What do you think: Gallbladder surgery & ovca

[alanpvegas]

I"m getting a little ticked off at some doctors and their misconceptions about ovarian cancer and cancer in general.  Basically mom has lots of gallstones and is miserable due to them...yet the surgeon didn't want to operate because she has "cancer" (yet recommended she go hospice) and the primary care provider said "nobody" will operate on her gallbladder because she has "cancer" (and recommended hospice).  Mind you the oncologist hasn't spoken a lick about hospice because she is, ahem, in treatment!

Heck, even the primary care provider said that 'surgery' will expose the cancer to air and make it spread (that's news to the NCI and ACS and others who say this is a misconception and that doesn't make it spread).   How dangerous are these doctors who base life saving or necessary medical decisions on misconceptions, superstitions and false beliefs?  I'm wondering when leaches will come back in style for cancer...maybe if we let cancer patients 'bleed' they will release all the 'evil spirts'....jeesh.  Ok, I'm sorta calming down now :)

So, anyone see any reason she should not have this surgery?

[Kimchi]

Think I sent you some info on flushes..http://www.curezone.com/forums/fm.asp?i=86645#i
Might be worth a try before letting doctors cut her open

[Kimchi]

http://www.curezone.com/forums/search.asp?q=+gallstones+

[SimplyStar]

I think I would insist on the GB surgery, your mother deserves to be rid of that pain, who has said that cancer is air born?  Has any one thought that maybe if they will open her up for the GB that maybe an IP of chemo might help kill some of that cancer that is still there?  Just grasping at straws here.  I don't blame you for screaming at the doctors.

[Hazel30]

Hi Alan,
My Mom just finished her last chemo treatment this week for her recurrence.  About 2 months back she was in major major pain for about 3 weeks until her CT scan revealed that she did have a gallstone and its one of those that will not diminish on its own and must be surgically removed (similar to your Mom I guess).  Her oncol and the GI and the surgeon also said they will not operate until she's well of chemo.  So I think she might go for it in about a month, I pray all goes well with her health and she will be able to do that.  I understand the pain because I saw what my Mom was going through for week and it was awful.  I wish your Mom the best of luck, also I wanted to mention that my Moms pain eventualy stopped and completely stopped.  Its weird but good it stopped.

[Helmar]

This is certainly an enigma... as many ovca women go for second and third surgeries ( in some cases even more) so did your Mum's Doctors give any specific reasons for not doing the operation to relieve her of the gall-bladder pain? I can't figure out why they refuse to do it, when it's well known that further surgery is often performed to take out tumours, for women already with active cancer. It doesn't seem right that your Mum is going through pain that could be relieved. When something like this happens, I wonder if they think that because we have ovarian cancer, we are not worth it. It was only because of the fighting spirit of my Surgeon that I'm still here... according to my initial scans, it didn't look good for me, but 3 1/2 years later... still going.... and having fun. My thoughts.. don't give up... get more opinions Alan, and surely you will find a Doctor like mine. They exist.
Wishing your Mum all the best, and hope she will soon be feeling much better... Hugs...Helen...

[rootietootie]

Hi Alan, unfortunately doctors are hesitant about doing surgery on sick cancer patients because of the high rate of law suits.  Even though patients are required to sign a waiver,  the physican could still be faulted from doing the surgery.  Its a no win situation, which is unfortunately becoming the norm in this country.  

[YvonneS]

I understand your frustration.  I need catarract surgery and they won't do it.  Had gall bladder surgery number of years ago and no how miserable your Mom is.  Like Rootie, doctor are so afraid of law suits and there are so many bad ones, it hurts us who need this help.  Good luck, Yvonne