Wetterhorn

Thanks for the advice everyone – I did in fact have a Brain MRI this morning, probably won't have the results until Tuesday. I was aware of the pituatary issue with Ipi, but the nurse sort of downplayed this when I asked her if my headaches could be caused by the Ipi – sounds like she is more concerned about a tumor being there. Now, the long wait begins. One of the worst parts of this f'ing disease. 

Wetterhorn

Thanks for the advice everyone – I did in fact have a Brain MRI this morning, probably won't have the results until Tuesday. I was aware of the pituatary issue with Ipi, but the nurse sort of downplayed this when I asked her if my headaches could be caused by the Ipi – sounds like she is more concerned about a tumor being there. Now, the long wait begins. One of the worst parts of this f'ing disease. 

Wetterhorn

Thanks for the encouragement and agreed, Nausea sucks.

I'm going in on Monday for some blood work; and keeping fingers crossed, off to Costa Rica on Friday.

Wetterhorn

Thanks for the encouragement and agreed, Nausea sucks.

I'm going in on Monday for some blood work; and keeping fingers crossed, off to Costa Rica on Friday.

Wetterhorn

Thanks for the encouragement and agreed, Nausea sucks.

I'm going in on Monday for some blood work; and keeping fingers crossed, off to Costa Rica on Friday.

Wetterhorn

Sure, I suppose it couldn't hurt to touch base with someone who has had this procedure done. Its still a bit premature, but probably wise to gather as much info as possible.

thanks

Sure, I suppose it couldn't hurt to touch base with someone who has had this procedure done. Its still a bit premature, but probably wise to gather as much info as possible.

thanks

Hi King

Thanks for the follow -up. I'm feeling a lot better today after not eating anything last night and have not yet gone back to the hospital. Cramps/nausea are gone, had a bowel movement, and things appear to be moving again, so I'm a bit more optimistic right now. 

As for the surgery, I think my docs were just trying to be reassuring. The lesion is nearly at the base of the liver and doesn't appear deep inside it, but I will request to meet with a liver surgeon when I go in next week to discuss my options as I think you bring up some good points. Since this journey began, I have used the strategy that surgery is always the best option if it's available. I think since I have recurred 2 times in the last 3 months, they want to get systemic treatment going as soon as possible rather than risk yet another recurrence in 2 months from now. Its time to treat the entire system, I suppose.

Anyway, I will be sure to keep the board posted on my progress. Thanks again for your responses.

Wetterhorn

Hi King

Thanks for the follow -up. I'm feeling a lot better today after not eating anything last night and have not yet gone back to the hospital. Cramps/nausea are gone, had a bowel movement, and things appear to be moving again, so I'm a bit more optimistic right now. 

As for the surgery, I think my docs were just trying to be reassuring. The lesion is nearly at the base of the liver and doesn't appear deep inside it, but I will request to meet with a liver surgeon when I go in next week to discuss my options as I think you bring up some good points. Since this journey began, I have used the strategy that surgery is always the best option if it's available. I think since I have recurred 2 times in the last 3 months, they want to get systemic treatment going as soon as possible rather than risk yet another recurrence in 2 months from now. Its time to treat the entire system, I suppose.

Anyway, I will be sure to keep the board posted on my progress. Thanks again for your responses.

Wetterhorn

Thanks Sherron, and no worries. I'm a 10 minute cab ride to the hospital in NYC, no my symptoms and what they mean, and also have the added reassurance of having a clean CT scan from 4 days ago (minus a small liver MET). I will not hesitate to go to surgery if it gets worse.

Thanks Sherron, and no worries. I'm a 10 minute cab ride to the hospital in NYC, no my symptoms and what they mean, and also have the added reassurance of having a clean CT scan from 4 days ago (minus a small liver MET). I will not hesitate to go to surgery if it gets worse.

King

Thanks so much for your reply. The docs believe it is scar tissue or adhesion as you mentioned. They have looked on 2 different CT's for tumors on the intestine and nothing looks suspicious. The problem is that they can't see the scar tissue, but that is exactly what they believe it is. Dr. Ariyan at MSKCC today said I was on a short leash as far as her tolerance was concerned to avoid surgery, however my reluctance to go in is I suppose merely hope that it can correct on its own, as it did 4 weeks ago (minus the IV fluid). Obviously, having this recur so soon after it happened the first time is discouraging, and if surgery is required, then so be it. But as u mentioned, this is happening because of my surgery, hence my reluctance to go in again.

As for the liver met, I don't yet have all the information I need. I found out on Thursday of last week while recovering, and haven't had all the time to process it. I believe that the docs aren't necessarily against surgery, but definitely want me on systemic treatment first to gauge response as I have not done anything since interferon 3 years ago. Its less than 1cm now, so there isn't much urgency to remove it (at least on their end, i'm concerned it will spread obviously).  Plus, not sure about labeling indications for Yervoy yet, but think it may require confirmed disease rather than a stage IV patient being NED (feel free to correct if I'm wrong).

I would be inclined to get the ressection, especially since both my surgeon and oncologist said it would be about as easy of a surgery as they can imagine. They also mentioned ablation. Do you know anything about this? It sounded as if they basically would burn/freeze the tumor and surrounding tissue, rather than resect. I'd never heard of this before, but said its a possibility for such a small lesion.

Thanks again for your help, I have seen  your posts in the past and am very appreciative.

Regards

Wetterhorn

King

Thanks so much for your reply. The docs believe it is scar tissue or adhesion as you mentioned. They have looked on 2 different CT's for tumors on the intestine and nothing looks suspicious. The problem is that they can't see the scar tissue, but that is exactly what they believe it is. Dr. Ariyan at MSKCC today said I was on a short leash as far as her tolerance was concerned to avoid surgery, however my reluctance to go in is I suppose merely hope that it can correct on its own, as it did 4 weeks ago (minus the IV fluid). Obviously, having this recur so soon after it happened the first time is discouraging, and if surgery is required, then so be it. But as u mentioned, this is happening because of my surgery, hence my reluctance to go in again.

As for the liver met, I don't yet have all the information I need. I found out on Thursday of last week while recovering, and haven't had all the time to process it. I believe that the docs aren't necessarily against surgery, but definitely want me on systemic treatment first to gauge response as I have not done anything since interferon 3 years ago. Its less than 1cm now, so there isn't much urgency to remove it (at least on their end, i'm concerned it will spread obviously).  Plus, not sure about labeling indications for Yervoy yet, but think it may require confirmed disease rather than a stage IV patient being NED (feel free to correct if I'm wrong).

I would be inclined to get the ressection, especially since both my surgeon and oncologist said it would be about as easy of a surgery as they can imagine. They also mentioned ablation. Do you know anything about this? It sounded as if they basically would burn/freeze the tumor and surrounding tissue, rather than resect. I'd never heard of this before, but said its a possibility for such a small lesion.

Thanks again for your help, I have seen  your posts in the past and am very appreciative.

Regards

Wetterhorn