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gpayne68

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      gpayne68
      Participant

        Chris is in good hands at U of M (Dr. Michael Sabel?).  They have a great team and do it every day.  I was diagnosed in January and had two surgeries including the removal of lymph nodes from under my arm.  Don't try to "control" or "fight" any of it at this point and allow the event to bring perspective to everything else in your life.  Simply listen to the doctors and learn.  Chris will be given options including pro's and con's and will participate in the decisions of his care along the way.  Most importantly, take it one day at a time and life will go on.  I cannot tell you how much more valuable every day has become for me since my diagnosis–and that is a blessing.  Stay strong…you guys will make it.

        gpayne68
        Participant

          Chris is in good hands at U of M (Dr. Michael Sabel?).  They have a great team and do it every day.  I was diagnosed in January and had two surgeries including the removal of lymph nodes from under my arm.  Don't try to "control" or "fight" any of it at this point and allow the event to bring perspective to everything else in your life.  Simply listen to the doctors and learn.  Chris will be given options including pro's and con's and will participate in the decisions of his care along the way.  Most importantly, take it one day at a time and life will go on.  I cannot tell you how much more valuable every day has become for me since my diagnosis–and that is a blessing.  Stay strong…you guys will make it.

          gpayne68
          Participant

            Chris is in good hands at U of M (Dr. Michael Sabel?).  They have a great team and do it every day.  I was diagnosed in January and had two surgeries including the removal of lymph nodes from under my arm.  Don't try to "control" or "fight" any of it at this point and allow the event to bring perspective to everything else in your life.  Simply listen to the doctors and learn.  Chris will be given options including pro's and con's and will participate in the decisions of his care along the way.  Most importantly, take it one day at a time and life will go on.  I cannot tell you how much more valuable every day has become for me since my diagnosis–and that is a blessing.  Stay strong…you guys will make it.

            gpayne68
            Participant

              Chris is in good hands at U of M (Dr. Michael Sabel?).  They have a great team and do it every day.  I was diagnosed in January and had two surgeries including the removal of lymph nodes from under my arm.  Don't try to "control" or "fight" any of it at this point and allow the event to bring perspective to everything else in your life.  Simply listen to the doctors and learn.  Chris will be given options including pro's and con's and will participate in the decisions of his care along the way.  Most importantly, take it one day at a time and life will go on.  I cannot tell you how much more valuable every day has become for me since my diagnosis–and that is a blessing.  Stay strong…you guys will make it.

              gpayne68
              Participant

                Sherron,

                What was the outcome of this?  Prior to my Melanoma diagnosis I had pain at the bottom of my right ribcage about two inches from the center of my chest.  I had an ultrasound that came back clean.  Then I had another test that used radioactive die to image the liver and gallbladder.  This too was negative but they noted that I had somewhat of a "fatty liver" that is quite common with the modern diet.

                The pain came and went for about a year (quite painful when it came back) but didn't much think about it until my melanoma diagnosis.  It didn't bother me much but when I went on high-dose Interferon it kicked back up.  By this time I was very concerned about the possibility of cancer in my liver so the doctor ordered an MRI for me.  Once again, the test was negative.

                A few months ago I stopped the Interferon treatments and have not had any pain.  My diet is better (less fatty foods) and my doctors feel that it has been my gallbladder all along.  They offered to remove it but, at this point, my pain is nonexistant so I'm leaving it alone.

                Hope your husband has similar benign problems.  Just wanted you to know that his symptoms may very well be from a rather minor problem.

                gpayne68
                Participant

                  Sherron,

                  What was the outcome of this?  Prior to my Melanoma diagnosis I had pain at the bottom of my right ribcage about two inches from the center of my chest.  I had an ultrasound that came back clean.  Then I had another test that used radioactive die to image the liver and gallbladder.  This too was negative but they noted that I had somewhat of a "fatty liver" that is quite common with the modern diet.

                  The pain came and went for about a year (quite painful when it came back) but didn't much think about it until my melanoma diagnosis.  It didn't bother me much but when I went on high-dose Interferon it kicked back up.  By this time I was very concerned about the possibility of cancer in my liver so the doctor ordered an MRI for me.  Once again, the test was negative.

                  A few months ago I stopped the Interferon treatments and have not had any pain.  My diet is better (less fatty foods) and my doctors feel that it has been my gallbladder all along.  They offered to remove it but, at this point, my pain is nonexistant so I'm leaving it alone.

                  Hope your husband has similar benign problems.  Just wanted you to know that his symptoms may very well be from a rather minor problem.

                  gpayne68
                  Participant

                    Just read your post and it's been a couple of weeks since you posted.  How are you doing?  Have you made it into MD Anderson?  Keep us updated and keep fighting.  Better days are ahead.

                    gpayne68
                    Participant

                      Just read your post and it's been a couple of weeks since you posted.  How are you doing?  Have you made it into MD Anderson?  Keep us updated and keep fighting.  Better days are ahead.

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