Thank you all for all the information and reassurances. This board is amazing!! I'm am so glad to have you all hear to help me.
On Friday night, my GI called to tell me about the ct scan. He said I have 3 spots on my liver and one of them is 6cm. Then he did the math for me and said that's 2in. He used some terms about what they could do about them that I don't know. I didn't think to ask about whether I would qualify for a resection because I had no idea what that meant at that point. (I have learned so much from you guys!!!) He said he was 90% sure they were cancer, but I think that was a total guess based on the fact that it would be the logical conclusion. He said something about getting a Pet scan, i think. I asked him some more questions (I forget what) and he said he was not a cancer doctor, so he didn't know.
I had no idea that liver mets mean my colon surgery will be put off, but I guess it makes a lot of sense.
I feel like I need my possible options available so that I can make the best decision asap.
I guess if the liver mets qualify for resection, that would be my best first step right? Can they do the bowel surgery at the same time? That would be nice! Then 4-6 weeks later, I would start chemo?
If I were at MSK or another HAI place, could they do resection, colon, AND install pump all at the same time? If I had the pump installed, would they start the chemo through the port earlier then 4-6 weeks?
If liver resection is NOT possible, they will likely start chemo right away. Once they start, how long do I have to follow through with that particular treatment? In two weeks can I stop what I'm doing and move to another cancer center, like MSK?
If liver resection is not possible, at MSK, could they do the pump install and the colon surgery and start chemo through the pump right away?
Please forgive me for asking you all all these questions. I know these are questions I should be asking my doctors, but If I'm serious about going somewhere else, I feel like I need a good idea about what the options are before my meetings tomorrow.
I am going to call MSK early in the morning and see what they have to say. Am I likely to be able to talk to someone right away and tell them my situation and have a pretty good idea of whether they will take me under their wing? Will they insist on seeing me in person before a can "sign up."
As crazy as it sounds, a temporary move to the New York area would not be that difficult for us. We have a very portable part time and flexible home business that would allow a very easy transition. We would leave our house and all our stuff in Arizona (we even have a renter for our furnished house already available) Spending 6 months traveling around the east coast would be wonderful, provided the chemo didn't make me too sick to enjoy it. Texas may be closer, but the east coast is a lot more interesting place to hang out.
Thank you so much for your continues support and insight!!!
Lara
47 yrs mom of 4
5-7-14 - dx stage IV-3 liver mets. CEA 76
5-20-14 Folfox w/Avastin
7-24-14 - Colon/liver resection and HAI implant at MSKCC
11-18-2014 - scan- NED!
12-19-14 finished 12 treatments of Folfox (dropped Oxali after 9)
2-19-15, 6-18-15 clean scans - NED
9-11-15 mets in ovaries - hysterectomy - CEA 1.0
Folfiri 10/15 to 3/16
3-24-16 CT scan NED
7-1-16 It's back. 1cm in lung and 3 peri mets.