Hi! I've been having increasing abdominal and back pain throughout the summer. And gradually adding more and more narcotics, muscle relaxers and tylenol to get through the day. The pain is severe now and there has been no definitive findings on bloodwork or PET/CT. Therefore next Tuesday, October 23rd I will be having exploratory surgery with a surgeon who has worked on me the last 2 years - cholangiocarcinoma tumor removed from body wall (1 cm in size) in 2010, and abdominal hernia repair in 2011.
There are a myriad of possibilities from bile duct cancer, pancreatic cancer, etc to adhesions, bowel obstructions, etc.
I have a history of cholangiocarcinoma (bile duct cancer)- the first time in the left liver lobe so it was resectable and the second as I mentioned above. A different transplant surgeon did the second tumor removal. It was very small and in the same tumor bed as the first so he believes it was a missed cell.
As it stands now I've had the PSC return in my transplant and the transplant team at University of Colorado is considering my case to be transplanted again. They did the first tumor resection. They then did the transplant after I was free of cancer for 15 months.
However, all of this is on hold now because of the pain I'm having in my abdomen. If it turns out to be another episode of cholangio I will definitely not be accepted for another transplant.
Please hold positive thoughts for those caring for me and that the source of pain is discovered. I know that the best is coming to pass and that I am being guided and supported by something greater than me. I am calm and patiently waiting through the days until surgery dealing with the pain as best I can.
I too have, as many others have expressed, my appreciation for all the support and strength that comes from being on this blog. I will update you as the days go by.
Thanks and cheers! Deb
(p.s. my website is down currently because of virus)