• From: Uniontown, Ohio
  • Registered: Fri, 23 Sep 2011
  • Posts: 1,487

Topic: Lauren's Theraspheres

Hi Everyone,

After waiting for almost a week and a half after Lauren's mapping for Theraspheres, I finally broke down and e-mailed her radiologist that will be doing the procedure. I had called the number I was given by the nurse practitioner three times last week. I finally reached  the nurse practitoner on Friday last week. She said she would speak to the doctor on Monday and call us. Well, today is Wed. and still no call. We hadn't heard anything about Lauren being a good candidate for the procedure. I felt that if we hadn't heard anything, that everything was still a go. I was right. the wonderful doctor e-mailed me about 20 minutes after I e-mailed her and she apologized for nobody getting back to us. She is so busy doing procedures like this that I couldn't be upset with her for not calling. It was up to her nurse and she kind of dropped the ball. I'm sure she is really busy as well.  She said the mapping went great and Lauren's lung shunt was only 7.1%. From what I understand, the amount that can go to the lungs has to be under 20%, so 7.1 is great!! They ordered her Theraspheres yesterday and she will be having the procedure next Wed. May 16. My birthday is the 15th, so what a great birthday present that would be if the procedure kills the tumors!! I will keep you all posted. Please say a few extra prayers for Lauren. Thanks. Love you all.

-Pam

Hoping for a miracle for my daughter, Lauren.

My comments, suggestions, and opinions are based on my experience as a caretaker for my daughter, Lauren and from reading anything I can get my hands on about Cholangiocarcinoma. Please consult a physician for professional guidance.

Pamela's Website

  • Registered: Fri, 12 May 2006
  • Posts: 8,157

Re: Lauren's Theraspheres

Pam...just the news we want to hear.  Birthday present and Mothers Day present all in one; congratulations.
Tons of love and support is heading Lauren's way.
Hugs,
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
  • From: Willow Grove, PA
  • Registered: Wed, 06 Apr 2011
  • Posts: 772

Re: Lauren's Theraspheres

Yay! I've been waiting to hear! I'm so happy for Lauren. And you, too Pam. You know she is in my prayers every night but I'll be praying the theraspheres work this week.... please, please????
Huggs!

Kris

Don't just have minutes in the day; have moments in time.
  • From: Hilton, New York
  • Registered: Fri, 15 Jan 2010
  • Posts: 674

Re: Lauren's Theraspheres

Thrilled thrilled thrilled for you!  I never look in this part of the discussion board but am so glad I took a look here today!!  Must have been kismet!
Sending good thoughts your way!
-Randi-

Survivor of breast cancer (1994), thyroid cancer (1999), cholangiocarcinoma (2009).

My comments, suggestions, and opinions are based only on my personal experience as a cancer survivor. Please consult a physician for professional guidance.
  • Lainy
  • Lainy
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  • From: Phoenix AZ
  • Registered: Fri, 13 Jan 2006
  • Posts: 8,199

Re: Lauren's Theraspheres

Here's to May 16th. There is nothing that can stand in the way of Mom and Daughter team of Pam and Lauren. I am sending you the very best I can and crossing everything I own, even my eyes!

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.
  • EDH
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  • From: Long Island, New York
  • Registered: Tue, 08 May 2012
  • Posts: 23

Re: Lauren's Theraspheres

Pam, congratulations. That is fantastic news. My husband went for the mapping last week and we were told his shunt is 21 so he is not a candidate. He also got really sick from the mapping.  He had severe pain, loss of appetite and now platelets are down. We were really hoping to be able to do the procedure   IR has now recommended bland embolization. We understand it can be very painful. The process is to cut off all blood supply to the tumor. My question is if this happens how does the body rid itself of the toxins? 

Where are you having your procedure done?
I will keep you and Lauren in my prayers. Keep the Faith.
EDH

With God all things are possible. Believe!
  • eli
  • eli
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  • From: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
  • Registered: Tue, 08 Nov 2011
  • Posts: 561

Re: Lauren's Theraspheres

Pam,

I'm so glad you got the good news about the mapping. Now let's hope that May 16th procedure kills the tumor, to make the surgery possible. I will keep everything crossed for Lauren.

My very best wishes to both of you.

Eli

8 Reply by Pamela (edited by Pamela Thu, 10 May 2012 09:21:06)

  • From: Uniontown, Ohio
  • Registered: Fri, 23 Sep 2011
  • Posts: 1,487

Re: Lauren's Theraspheres

Thanks to all of you for your well wishes. It is nice to have the support of such caring people.

EDH- I am really sorry your husband is not a candidate. He just missed the cut off mark. Boo. He might have been really sick after the actual procedure If he was that sick after the mapping.  Bland embolization might be your answer, but if they say it is painful might make me nervous. Usually they tell you that things won't hurt and they end up really hurting. Lauren said her liver biopsy was the most painful procedure ever, and they told her it wouldn't hurt at all. So now she always expects that everything will hurt and prepares herself for it. If your husband does go ahead with the bland, I sure would ask for some really good painkillers. I don't think anyone should suffer with pain and there are so many different drugs out there that doctors can give. As to what you say about the procedure and what happens to the toxins with regard to the bland, I would guess that if the blood supply is cut off, the tumor would just die. Lauren's surgeon said that if her tumors die, he could go in and scoop them out. We envision a melon baller. Haha.   Lauren did really well after her mapping. She was really sore at the puncture sight and had a hard time lifting her leg, but other than that pretty good.  She also had chemo the day before the mapping and still was hooked up to her pump with 5-FU during the procedure. Talk about a trooper. She amazes me. She is treated at University of Michigan Hospital. What a top notch facility. We couldn't be happier with her treatment dealing with her cancer.  I wish you and your husband all the best and I hope you find the right treatment for him.

-Pam

Hoping for a miracle for my daughter, Lauren.

My comments, suggestions, and opinions are based on my experience as a caretaker for my daughter, Lauren and from reading anything I can get my hands on about Cholangiocarcinoma. Please consult a physician for professional guidance.

Pamela's Website

  • Gavin
  • Gavin
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  • From: Scotland - Dundee
  • Registered: Tue, 23 Sep 2008
  • Posts: 4,825

Re: Lauren's Theraspheres

Hi Pam,

Yay! This is great news for you and Lauren, I'm well chuffed for the both of you! My fingers are crossed for the 16th and of course I am sending Lauren tons and tons of positive thoughts her way. A great birthday present for you!

Hugs,

Gavin

  • From: Hilton, New York
  • Registered: Fri, 15 Jan 2010
  • Posts: 674

Re: Lauren's Theraspheres

ok Gavin, I need to know what "well chuffed" means in American english smile

Survivor of breast cancer (1994), thyroid cancer (1999), cholangiocarcinoma (2009).

My comments, suggestions, and opinions are based only on my personal experience as a cancer survivor. Please consult a physician for professional guidance.
  • Gavin
  • Gavin
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  • From: Scotland - Dundee
  • Registered: Tue, 23 Sep 2008
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Re: Lauren's Theraspheres

Hi Randi,

Ha! Well chuffed means that I am very happy, hence why I was well chuffed for Lauren and Pam! Sorry, my language and phrases, sometimes I forget that not everyone will understand what I am saying!!! Eg - I could have said "Gaun yersel Doll.....which basically means "you go girl, great stuff!" And if I was to speak in broad Dundonian, especially if I was talking quickly then even my friends from south of the border here in the UK would probably not understand me!!! Ha Ha!!!

Hugs,

Gavin

  • From: Hilton, New York
  • Registered: Fri, 15 Jan 2010
  • Posts: 674

Re: Lauren's Theraspheres

Awan Gavin!  I figured it was some type of cheering smile  I will work that into my conversation this weekend and give you a footnote!!

(ok, I definitely looked up Dundonian on the web!)

Survivor of breast cancer (1994), thyroid cancer (1999), cholangiocarcinoma (2009).

My comments, suggestions, and opinions are based only on my personal experience as a cancer survivor. Please consult a physician for professional guidance.
  • Gavin
  • Gavin
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  • From: Scotland - Dundee
  • Registered: Tue, 23 Sep 2008
  • Posts: 4,825

Re: Lauren's Theraspheres

Yay!!! You got it Randi!!! Noo yer well on yir wey to bein an onorary Dundonian!!! smile   

Some phrases and words to perhaps bring into your conversations this weekend with your fellow New Yorker's......

http://wikitravel.org/en/Dundee

Would sooo love to see their reactions to some of these. Especially if you all go out for a meal and it's not nice, and you describe the food as minging, or mingin as we would say here!!! smile

Good luck!!!

Gavin

  • From: Uniontown, Ohio
  • Registered: Fri, 23 Sep 2011
  • Posts: 1,487

Re: Lauren's Theraspheres

Hi Everyone,

We will be leaving this afternoon for Michigan.  Theraspheres are tomorrow at noon!!  Pray for dramatic results and few side effects.  Love to all of you.

-Pam

Hoping for a miracle for my daughter, Lauren.

My comments, suggestions, and opinions are based on my experience as a caretaker for my daughter, Lauren and from reading anything I can get my hands on about Cholangiocarcinoma. Please consult a physician for professional guidance.

Pamela's Website

  • Lainy
  • Lainy
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  • From: Phoenix AZ
  • Registered: Fri, 13 Jan 2006
  • Posts: 8,199

Re: Lauren's Theraspheres

Pam & Lauren, you got it, tons of prayers and we are so with you! You girls go and kick you know what!

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.
  • From: Willow Grove, PA
  • Registered: Wed, 06 Apr 2011
  • Posts: 772

Re: Lauren's Theraspheres

I've been praying for Lauren's first treatment to go great for over a week now! And I ain't stopping till I hear how great it went. Finger, toes, and eyes crossed, too.
Lots of love going out to you,
Kris

Kris

Don't just have minutes in the day; have moments in time.
  • Lainy
  • Lainy
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  • From: Phoenix AZ
  • Registered: Fri, 13 Jan 2006
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Re: Lauren's Theraspheres

Kris, just a shout out to you...how are you doing?

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.
  • Gavin
  • Gavin
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  • From: Scotland - Dundee
  • Registered: Tue, 23 Sep 2008
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Re: Lauren's Theraspheres

Hi Pam,

Loads of positive thoughts for Lauren coming from over here! I hope that it all goes well and everything is crossed here.

Hugs,

Gavin

19 Reply by Pamela (edited by Pamela Wed, 16 May 2012 20:54:49)

  • From: Uniontown, Ohio
  • Registered: Fri, 23 Sep 2011
  • Posts: 1,487

Re: Lauren's Theraspheres

I have already posted on Facebook throughout the day to let people know how Lauren's procedure went. The whole day went awesome. I am wondering if the nurses got talked to or what.  Remember our last ordeal with the mapping.  They were all so nice today, practically bending over backwards to please us. They wanted to give Lauren Zofran in her IV for nausea and we told them she had taken that when she first started chemo and it gave her really bad headaches. We told them that she gets Aloxi in her IV now before chemo and it works great. Her poor nurse went on a wild goose chase through the whole hospital looking for this stuff. They only use it in the infusion area where they give chemo, which is where she found some. It is really expensive. Like $1200 for a vial. Yikes. I thought that was so great that they got Lauren what she wanted. I also spoke with her nurse about the exposure last time and she handled that too. They made sure Lauren was covered the whole time and only exposed the area used for doing the embolization. I cannot tell you how much more of a positive experience this time was. Her Radiology Oncologist came out to the waiting room after the procedure and told us everything went super. The Interventional Radiologist kept Lauren laughing in the OR. She was great. Dr. Sonnenday popped in to see her also and even came to see us in the waiting room. I cannot say enough good things about this man. What busy surgeon just stops by to say hi and let us know what he plans on doing. Lauren's does. He is a special man. I told him it means a lot to all of us for him to take the time and post on here. We are so lucky to have him taking care of Lauren. Lauren is doing ok tonight. She is really tired and the puncture sight is sore. We will be heading home tomorrow and hopefully those tumors are getting a good zap. Thanks for all your prayers. They really helped us today.

Love, -Pam

Hoping for a miracle for my daughter, Lauren.

My comments, suggestions, and opinions are based on my experience as a caretaker for my daughter, Lauren and from reading anything I can get my hands on about Cholangiocarcinoma. Please consult a physician for professional guidance.

Pamela's Website

  • From: Willow Grove, PA
  • Registered: Wed, 06 Apr 2011
  • Posts: 772

Re: Lauren's Theraspheres

Pam:
I also posted on FB how happy I am to hear all this. I am so glad Lauren's procedure went so well. Here's to some "zapping"!!

And Lainy:
I'm doing okay. I have a CT scan next week. Just waiting till then to find out what's next on the agenda. Dizziness, etc. is better so I went for a brief ride on the "new to me" scooter Sunday. Hope to get out tomorrow too.
Hugs to all

Kris

Don't just have minutes in the day; have moments in time.
  • From: Revelstoke BC
  • Registered: Sat, 01 Jan 2011
  • Posts: 552

Re: Lauren's Theraspheres

Pam,  So happy to hear everything went well for Lauren! You guys really do have a great upbeat team there! As I speak I am visualizing Lauren's tumors shrinking and shrinking. Hugs. Nancy

Loving my husband from afar.
  • Registered: Fri, 12 May 2006
  • Posts: 8,157

Re: Lauren's Theraspheres

Pam...I will continue to visualize these shrinking tumors.  So glad that everything went well.
Hugs,
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
  • Gavin
  • Gavin
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  • From: Scotland - Dundee
  • Registered: Tue, 23 Sep 2008
  • Posts: 4,825

Re: Lauren's Theraspheres

Hi Pam,

That is great to hear that all went well for Lauren and that everything went so much better than the last time. Have a safe trip home and hoping that these tumours took a serious zapping!!

Hugs,

Gavin

  • Lainy
  • Lainy
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  • From: Phoenix AZ
  • Registered: Fri, 13 Jan 2006
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Re: Lauren's Theraspheres

Zappity do dah! I am so relieved and happy that all went so well! A big thanks to you, Pam for keeping us so informed. Yeah!

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.
  • From: Hilton, New York
  • Registered: Fri, 15 Jan 2010
  • Posts: 674

Re: Lauren's Theraspheres

So glad things went well with a much better experience than last time for sure!  Sending positive thoughts your way...
-Randi-

Survivor of breast cancer (1994), thyroid cancer (1999), cholangiocarcinoma (2009).

My comments, suggestions, and opinions are based only on my personal experience as a cancer survivor. Please consult a physician for professional guidance.