What you need to know about the liver is that there are two lobes and 4 sections in each lobe for a total of 8 sections. I had 6 sections removed in November (75% removed) and then arteries and veins redirected to the 2 sections that are left. This promotes rapid regrowth of the remaining liver so I can get back to 100% quickly.
The issue we have, even with the best technology ever, our imaging machines cannot see everything. So as we promoted the growth of my healthy cells within my remaining liver, we also promoted the growth of microscopic unhealthy cells, which we knew most likely existed. The plan had been to eliminate these remaining cancer cells as they popped up. The problem is that the popped up too quickly.
These tumors are very aggressive, already occupying over 50% of my liver. I was given a scary prognosis about a month ago, which I'm not comfortable sharing on this platform (Russians are watching). So we went to work and found a potential, cutting edge treatment known as a Living Donor Liver Transplant. It's exactly as it sounds. A sibling, cousin or close friend, meeting all the correct criteria, would donate a portion of their liver to me and my existing liver would be removed.
One critical qualifying component on my side is that there cannot be any disease existing outside of the liver.
Just as I was preparing to undergo a full examination to qualify, three "nodules" were found outside of my liver. So, we came up with a game plan.
We are targeting those three spots with a type of radiation (non-invasive) called SBRT or more commonly known as the cyber knife. It is so precise that it can target all three in a session and I can go about my day with minimal side effects.
At the same time (already started) we'll treat my cancer with 6 months of systemic Chemo to ensure no further progression or recurrences outside of the liver. As the end of the 6 months approaches, I'll undergo the full examination and most likely be placed on the National Liver Transplant list. As soon as that happens, potential donors will call and undergo some initial phone screenings and if selected, undergo a full examination.
I am not allowed to pick the donor or provide feedback on who should be the donor. We'll leave that to the experts.
A date for the surgeries will be scheduled and we'll travel to the Cleveland Clinic to have the procedures completed.
It's my understanding that my insurance will pay for both surgeries and recoveries, but will not cover travel expenses. It's important to me to have both my family and the donor's family in Cleveland for as long as they want, which adds up when you're talking two whole families for an undetermined amount of time. Most likely 1 1/2 weeks for the donor and 2-3 weeks for me.
So that's it! It's a novel! Thanks for caring enough to ask Amy Christensen Cosby and Emily Martino Gold!
We're very optimistic about this plan and have already seen some positive responses from the Chemo we started! Got to make it through these next 6-8 months!
Thanks for all the thoughts, prayers, cards, meals, donations, and the list goes on.... they help tremendously and give me the energy I need!
Here are some pictures of a Vacation we were able to fit in! We had a blast and created memories to last a lifetime!
