Off to London….

Well I am up and preparing to travel to the University of Western Hospital to meet the “wonder surgeon”; my travel partners for the day will be my support system made up of my hubby and my folks. My daughters wanted to attend this meeting but I felt that they should allow us to carry this meeting on our own. Usually I allow them the freedom to choose whether or not they will be in attendance at my appointments but today I feel like having just Pat, Mom and Dad. 

In early December my spouse and I met with 2 of my oncologists at the Cancer Clinic in London, during that meeting they told us that it was time to do surgery to remove the right side of my liver. The protocol was to present my case to the Tumour Board, which consists of several oncologists and the surgeons that tend to the Victoria Hospital as well as the Western Hospital in London. They meet one day a month and discuss the various patients and surgeries that are needed.  I love the fact that they do this, I find extreme comfort knowing that several sets of eyes have viewed my file and have made suggestions regarding my treatment options.

The day that they all met I received a phone call from my nurse Rosemary to inform me that one of the surgeons; Dr Quan who is a liver transplant surgeon from Western Hospital stepped up and said he feels that he “may” be able to do the re-section.  

Which to me is so exciting considering up to this phone call I was told that my tumour was not operable. As soon as I got off the phone with Rosemary I called his office to find out when he would meet with me. His receptionist explained that he would see me on the 30^th of January to discuss the 2 options available to me. She also indicated that I should have my family attend so that everyone was aware of the options available. This is a common practice for 4^th stage liver patients…. 

Ugg, I knew that..... but hearing 4^th stage felt like she also reached through the phone and kicked me in the chest. Dr. Quan is a liver transplant surgeon, and I am sure he also performed several other liver surgeries, however; his title freaks the shit out of me. So why does he want to meet with my family? Is he going to suggest a transplant? Is he going to tell us the fact is 40% of liver cancer patients have liver failure either during surgery or just after?( a fact I know) Is he going to tell me that this is simply to give me more time? I am full of questions and only 5 hours away from having everything answered……

The truth about not wanting the girls to go is because I fear them potentially hearing that I need a liver. You see, since we were told about the surgery my daughters have been telling me that each of them want to be a donor if needed. They feel that I am too young to die, and that it really is no big deal to have to go through a surgery to save my life. 

Do you have any idea how hard that is to hear?? No child should ever be in a position to say this to their parent. AND I am so honoured to have these angels in my life. The fact that they would even consider such a thing gives me the HOPE I need to face whatever comes my way.

The answer to this however is; NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO. A mother will take a bullet for their child, not put them in front of one. Never would I consider or allow this to happen. I am just in awe though, that the girls conversed amongst themselves and then presented me with the option if needed. I feel so so blessed!

I am nervous as hell, but I am going to be just fine!

 xoxo

Ok I am off with the much needed love and support I could ever possibly pray for. I also know that I have an incredible amount of support from each of you that takes the time to read about my journey. I know that I have friends that love me so much, you guys fill my bucket each and every day. You will never know how much I appreciate knowing that you are always in my corner. My sisters, my brother, Patsy, Darrin, Tammy, Tracy, Theresa, Ger and Pam you are all so dear to me.  And to all my cousins that reach out to me THANK YOU!

I will blog again later tonight to give an update from our meeting. God Bless and Thanks for reading my thoughts about today.

~Christine~