LaVonne McCumber

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Cholangiocarcinoma - How it all started.


Sunday , June 12th LaVonne woke up with severe pain in her right side.  You  know it was bad - she skipped Mass AND told Ed to bring her to the Urgency Room.  Long story short - she was diagnosed with liver cancer and sent on to United Hospital the same day.  Wonderful doctors, nurses and staff took care of her and her pain.  She had scans, blood work and a really FAST biopsy.

We came home with a diagnosis of Cholangiocarcinoma - otherwise know as Bile Duct Cancer and it was also in her liver.

She was released on Wednesday after being referred to her own doctor.  We met with him on Friday and he referred her to Dr. H at the Virginia Piper Cancer Institute. Dr. H's nurses set her up with Dr. W at Minnesota Oncology.

Fast forward to today.  We met with her oncologist.  He is at Minnesota Oncology and is great.  He has lots of confidence in Dr. at the Virginia Piper Institute.  

The plan is to have a PET scan tomorrow and meet with him again on Tuesday, July 5th.  


A few more basics.  There is a "large" mass on the right lobe of the liver and a little  one on the left.  There is one "node" they are checking out on the PET scan.  Dr. W (the oncologist) wants to see exactly what it is before deciding on a treatment.  We WILL have a plan on Tuesday.  He also has no problem sending her off to Mayo if he thinks that is the best treatment for her (many have asked if she should go to Mayo).
We don't have a ton of information at this time or a plan, but prayers & cards are always welcome and really lift her spirits.
Please contact Roxane if you have any questions.