Liver Resection! (Brought to you by Dr. K/MSK)

[FightMode]

Hi All,
I just wanted to share with you yet another good news story made possible by Dr. Kemeny as well as the wonderful surgery team at MSKCC. My Dad who was diagnosed with multiple scattered inoperable liver mets in Dec. (following a misdiagnosis of "only" stage II CRC several months prior) had ALL visible tumors resected from his liver yesterday. It was an 8 hour surgery in which they also removed his primary. His surgeons were Drs. DeMatteo and Garcia-Aguilar. He had the HAI pump installed in April after a few rounds of FOLFOX did nothing to get him resectable. For 4 months he had systemic infusions of FOLFIRI every couple of weeks with just a few infusions of FUDR in his HAI pump (due the the jump in liver enzymes from the FUDR he didn't get full doses each month). But in just 4 months Dr. K got the the team together to review his case again after seeing wonderful results on the scans and they deemed him operable! That was less than a month ago, and now he's recovering on the 15th floor.

I thought it was important to post this note for everybody because without the Colon Club and a lot of research and persistence by our family, we simply wouldn't be here (and by here I mean physically here in NYC or here in the greater sense of his much improved prognosis). I am certainly frustrated that other major cancer centers seem resistant to implementing protocols similar to Dr. K's; not only are the data quite strong, but we witnessed first hand what this pump did and will continue to do for my Dad. We feel lucky that we got here early in the course of his treatment, but a bit shocked that had we not pushed for this early it probably never would have happened. As I understand it, the HAI pump works best when used before other cocktails have failed. The people on this board have been an invaluable resource for me in understanding all of this, and I'm still a newbie but certainly happy to answer any questions I can for others.
-E

[so-scared]

I can not begin to express how happy I am to read this!!! Your dad's story is amazing! He got to resection so fast!! I am so happy for you guys! Give your mom a hug from me! I hope that your dad has a quick and uneventful recovery so he can go enjoy his new lease on life!!

[juliej]

Fantastic news! Tell your dad he has people rooting for him here on the Colon Club!

I remember the 15th floor well. I hope his nurses are as nice as mine were. Tell him to walk, walk, and walk some more. About half way around the floor, there's a little kitchen that has orange juice, etc. At the beginning I'd stop there for a breather and drink a glass of oj to keep my energy up. Then my laps got faster and faster and the nurses teased me that I was in a race! There are movies on the patient rec floor if he gets tired of watching tv. Hopefully, he'll be walking out of there in just a few days -- cancer free!

[O Stoma Mia]

... I just wanted to share with you yet another good news story made possible by Dr. Kemeny as well as the wonderful surgery team at MSKCC...
I thought it was important to post this note for everybody because without the Colon Club and a lot of research and persistence by our family, we simply wouldn't be here.

Hi FightMode - Emily, thanks very much for posting this very encouraging report. I hope I never get to the point where I have to deal with liver mets, but if I do, I know who I should try to contact: Dr. Nancy Kemeny and her team
Nancy E. Kemeny, MD
Ronald DeMatteo, MD, FACS
Julio Garcia-Aguilar, MD, PhD.
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[Cb75]

Great news.

[Badass]

In jfk now, flying home from my appointment with Dr. K. two weeks post-resection. Great news about your Dad!

This

[FightMode]

Thank you all for your very encouraging words. DeAnn you and Scott have been so inspiring and helpful ! And Julie you've been such a wonderful cheerleader and advisor as well. My Dad isn't so into the idea of the Internet forum thing, but I literally just read him your words of support and he really liked that -- he said "while some of them may be strangers they're certainly not strange bedfellows." I found that to be a little to articulate for 24 hours post up so told him to hit the pain pump again. The nurses are just wonderful. He is pretty sore though with a long road ahead and we'll certainly take all the good energy/thoughts/healing vibes/dizzy chickens/prayers you'll throw at us.
-Emily

[Kathryn in MN]

Great news!

[O Stoma Mia]

... we'll certainly take all the good energy/thoughts/healing vibes/dizzy chickens/prayers you'll throw at us.
-Emily

Hi Emily - We'll be praying for you all --- and here are a couple of chickens, if that's what you prefer...



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[SeansWifeDenise]

So great, hope your Dad is feeling better and stronger every day!

[ptfly]

I could not be happier for you!

[very worried husband]

Fantastic news. Thanks for sharing.

[vickitwo]

Great to hear your good news!

[pfCml73183]

Hooray for your Dad. Glad to hear this very good news and it appears he is in good hands.
God bless you all.

[marilyn]

That is wonderful news! I am very happy to hear this. I have researched Dr. Kemeny and her treatment methods. My next step is to get a copy of all my records and contact her for an appointment.