Life Unafraid - Metastatic Cholangiocarcinoma

Update - July 29th 2012

Spent the afternoon with mom yesterday. She had a good couple days of prayers being answered with strength for the days. She appreciates the love that we all give her. The goal hasn't changed; to get the kidney and strength back up to par to do chemo again. But right now chemo is on hold.

The cancer is metastasizing - this is nothing new, we already know this. We recently found out that is spread to the lung area. No specifics on that right now. But the plan is still the same, to get chemo rolling again to put an end to this cancer.

She's still at UCLA Santa Monica. If there is anything you could do for her it would be to keep her company and pray boldly with her.

-Mike

Santa Monica - July 27th 2012

My moms at Santa Monica hospital for the next few days at least. She will be there until her numbers, especially kidney function returns to normal. Until then the chemo treatment is on hold.

Visitors are welcomed. I'll be sure to visit her this weekend.

With love, Mike

Status - July 26th 2012

Okay so we have a better understanding of recent events now. The fluid build up is due to some sort of fluid leak, I forgot how my mom described it. But it affects the kidney function because of hydration. She will be getting some medication to help with hydration. Jaundice is still an issue due to bilirubin levels. This is caused by the bile duct stint and may require some adjustments.

My mom was sent home last night because her white blood cell count was very low and it was too risky to catch any infections at the hospital. This is low because of the chemo - which attacks good cells as well as bad. She is on her way now with my brother to UCLA to talk with the cancer doctor to find out the short term plan for her. We will update more as we find out.

With love, Mike.

ER visit - July 25th 2012

Moms back in the ER today. Labs called her doctor and said her white blood cell count is dangerously low so she went to ER. Kidney function jumped to 3 and she's retaining a lot of water. Bilirubin at 15. Right now she's getting IV fluids, antibiotics and getting drained. She should be home tonight I hope.

-Mike

Jul 24, 2012

I just realized the blog most likely had not been updated as I am receiving emails and calls asking if I am home yet. I was released on Sunday and wanted to let you all know. I went to ER to get tapped (drained) again and ended up staying to get hydrated and a protein called albumin back into my system via IV. This ascites build up is another minor hurdle to manage. Apparently when the fluid gets tapped a lot of misplaced protein is removed and once that happens the cancer causes the liver to start spilling/leaking again. I don't have this information quite right but as i learn more will share here or at least a reference you can go to if you desire. My bilirubin keeps climbing. The good news is I saw the doctor today who placed the stents. He is trying to get me on the schedule For another ERCP Friday. It's outpatient and he will check stent placement, look for blockages and make adjustments. Tomorrow I am scheduled to get drained again and Monday is chemo. That's the update for now :-) thanks again for all your support, friendship and prayers. I am very fortunate.

Back in the hospital - July 21st 2012

Moms back in the hospital. Mainly because her creatinine and bilirubin jumped a bit. Creatinine was at 2.5. They are keeping her overnight to provide hydration and continuously monitor.

Please keep her in your prayers and thank you.

With love, Mike

Still Fighting - July 18th 2012

Hi all.  So here is the latest with my mom.  As of today, her kidney is doing well - still in the process of testing/transitioning to the new kidney medication.  She has been really tired and feeling fatigued – mostly due to the latest chemo treatment, which went well.  There has been a lot of fluid build-up in the abdomen; she had 5+ liters drained earlier this week which really gave her body some relief.  The challenging part has been eating as chemo removes her appetite.  She’s working on eating little bits at a time to regain strength and lost muscle. Bilirubin is still really high.  Pretty soon she will be getting the stint checked out as well as talking with a liver doctor.  Lastly, she is off the home antibiotics.

She is thankful to be home.  She’s relying on God for her continued strength.  We haven’t been updating as frequent, but I know my mom would love to hear from you all.  Please call and visit.  Let her know she is loved and not on this journey alone.  If you don’t hear back from her, just try again and she will take calls when she can.

With love, Mike.

Short update - July 10th 2012

Moms back on chemo. Billieubin still high but not enough to delay chemo. White blood cell still high so she's on IV antibiotics. Kidney creatinine down a bit to 1 .8. Getting the billieubin down and a liver slc engaged is higher priority right now.

Happy 4th - July 4th 2012

Good morning family and friends. My mom went home yesterday. She is sounding great and positive - its wonderful.

A home health coming to teach her to do IV antibiotics for 10 days. Monday she gets a chemo treatment of one of the chemo drugs. Renal team is changing the anti rejection drug to one that kills some forms of cancer cells in mice. Her bilirubin went up a little yesterday but she feel better already.

With love,

-Mike

Mom is great - July 1st 2012

Talked with my mom last night. She sounds like she is doing great. The stint was put in without any complications. She may be going home in the next couple days. -Mike