liver resection

sheila · Experienced user Joined: 24 Jul 2008 Posts: 73

mom s operation for a liver resection is comming this sept. he said about 40% 1 cancerous 1 cm tumor and 2 nodules hes removing so they dont have a chance to start, My question I guess would be - How long does an operation like this (if all goes as expected) take? would it be wise for any of us to find out if we are a blood match and pre-donate? is this allowed? How risky is this surgery (besides the average risk of any surgery? has anyone been through this scenario with the 40 percent removal? and what did you experience in your recovery? what can I expect her to have to go through? shes 73 years old and before the cancer situations was tottally healthy never had a problem-my knees are even stiffer than hers when I get up-evenn now with all shes been through the last 2 years.
any info would be appreciated..Im really nervous about what she will be going through -I feel so helpless.

vazquez · New User Joined: 12 Aug 2008 Posts: 3

Hello,

I had a liver resection going on 2 years in Jan for HCC. A team of liver transplant specialist did the surgery. I had most of the left lobe removed. I was in the hospital approx 3-4 days and recovered relatively fast. I am 50 years of age and was in pretty good shape when I went in. Resection is big surgery and you are very sore and tired when it is done. Your mom will need her pain medication. she will probably not want to eat much the firt few weeks because it feels as if you are full. A year later I still had issues with scar tissue and that full feeling but now it is less. I was blessed in that my tumor was a stage 1 and encapsulated. I go back for a scan every 6 mos and my afp is now 2.9 from 350. The risk now is much lower than it used to be. As you probably know, bleeding is a major risk because the liver is so vascular. Expert surgeons make all the difference in the world. Your mom will be hooked up to a lot of tubes when she comes out and will have a drain. Word of warning, that drain hurts like a mother when they pull it out. My scar is beginning to fade but is a constant reminder of that surgery saving my life. My prayers are with you and your mother and I wish her a speedy recovery. iris
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iris

vazquez · New User Joined: 12 Aug 2008 Posts: 3

Oh I forgot to tell you blood donating if you are a match would be a good thing. The length of time varies. My family said I was in there 4 hours. I have heard of much longer as well. Take care iris
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iris

sheila · Experienced user Joined: 24 Jul 2008 Posts: 73

vazques,..... thank you for the heads up -they did tell her about a 5 day hospital stay and about two weeks before she will feel good enough to get around.the way she would like. SHe has been through alot and at first we thought it was her colon cancer that metastisized-but the doctor said no it is a seperate liver cancer. soooooo now Im on this section of the forum. She has enough family to help her recovery Im the only daughter and the eldest-I have two younger brothers and one is in his late 30S who moved back in recently with her the other 4 years younger than me (ah Im 50) . I have been cooking for her for the last two years for the weeks supply of food and she still has us over every sun and she cooks. My brothers and husband is really good about rides and so is my sister in law. Im the only one who is a full time homemaker. I worry about the blood issue because the first surgery we almost lost her through a blood loss and she had a clotting problem the second huge surgery they were more prepared for what her body tends to do. This one scares me altho came along way -lots of prayers faith and patience are needed on our part Im certain our srtong family bond and our love for her will surely play a huge part in her recovery. I appreciate tremendously any heads up on this topic-I would like to be as prepared as possible so I can be strong for her. thanx again for caring. Smile

brainman · Posted: Wed Aug 13, 2008 6:34 pm Post subject: Re: liver resection

sheila, I read your message when you first posted it but, since I know so little about liver cancers, I was hoping someone else who knew more would reply. Fortunately, Vasquez was around.

I am very sorry about your mother's cancer and hope the surgery goes well. You and your mother are in my thoughts and prayers.
_________________
Jim
Site Administrator and long-term cancer survivor
1992 Astrocytoma grade 2, left motor strip
2005 Recurrence this time said to be an Oligodendoglioma grade 3, same location.
My Story Part 1: http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?p=7350
My Story Part 2: http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?t=8029
Blog http://jimhawkinsport.blogspot.com/

sheila · Experienced user Joined: 24 Jul 2008 Posts: 73

Thanks brainman-I understand, I also understand that most of the people here that post are really going through alot of stress fear pain and worry-I think its great that you all are trying to support each other-I feel a little the outsider because I am speaking on behalf of my mom -it effects the family too but Im sure we will never fully understand what each of you are experiencing . and as I noticed there is alot of time between replies etc and I realize you people have to get a buildup of strength and or feel like responding mode. Im amazed at how much everyone trys to keep up-very uplifting to see all the positive attitudes that can pick up the ones that are down at the time. thanks for being there as a team- my prayers are with this forum and all who belong.

karolynca · Experienced user Joined: 13 May 2008 Posts: 51

Hoping that everything goes well during surgery and keeping you and your mom in my thoughts and prayers.
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Dad ~ Passed away from Multiorgan failure due to secondary liver cancer on July 2008

http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?p=34365

sheila · Experienced user Joined: 24 Jul 2008 Posts: 73

Thank you Karolynca-so sorry for your loss-I read your story....Im Crying or Very sad

sorry, Im so sad, Im at a loss for words my emotions are sucking the energy out of my body-feeling that what I just read may sooner than I realize it become my reality. Oh but I need to hear it and not be in denial. so to distract us from all this sadness -on the lighter side we are adopting a new furkud. before moms operation-I have a 2 year old female cairn terrier and she will soon have a brother.--My husband and I need this diversion so we can be stronger for mom. There is a reason for everything and Im going to do my best to accept that and live with mom one day at a time. we were already blessed to have these last two years together . we truly had two miracles already.Is it selfish to ask for one more?prayer, family love hope and faith are a huge motivational powerfull source and I can thank you guys on this forum for the extra charge of support too. every little bit helps-thanks again for caring.

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