Welcome to our CaringBridge website. We are using it to keep family and friends updated in one place. We appreciate your support and words of hope and encouragement.
Hello everyone, Morgan here!
My mom was recently diagnosed with advanced gallbladder cancer. I know what you're thinking - "who ever heard of that?!" The next thing people seem to ask is, "why can't they just take the dang thing out?" I'm gonna relay how this has been explained to my family and I. I'll keep you informed on this website because I know there are a lot of people who love her wondering what the heck's happening what they can do to bring her comfort. This is straight from the horse's mouth.
Bad News:(
Gallbladder cancer is extremely rare. Dr. Ellison, her General Practitioner, said he has seen four cases in his entire career. It is almost never caught before it's quite far along and, as in my mom's case, metastasized to the liver. This makes her cancer categorically stage four. It is incurable but treatable.
Good News:)
The gallbladder and liver are, however, still high functioning! The bile ducts are clear from both organs, which is not common in these cases. There are no signs of pseurosis or necrotic areas. The only things causing her pain are the darn tumors in her liver. We don't want to mess with those ducts because they are so healthy. With surgery we risk compromising the integrity of the organs and ducts. I told my mom she has all her ducts in a row.
What We Are Doing :
My mom decided to go for it head on. We started chemotherapy as recommended by her oncologist, Dr. Lewis, on Wednesday October 12th. This round of chemo will last two more weeks. The goal is to slow the growth and possibly shrink the tumors in her liver in order to minimize pain. We will have a CT scan shortly before Thanksgiving and will know the results shortly thereafter, of which I will keep you all informed.
What You Can Do:
Shelley is enjoying the cards you've sent, the food you've brought by, and the well wishes sent through me. We, as a family, are tremendously grateful. Now we have an account set up in her name at The Wellness Kitchen! You can donate to that fund by calling or going to the website. Or just give me some money because this job doesn't pay very well, except emotionally. The Wellness Kitchen is a not for profit center that makes food for people who are sick providing the best possible nourishment and deliciousness.
We are trying to minimize visits so as to protect her immune system and let her rest. Please feel free to reach out to me if you want to schedule time with my mom! She's in a good mood generally and a very good patient, albeit stubborn, which I count as an important quality. We are allergic to negativity. Our family dinners each night are still full of spit and vinegar(not literally). We feel all of your kindness and love every day and thank you for it.
Leave your special messages here! She can read them whenever she checks the website and feel your virtual embrace.
CaringBridge is a nonprofit social network dedicated to helping family and friends communicate with and support loved ones during a health journey. Learn more about CaringBridge.
