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Hubby had liver resection for liver mets

Posted: Tue Aug 09, 2016 4:52 am
by angielada
Hi all,
So, the hubby finally got his liver mets small enough to be eligible for resection!
We were so excited about the news, we almost instantly took off for vacation (after a good long cry of course.)

He had the surgery a week and half ago and he is home recovering. So far, a slow recovery - but he is getting better each day.

We have post-op tomorrow and I'm a little afraid to hear any news.

There were 3-4 small spots in the lower right corner that the surgeon was able to get... but after surgery she mentioned there was an area in the back that would need radioembolization.

Does anyone know about this?
Does that mean the surgery wasn't successful?

I've read a little about RE to liver mets - but it seems it's more for palliative than curative treatment.
The original plan was to get all remaining mets out, so this has me worried that they couldn't do it. :-(

Thoughts? Similar stories/experiences?

Thank you everyone!

Re: Hubby had liver resection for liver mets

Posted: Tue Aug 09, 2016 9:05 pm
by Lee
angielada wrote:There were 3-4 small spots in the lower right corner that the surgeon was able to get... but after surgery she mentioned there was an area in the back that would need radioembolization.

Does anyone know about this?
Does that mean the surgery wasn't successful?

I


I don't have answers to your questions. Hope by bumping this to the top, others will see it and hopefully someone with knowledge will respond. Congratulations to your DH on making it through surgery and making it HOME. Always the best.

Lee

Re: Hubby had liver resection for liver mets

Posted: Tue Aug 09, 2016 9:33 pm
by mariane
Fantastic blog and positive story about RE;

http://karenscancer.blogspot.com/

Re: Hubby had liver resection for liver mets

Posted: Sat Aug 27, 2016 1:05 pm
by LPL
Hi angielada,

I hope your post-op appointment went well !!

My hubby is having a liver resection Sept 1st and I was looking for threads talking about this, and found yours.

You wrote:
"He had the surgery a week and half ago and he is home recovering. So far, a slow recovery - but he is getting better each day. "

Can I ask how your husband is feeling now?
How has he recovered in strength etc?
It has been around a month recovery so far for him I presume.

The reason I ask is that a long time ago... in the Life 'before diagnose', we booked a trip with 2 friends to go to an event in Canada, via Californien (train+bus up along the cost to Canada). This trip is scheduled for Oct 9-23. We live in France.

In the beginning of this 'new life' that has included multiple surgeries and 4 chemo so far, I was sure(!) we had to cancel this trip. Hubby has not wanted to 'talk about it'.. but recently he has said he want to go!! if he will feel OK and not be a 'burden' to us who travel with him. I asked the surgeon if it was possible, he said yes. Listening to the surgeon it sounds as, recovery-vice (is that a word?) it will be like a gall bladder surgery.. I have never had that so can't compare and hubby had the gall bladder removed 'as an extra' at his primary colon resection so that doesn't help us/me understand either.

Sorry for many words.
Just wanted to hear how your husband has experienced the recovery from his liver surgery?

All the best to You. Kind Regards /LPL

Re: Hubby had liver resection for liver mets

Posted: Sat Aug 27, 2016 2:19 pm
by LPL
P.S. If anyone else can share their experience - Thank you in advance.

Re: Hubby had liver resection for liver mets

Posted: Sun Aug 28, 2016 1:39 am
by Pyro
I have had 2 liver surgeries, I was tired, lethargic and somewhat bedridden for about 2 weeks following my surgery. I felt much better after that time, I could have traveled and enjoyed a vacation. I could have not lifted anything more than about 5 pounds without seriously injuring myself, I think that is your major issue with travel. I am quite a bit younger though.

Re: Hubby had liver resection for liver mets

Posted: Sun Aug 28, 2016 2:36 am
by LPL
Pyro,

Thank you for your reply regarding how you felt after the surgery, the 'not lifting' - yes I am aware of that since hubby has had 2 previous stomach surgeries.

Your first words:
" You're worried about your vacation after liver surgery? That's where I will stop on that and get more real."

Those words made me very sad :(

Please forgive me if you wrote that because I used wrong words (English is not my 1st language) and my writing made it sound as I (!) cared about a vacation.
That is so Not true!!! You don't know me but If you did you would know where my priorities are.. it is NOT thinking about ME.
To me it is Not easy to be the wife (maybe other caregivers understand?) and know what is best for hubby. Will going on this vacation be good for HIM?? (As we understand it he will start chemo again after that 'resting' period).
Personally I would rather just stay at home,
BUT this is Not about me!

I wish all the best for you going forward /LPL

Re: Hubby had liver resection for liver mets

Posted: Sun Aug 28, 2016 7:13 am
by DarknessEmbraced
I hope that your husband's recovery and post op appointment go well.*hugs* I know others who have had liver mets will be able to answer your questions. I wish you and your husband all the best!*hugs*

Re: Hubby had liver resection for liver mets

Posted: Sun Aug 28, 2016 10:31 am
by kandj
*sorry for any typos, writing with a broken wrist*

DH had his liver resection and radiofrequency ablation done in May. His surgeon was very optimistic about the treatment and it was never mentioned as only pallative. His team was definitely going for curative intent. The liver surgeon said size was a very important indicator when it came to the chances of them coming back. There is no way they could have cut all the tumors out of DH, even after 70% shrinkage. DH's recovery had some bumps, but he is back on chemo and FUDR (has the HAI pump) and we are very hopeful.

Re: Hubby had liver resection for liver mets

Posted: Tue Apr 18, 2017 3:52 am
by angielada
So sorry for the months later reply!
Hopefully this can help someone down the road.

His recovery after the resection seemed to be worse than all the treatments. It really knocked him down!
Mostly, I think it was the extra large cut and location. Moving was very difficult and it was more depressing for him than I thought it would be.
Also his incision did not heal properly and there was practically a hole you could see through, which really made him panick a lot..but I read and we were told that it was not to be worried over and would heal with some extra care, and it did. :)

Unfortunately, the spots that the surgeon couldn't see did pop back up on a recent ct and he will be going in for radioablation in the next week or so. Fingers crossed that'll get the last of them.

The surgery board believes these are in fact the leftover from the surgery, and not new recurrent ones. So, we are trying to be optimistic and praying no more chemo after.