything.  The hardest part for me is having to lie (lay/lie) still on my back for 5-6 hours while the puncture in my femoral artery closes up.  I was able to go home the same day, but have been sleeping in the guest bedroom with the door shut so my cats don't get radiated since they like to curl up with me.  I did that for 3 nights.  I was told after 3 days there really shouldn't be any detectible radiation externally.

I will go for new scans in about 2 months to find out of the beads are working.  My doctor wants to do another PET and MRI, he gets a much more complete story of what's going on in there.  I'm also scheduled to start a new chemo treatment, Folfox, about 2 weeks after the procedure.  I've done a bit of research on it and it seems to be a fairly free-of-tough-side effects treatment.  The worst I've read about is sensitivity to cold, cold drinks, cold food, cold air.  Lucky me that I'm starting it just as fall is around the corner.

If anyone has any questions, because I'm sure I've glossed or skipped over something, please feel free to ask.  I'm very early into this treatment so I will add to this post as I progress through it, and have any new info to add.

(wow! this is a longer post than I thought it would be)

- Suzanne
  • From: Minnesota
  • Registered: Sat, 21 Mar 2009
  • Posts: 270

Re: Radioembolization Y-90 sirspheres procedure completed

Suzanne;
Thanks for sharing your experiemce with this treatment. Glad to hear you are feeling well.
Take care and God Bless,
Jamie

  • From: Kalmar, Sweden
  • Registered: Sun, 20 May 2007
  • Posts: 1,951

Re: Radioembolization Y-90 sirspheres procedure completed

Suzanne,
GO COCKS! Ok, onto serious matters...good luck with the new procedure. I asked about it with my doctor but they are sticking with the chemo for now. I guess I was on something similar to FOLFOX. Apparently xeloda is a drug that came out of it. I had those cold side effects as well. Not nice. You might want to hang some gloves from the fridge so you seem them to remind yourself to wear them before you pick up that milk! Go and get your fill of ice cream too. And take a pair of gloves and a hat with you to the doctor, even the slightest breeze can cause pain. Thankfully you live in the south so it wont get too cold. Take care and GO COCKS! smile

Kris

Cancer is a word, not a sentence.

36 year old patient with buckets of hope
  • Registered: Sat, 23 Jan 2010
  • Posts: 20

Re: Radioembolization Y-90 sirspheres procedure completed

I had the Sir-Sphere in Oct, wonderful!! That is the only word I can use for this procedure. I never got ill and it shrank my tumor 25%-50% . Then in December I had a chemoembolizism, still waiting to hear if this is working, go back to the Mayo in Feb. But all my bloodwork is going up and I only have slight pain. I have 1 huge tumor and 5 walnut size smaller ones in my liver and 5 small peas size tumors in my lungs. The biggest one was about the size of an orange and now it looks like a tangerine. Hopefully it will look like a grape or be shriveled up and dying. I am so thankful for the newest procedure that the Mayo Clinic has for this cancer. I didn't get ill with the Sir-Sphere, but I got knocked on my butt with the embolization. But I never stopped taking my normal chemo treatments and so, that was like a double whammy on my system. I was so tired not just ill. It zapped all my energy.
I am 52, and strong willed, with red hair. I believe in Jesus Christ and the power of prayer. I truly believ without this I would have died a long time ago. I was diagnoised in Sept, and was given less then 6 months. But with the Lord and the Mayo Clinic I was just given another 6 months because of the treatments. Praise the Lord they are working! Hopefully I can continue to improve until they come up with another treatment to combat this horrible cancer.

  • Registered: Sat, 23 Jan 2010
  • Posts: 20

Re: Radioembolization Y-90 sirspheres procedure completed

I had the Sir-Sphere in Oct, wonderful!! That is the only word I can use for this procedure. I never got ill and it shrank my tumor 25%-50% . Then in December I had a chemoembolizism, still waiting to hear if this is working, go back to the Mayo in Feb. But all my bloodwork is going up and I only have slight pain. I have 1 huge tumor and 5 walnut size smaller ones in my liver and 5 small peas size tumors in my lungs. The biggest one was about the size of an orange and now it looks like a tangerine. Hopefully it will look like a grape or be shriveled up and dying. I am so thankful for the newest procedure that the Mayo Clinic has for this cancer. I didn't get ill with the Sir-Sphere, but I got knocked on my butt with the embolization. But I never stopped taking my normal chemo treatments and so, that was like a double whammy on my system. I was so tired not just ill. It zapped all my energy.
I am 52, and strong willed, with red hair. I believe in Jesus Christ and the power of prayer. I truly believ without this I would have died a long time ago. I was diagnoised in Sept, and was given less then 6 months. But with the Lord and the Mayo Clinic I was just given another 6 months because of the treatments. Praise the Lord they are working! Hopefully I can continue to improve until they come up with another treatment to combat this horrible cancer.

  • Gavin
  • Gavin
  • Moderator
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  • From: Scotland - Dundee
  • Registered: Tue, 23 Sep 2008
  • Posts: 4,832

Re: Radioembolization Y-90 sirspheres procedure completed

Hi clkempf,

Welcome to the site, although I am sorry that you have to be here. And thank you for sharing your good news with us all. I hope the good news continues for you and that can report further such good news to us all.

I hope you will come back here often, post a lot and ask loads of questions as you will get a ton of help and support from us all. Loads of positive thoughts coming your way and I hope the results in Feb are good.

My best wishes to you,

Gavin

  • From: Phoenix AZ
  • Registered: Fri, 13 Jan 2006
  • Posts: 8,215

Re: Radioembolization Y-90 sirspheres procedure completed

Hello CLKMPF and welcome to our family. We are so glad to hear your good news. I hope when you go back to Mayo in Feb. they find that all that "fruit" in you has become dried up or at least well on it's way! Thank you for all that good information.

Teddy ~In our hearts forever~ATTITUDE is EVERYTHING
Any suggestion I offer is intended as friendly advice based solely on my own experience. Please consult your doctor for professional guidance.
  • epato
  • New Member
  • Offline
  • Registered: Thu, 09 Dec 2010
  • Posts: 9

Re: Radioembolization Y-90 sirspheres procedure completed

My father was made y 90 radiotherapy.
His tumor was 8 cm in January will make a tac to know the results.
I am Italian and my father is in Bologna with Prof. Pinna.

  • pak001
  • Senior Member
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  • From: Cleveland, OH
  • Registered: Fri, 04 Nov 2011
  • Posts: 77

Re: Radioembolization Y-90 sirspheres procedure completed

How are you doing now? I hope you're doing well.  How did you tolerate the treatment?

Anna
  • Registered: Fri, 12 May 2006
  • Posts: 8,165

Re: Radioembolization Y-90 sirspheres procedure completed

paak....we have not heard from epato since Dec. 2010 so it is unlikely for him to find your posting. 
Websites are difficult to navigate (I think) and each comes with a different set conditions. 
In our case, the date of the poster can be found immediately on top of the name. 
You might want to contact paak via his website e-mail address, which you can find on the left side, in his square, but above your name. 
Good luck,
Marion

THIS INFORMATION IS NOT INTENDED NOR IMPLIED TO BE A SUBSTITUTE FOR PROFESSIONAL MEDICAL ADVICE. YOU SHOULD ALWAYS SEEK THE ADVICE OF YOUR PHYSICIAN OR OTHER QUALIFIED HEALTH CARE PROVIDER