Topic: Lauren is finally getting what we have hoped and prayed for.
Hi Everyone! I have known about this since last Monday and I am so happy I can finally tell you all. I thought I was going to bust!!!! Lauren is going to get to have a resection!! She was thinking long and hard to make sure this is what she really wanted. She always knew she wanted to have the surgery, but her doctor said he wanted her to think for awhile to make sure she is in this 100% because it will be very tough. Lauren said she was sure she wanted to go ahead with the surgery because the other day she was thinking about it and she was actually happy for the opportunity. When we were first told about it, I think we were in shock because we had always hoped for it, but never really thought it would actually happen. Lauren is very stubborn and headstrong. She hasn't called Dr. Sonnenday yet to tell him she wants to do it because she has said she would call him on Wednesday and that is what she is sticking to. Maybe that tough personality is what has gotten her to where she is. We talked to him last Monday when we were at U of M for over an hour. Lauren had like 4 pages full of questions. He answered every one of them. He actually wants to do 2 separate operations. The first will be laparascopic to make sure there is no disease outside her liver, remove the small tumors in her left side, and remove the healthy blood flow to the right side. The second one would take place about 6 weeks later after scans. That would be the big one where 2/3 of her liver is removed. The large tumor used to be around the portal and hepatic vein and artery. It is now just leaning near it. This is the right time for surgery with everthing he has seen. She has responded well to chemo and bounces back from everything they throw her way. Lauren asked Dr. Sonnenday why he wants to do this surgery and besides the obvious of wanting to help her, he said because he hates this cancer with a passion. We are so happy for such a wonderful surgeon. I will keep you all updated with news as I find more out. God bless you all that are suffering with this disease, caring for someone with disease, or have lost a loved one to this disease. We love you all.
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.
