nickysfight's Cancer Blog

May 24, 2008

No SIR-Spheres for Mom :-(

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Mom had the shunt study done on Wednesday and it ruled her out as a candidate for the SIR-Spheres…..just for now? We were very disappointed but they suggested that they may test again in 3 months to see if there is a change in her arteries. As of right now, her arteries are too small for the procedure. We’re not sure what would change the size of her arteries but we are thinking it is related to Avastin which they said can affect the vasculature.

Mom meets with Dr. Kane on Tuesday and we should have more information then. Dr. Kane will also lay out what Mom’s treatment will be in the coming months. I will let you know more after Tuesday.

I didn’t really explain the shunt study much prior to the procedure so here is an explanation of what Mom underwent on Thursday (taken from the SIR-Sphere support group, Y-90, website):

You will be prepped for the procedure and your interventional radiologist will make a tiny incision in your leg and carefully place a small but long, flexible plastic tube called a catheter into the femoral artery (which is the major blood vessel in the leg). He/she will use an x-ray that allows him to view the inside of the body on the screen as he guides the catheter through the blood vessels to the hepatic artery (which is one of two blood vessels that feed the liver). He will ease the tube into the branch of the hepatic artery that feeds the cancerous tumor(s) in your liver. This process will ensure that the microspheres are going to be distributed appropriately. It will also indicate whether or not they will be likely to go into areas that could be dangerous – such as the lung or abdominal cavity. Sometimes blood flow will have to be redirected. You will be awake for the procedure and can even watch the monitors if you so choose. You may feel some pressure but should not feel pain. Once the procedure is complete, the catheter will be carefully removed and pressure will be applied to the incision. You will have to lie flat for several hours to ensure that bleeding does not occur. If all goes well and Yttrium 90 Microspheres therapy is possible, then a date for the procedure will be set and you should be able to return home shortly after the evaluation.

Posted on May 24, 2008 at 4:55:07 PM by Julie Scheffer for Nicky Hopper ( No SIR-Spheres for Mom :-(, 1 comment)

Let your Mom we have her 6, We are here to support her and the rest of your family, as she go through the treatments to fight this Cancer.

Hug sherri

Posted on May 25, 2008 at 10:35:08 AM by karlak