What are we looking at?

Today my Mom went in to have the stent placed between liver and pancreas. Unfortunatley it was not successful as the tumor is blocking and inflammed, she will need to go to a different hospital next week to have it hopefully placed. She needed a breathing tube this time and did not a couple weeks ago when they did the upper endoscopy for the biopsy. The doctor today was surprised at how quickly she is getting jaundice, something we have noticed this passed week. She is gettig weaker and I am getting so scared. I unfortuantley do not have a job that is flexible to go to all of her appointments but I was wondering what your opinion would be about the appointment for the stent next week, I don't want something bad to happen and not have been there but it is just a procedure. What are your thoughts on that?

I appreciate your update, @lovemymom1. Whenever I have had an endoscopy procedure, I always have a canula (for extra oxygen) put on my face, so I wouldn't be too concerned about that. Was she sent home with oxygen as well?

I can understand your concern about the jaundice. I hope that the procedure next week will help that. I don't personally have any experience with a stent, but I hope that one of our other members might be able to address your concerns about that. Do you have any specific questions?

I can understand your fears for your mom, that is natural. You are doing a great service for your mom, by being with her and helping her through each step of this process.

Will you keep in touch and let me know how she (and you) is doing?

My tumor was found as a result of it blocking off my bile duct. It first closed the pancreatic duct and I was having diarrhea. Then later it blocked my bile duct. By the time my bile duct was blocked I had blown all my vitamin K out and the pancreatic enzymes were not breaking down food for vitamin K. I am on blood thinners for blood clots in my leg. My target range for my blood thinning is 2-3. Normal is 0-1. I go in for checks every so often. The machine would not put out a number May 30th when I went in for a check. My number was 9 and I was sent to the ER and admitted for IV vitamin K to bring it down. Now getting to your question. blood work was done in the ER and my Bilirubin was 10. Normal again is 0-1. They did an ultrasound and found the ducts in my liver bowed out and something with the head of my pancreas. I developed jaundice in the hospital. Each day my Bilirubin increased by 2. 12, 14, 16, 18, and finally 20. My stint worked the first time, but I was told there was a chance it could not be placed. As old blood cells are broken down by the liver the pieces are expelled through the bile duct and into the small intestine. When the bile duct is blocked as mine and your moms is the Bilirubin goes into the blood stream and this will result in jaundice. As happened to me and your mom. Once the stint is in place so the bile duct is open the bilirubin will drop, and the jaundice will go away. Most likely pancreatic enzymes will still be needed to process fat for the nutrients we need from them and waxy vegetables.

I do not have any information on the second stint placement as the first worked for me. Your mom should feel better after they get the stint placed. Do you know what your moms Bilirubin number is? I was in the hospital, and they were not going to let me out until they could get my count to stop climbing. My stint was placed around 6pm and the next morning my Bilirubin was down, and they sent me home.

Wishing only the best for you and your mother and everyone dealing with cancer,

I responded to this a few days ago not sure what happened to my post.
I am so sorry you are going through this happyjack. Thank you for sharing your story with me.
My Mom's billirubin level is at 4.84. Since the stent didn't work tomorrow she will be going in for a bypass, really hoping it is successful as she is getting so weak from not eating much and losing so much weight. I will keep you posted tomorrow on how the procedure goes. Can I ask why you are on a blood thinner? Thank you again I really appreciate all the responses.

Please let us know how it goes. My stint was no big deal just like a regular endoscopy. Then it was removed with the Whipple Surgery on 7-12-24. I am not sure what all the by pass will involve but I hope it is easy for her. I am on blood thinners for blood clots in my leg.

I hope all goes well tomorrow and your mom starts to feel better.

Hi everyone- update on my Mom, she went in yesterday morning for the bypass and it was a success, yay so happy for that. Doctor said it should take about a week for the body to pass or absorb?? the billirubin and whether or not her appetite comes back that is still in question so time will tell with that. Really hoping she starts to feel a little better soon.

My Bilirubin level went down really fast in just the first 12 hours after the stint was placed. I was actually suffering from a pretty bad Vertigo attack when I was in the hospital for my high (9.0) INR and my Bilirubin was 20 the morning I had the stint placed. The Jaundice did take days to go away though. Almost a week for that to go away. The Vertigo seems to be a hang around with a general sick feeling for a while. It masked anything I was feeling from the high Bilirubin. I cannot offer anything then about how long she will feel bad from the high Bilirubin. And I was kind of in a funk learning about my pancreatic cancer.

If your mom is not eating because she is upset over having cancer, then her appetite may not return due to this being fixed. Try to do things she likes to do with her. I wanted so bad after my Whipple surgery to feel good enough again to go and do things I liked to do. I even want to be able to do chores. Like laundry, dishes, vacuuming, cleaning my bathroom, and yard work. You might even check into seeing about counseling for the whole family.

Wishing nothing but the best things for you and your mom and everyone with cancer.

HI I am so sorry with everything you have been through.Vertigo is no fun. It seems everyone has different symptoms. She has only experienced bad back pain, stomach pain, some nausea. I know for a fact the lack off appetite is from the tumor not from her being anxious, the doctor also said that is a symptom. I really hope it comes back at least some so she can get some strength. I will have to look up the whipple surgery as I have seen others talk about that, but from what we know, surgery for her will not be an option but we will know more on Friday. Thank you again and I really hope you are doing well and wish you the best.

I’m so sorry you have to go through this. Does your mom still have her gall bladder? I felt so much better after they removed mine. Also make sure you’re giving her low fat foods. I eat a lot of fruit.

Hi Marcia, she does still have her gallbladder. When this all started she went to ER for pain on her side, they suspected gallbladder, did scans and it was not and that is when they found the tumor. I will ask her about it again to make sure it was still viewed before finding the tumor, I would sure hope so though. Good question for her oncologist tomorrow.
Thank you for the tips on food, that's a good idea, she has eaten so little. Thank you