Hello my friends;
Well, today we met with the surgical oncologist. He told us that Bob could not have a liver resection. There are 3 "spots" on the liver, each one in a different area, so getting a liver resection is not possible. They would just be cutting the liver in thirds and there would be nothing left.
He did say that he would do a RFA, radio frequency abalation. As it was explained to us they would do surgery just as if they would be doing a liver resection but instead they would use an instrument that would perform the RFA. High radio frequency waves are used to produce heat and ablate, or slowly burn away at the cancer tissue. They would also do a ultrasound directly on the liver during surgery. Said this was more accurate that the CT scan.
Anyway, he explained that the "statistics" say it is only half as effective as a liver resection. More than likely there will be more chemo after surgery.
Also, he said that since there originally was a "nodule" on top of the small intestine (duodenum) that was removed during the initial surgery this has cut Bob's chances by another 10 - 20%. Basically, he said Bob has a 20% chance of survival. But he said that 20% is better than 0%.
He said that this was because the disease was very advanced. Damm It!
I am so angry that they did not do the colonoscopy when he first had symptoms in March. Not wait until Oct when there was a blockage. Even after they found out he had cancer, his primary doctor just said, "Wow, I never would think someone under age 50 would be in stage IV .
I really want to just hit something or want to scream "Now what do you think!"
They are scheduling surgery for July 7th or so. Need to wait until the Avastin is out of his system.
Also, we were told that if when the surgery starts the surgeon will look around and if he finds anything, then they will just close him up.
Bob is having a tough time today with all of this. He said that the way he deals with it between chemo treatments is to just "ignore" it. But he admitted that he is an emotional wreck.
By job today, it to be the strong one, to keep him pumped up that this can be beat.
I too have read that radio frequency abalations are not as successful as a resection. What experiences has anyone had with this?
I am trying to stay hopeful. Please keep us in your prayers.
Dot