Anyone diagnosed with Gallbladder cancer?

Thank you @colleenyoung

I travel 7/16 - my husband is coming with this time. We are estranged though living in the same house. He’s not much support.

The lack of a sense of urgency is really frustrating. Not just at Mayo but it seems everywhere. It’s caused resection to be no longer an option. And allowed stage 2 to progress to stage 4. And still I still and wait.
By the time treatment is started who knows how & where it’s spread.

Has anyone switched from Mayo to else where with better results or is this just how it goes?

Hi @tammie4jc, I'm tagging fellow members like @pgf @waflanders @alie @formayor @heartofgold57 @viopp @sonic997 @johnny2053 @edie78t. who have experience with gallbladder cancer either as a patient or family caregiver.

I can imagine that telling your family about the diagnosis was one of the hardest things you've had to do. You might appreciate some of the comments and resources shared in this related discussion:
- Family dynamics challenging when a parent has cancer: Want to connect
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/group-focused-on-families-and-parent-with-cancer/

When do you travel to Mayo Clinic? Will you have someone accompany you?

Yes.
That was hands down the hardest thing I’ve had to do. Heartbreaking.
Thank you for offering your ear! I appreciate it greatly.

My oldest daughter is very helpful but she has one year of college left. When she goes back it will be very hard. I won’t see her again until Christmas & that’s not guaranteed.

@tammie4jc
I hope your adult children are some support.
I live in Rochester, but am only in town part of summer. Other times in northern MN cabin. If anything I can do to help or just someone to talk to, let me know. I am cancer survivor, but never in same situation you are in.

Have you told your family?

I’m traveling to Rochester location from rural Alaska. I’ve been there twice already - once for labs/scans & early this week for biopsy.
I was unprepared for the stage 4 diagnosis. My care in Alaska & waiting for Mayo to have availability has wasted precious time. Now the realization that this is not curable is sinking in.
I’m 56 with 8 beautiful kids - four still at home. I don’t need to say more. I know we all know how devastating this cancer is.
I’m just looking for support.

@tammie4jc

Welcome to Mayo Connect, I hope you find it helpful and supportive.
I am sure your full of questions and anxiety. Many members have beem in same situation your in.

You may want to check out this discussion, "Anyone diagnosed with Gallbladder cancer?"
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/gallbladder-cancer/

On Connect you can read comments from oldest to newest, or sort from newest to oldest.

Which Mayo location are you going to? Do you have to travel far?

Diagnosed with stage 4 gallbladder cancer.
I have my first appointment with the oncologist at Mayo.
I’m having a hard time finding support.
Is anyone still here?

Can someone comment if they had inflammation of spleen when diagnosed?

Not yet my cancer is very slow going and my oncologist said to wait , We also send my cancer and blood for molecular screening

I have been on this regimen since June 29, 2023. I am on a 3-week cycle, chemo on the first day of the first 2 weeks and off the 3rd week. I only get the Imfinzi once on that cycle. I had a scan after 4 cycles and the size of the tumor was "relatively unchanged". However, the good news is that I have been able to manage the side effects well which includes (for me), nausea feeling, fatigue, loss of appetite and constipation.

You can manage the side effects by reading up and by trial and error to see what works and what does not. If your tumor is growing, you should not wait! Hope this helps.