Sort of diagnosed?!? (Page 1 of 2)

Randyswife....welcome to our site.  I agree with the later.  Until all information has been compiled and evaluated, I would think that you may be jumping ahead of yourself.  Our Peter once said:  "don't put the horse before the barn."
You would not want to worry yourself over something that may or may not be the case. 
Therefore, please keep us posted. I am thrilled to hear that you husband is feeling much better and my fingers are crossed and crossed for the best possible news heading your way.
Hugs,
Marion

Dear Randyswife, welcome to our remarkable family. I so agree to take each step  at a time until all tests have been had and doctors seen. I am so glad your husband is feeling better and will keep everything crossed for the news that you want to hear. Please keep us posted as we truly care. Safe travel and tons of good luck on the Cleveland trip.

We are being set up to see Dr Christopher Siegel at Cleveland University Hospital.  I have read and heard nothing but good things about him.   I'm doing my best to put on a happy face until we can see him and find out what exactly is wrong.  The doctor that showed me his file and procedure reports was confident of the diagnosis he gave me.  I wish I knew I was doing the right thing in not telling anyone but I honestly haven't been given any conclusive formal  information yet and I think the question of when to tell anyone should be my husbands call.... My husbands parents are in their 80's and live close by, we have 3 children, Bryan - 29 years old married and lives close by, Amanda - 25 who just moved to Columbus about 3 1/2 hours away, and Mark - 24 who lives in New York City.  Thank you for listening, I feel so alone in all of this right now.  But even writing this information down makes it too real.

Randy's wife, we learn very quickly here that there is no right or wrong, and that we learn to listen to our gut. I always say I feel like I graduated from GUT 101. With that said, I swear to you, that once you see Dr. Siegel, and a game plan is in place your fright will turn to fight. Believe it or not,  one of the hardest parts is what you are going through now. The waiting is the worst.
From the onset, for my husband, we told everyone everything as we found that talking about it let it all out and we talked and talked. It was cathartic for us as is writing on this Board. There were no surprises for anyone. But, that is what worked for us. We were out of town visiting family in Milwaukee, and that is when the CC hit the fan. Our 2 week trip turned into almost 3 months!  You are NOT alone in this as we are all right here with you and please feel free to vent whenever you feel the need.  You never know how strong you are until "strong" is the only choice you have!

Hi Randyswife,

Welcome to the site. Sorry that you had to find us all here and I am sorry to hear what Randy is going through as well. But I'm glad that you have joined us all as I know that you will get tons of support and help here from everyone. There is not much that I can add to what the others have said to you already, but I wanted to welcome you here too.

Yes the waiting game, grrrr... That is something that we all hate but have all gone through in one way or another. Whether it is waiting for scan results, waiting for treatment, waiting to see an Onc or specialist. It is a pain but know that we all know what you are feeling and going through right now. And like Lainy says, you will feel better once a game plan is sorted and then the fight back will commence.

From what you say, it sounds like your husbands stent is starting to work if the jaundice is clearing up and I am very glad to hear you say that he is feeling better as well. We are all here for you so please let us know how everything goes, you are not alone.

Best wishes to you and your husband,

Gavin

It has now been 5 days since Randy's scope.  When we went into the hospital my husband walked in with no pain and some sign of jaundice.  On Monday they did the brushing and endiscope, after which he started vomiting profusely.  They kept him on antinausea medicine every two hours which kept him pretty much out of it until Wednesday.  He was given an IV saline solution on Wednesday (the first and only) and sent home Wednesday evening.  Since then he has been on no medication except for his usual insulin and high cholesterol medicine.  I can't get him to eat anything.  He is drinking alot of water and I've managed to get two ensure in him yesterday which caused him alot of chest pain.  Hot liquids also do the same.  He hasn't been throwing up at all but he hic ups alot and has alot of gas pain.  He has been sleeping most of the time.  The doctor said that the vomiting was a rare side effect of the procedure and he would be back to "normal" in a few days.  I don't know what to do for him now.  I tried smoothies, ensure, applesauce, rice, broth, toast, cereal.  He ate about 1 cup of cheerios yesterday.  I'm going to get him soy milk, since I've heard that dairy products aren't good.  I can only get him to drink small amounts and I'm looking for any ideas.  What is causing all the nausea and is this to be expected?  He has to have the ERCP in Cleveland and I was wondering if this will start it all over again?  This man has never been sick a day in his life.  I don't know what to do for him now.

Dear Randyswife, I will take a stab at this. Teddy never had the nausea from the ERCP. After his Whipple he had hiccups for 4 months constantly and noone could figure out what to do. We finally met a Pharmacist who recommended Brioske (sp) which you can get at CVS or Walgreens and comes in a blue bottle. It looks like ground up alka seltzer. He took 2 doses in an hour and never had hiccups again! We also have people on here who have had great success swallowing a spoonful of sugar. Diabetes I know but its a one time deal. The hiccups are bad becasue they drain your energy as well as being frustrating!
There are some people on here who have said they cannot do Ensure. We used Carnation Instant Breakfast and he loved the Vanilla and I would blend in a banana. This can take the place of a full meal and 3 X a day if necessary. Has all the needed nutrients. Instead of full meals let him graze all day long. I made comforts foods like home made chicken soup, lightly oiled pasta, scrambled eggs, jello etc. NO dairy at all. Soy milk made him sick. I actually used skim milk and it seemed to work. 
Sounds like he might need something like Prilosec to help settle the stomach and chest pain down.
Most important if it continues call the Doctor. I totally understand how you feel, Teddy never had a sick day in his life.

Randyswife, I knew I forgot something! Teddy had Jaundiced, I used to tell him I didn't like him in yellow! The itching stopped days after the stents but the yellow, it's like a dye, takes a little longer to wear out.

Randyswife....I would call the doctor's office before the end of day (if you have not seen an improvement in your husbands condition.)
Please keep us posted.
Hugs,
Marion

Sandy....great news.  Things are moving in the right direction. 
Hugs,
Marion

Hello everyone.... we are still awaiting an appointment with the Dr in Cleveland.  We went today and got the xrays and reports from the hospital Randy was in last week.  The report notes:
The gallbladder is contracted and filled with sludge and contrast. 
Pancreas:  There is a regular mass seen in the body and tail of the pancreas.  The mass causing occlusion of the splenic vein and encasement of the splenic artery.  Significant splenorenal collaterals is noted. Mass in the tail of the pancreas measures 6 x 3 cm in diameter.
The term Klatskin Tumor of the hepatic duct was used.  There was also a cyst noted on his kidney.
Anyone want to give me an idea of what this all means?

Vicky, I can't help on the above but I know someone can tell you something but it's late for many so hang on hang in we are here with you. When I was starting this journey with Teddy 6 years ago this Board was just starting and I didn't want to wait either so I cheated! I Googled each phrase until I put it all together. sure wish these reports came with English translation!