#95918 05-22-2009 04:05 PM | Joined: Aug 2008 Posts: 716 "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) | OP  "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts)
Joined: Aug 2008 Posts: 716 | Here's something...Sometime after my tx's I have been getting gall bladder attacks, 3 since January 2009. Well, my GI told me that I have 2 small gall stones and now I am scheduled to have the bladder removed on June 16th. I decided I might as well have it removed now before I have to have it removed at 3am through the ER. They think that the stones developed due to drastic weight loss in a very short amount of time...apparently it happens.
Another reason to keep pouring those calories down your throat or PEG...just do it.
7-16-08 age 37@Dx, T3N0M0 SCC 4.778cm tumor, left side of oral tongue, non smoker, casual drinker, I am the 4th in my family to have H&N cancer
8-13-08 left neck dissection and 40% of tongue removed, submandibular salivary gland & 14 nodes clean, no chemo, IMRTx35
11-4-08 Recovering & feeling better
| | | | | Joined: Dec 2008 Posts: 1,004 Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) | | Patient Advocate (1000+ posts)
Joined: Dec 2008 Posts: 1,004 | Hi Ray,
So sorry to hear that you have more to go through. I had a kidney stone once and it was awful. I imagine what you have gone through is similar and that pain is terrible. Sorry for sounding stupid but, what happens when you don't have a bladder?
Suzanne
***********
T1 SCC on right side of tongue
Age 31...27 when diagnosed
4 partial glossectomies
No chemo or radiation
Biopsy on 2/2/10-Clear
Surgery needed again...no later than April 2011
Loving life and just became a mother on 11/25/10
It's not what we CAN'T do..it's what we CAN do:)
| | | | | Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 10,507 Likes: 7 Administrator, Director of Patient Support Services Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Administrator, Director of Patient Support Services Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 10,507 Likes: 7 | Ray, sorry to hear about your gall bladder problems. Those attacks sure can take alot out of you and bring you to your knees. I had mine out several years ago. My daughter is only 17 and has suffered with hers too and is scheduled for a consult on June 10th. Its best to get rid of it and you will feel so much better.
Suzanne, its not the bladder like what works with the kidneys. The gall bladder works with your liver. From what I know, its like another filter. Im no way near being medically profecient though, so I hope Im kinda close on that.
Best of luck as always, Ray.
ChristineSCC 6/15/07 L chk & by L molar both Stag I, age44 2x cispltn-35 IMRT end 9/27/07 -65 lbs in 2 mo, no caregvr Clear PET 1/08 4/4/08 recur L chk Stag I surg 4/16/08 clr marg 215 HBO dives 3/09 teeth out, trismus 7/2/09 recur, Stg IV 8/24/09 trach, ND, mandiblctmy 3wks medicly inducd coma 2 mo xtended hospital stay, ICU & burn unit PICC line IV antibx 8 mo 10/4/10, 2/14/11 reconst surg OC 3x in 3 years very happy to be alive  | | | | | Joined: May 2008 Posts: 357 Platinum Member (300+ posts) | | Platinum Member (300+ posts)
Joined: May 2008 Posts: 357 | Hi, Ray -
I feel your pain! Really.
On a scale of 1-10, with childbirth being 10, a gall bladder attack is a 9. My surgery *was* an emergency -- after I went to the er twice (misdiagnosis the first time), the 2nd at 2 a.m., & staying in the er for 18 hours, & having surgery delayed another 8 hours because I needed several units of blood because I take coumadin & my blood was so thin they dared not operate, & when they did they discovered the gall bladder was so infected that I needed mega doses of antibiotics & I had to stay in the hospital five more days -- scheduling it is much better.
I hope you don't have to go through another attack.
Good luck. You will feel sooooo much better!
Marlene
ps -
the gall bladder stores bile from the liver & uses it to break down fat & cholesterol. I've always watched what I eat, & I'm fine without it.
Marginal mandibulectomy 6/17/08 resulted in DX of Stage I SCC - gingiva (3 mm) right mandible, buccal side. Clear margins. Occasional social drinker. Smoked last cigarette in 1979. Clear pet: 12/08; 7/20/09. Yay!
| | | | | Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 10,507 Likes: 7 Administrator, Director of Patient Support Services Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Administrator, Director of Patient Support Services Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 10,507 Likes: 7 | Marlene, thanks for clearly explaining what the gall bladder is for. Makes alot more sense than what I had thought.
ChristineSCC 6/15/07 L chk & by L molar both Stag I, age44 2x cispltn-35 IMRT end 9/27/07 -65 lbs in 2 mo, no caregvr Clear PET 1/08 4/4/08 recur L chk Stag I surg 4/16/08 clr marg 215 HBO dives 3/09 teeth out, trismus 7/2/09 recur, Stg IV 8/24/09 trach, ND, mandiblctmy 3wks medicly inducd coma 2 mo xtended hospital stay, ICU & burn unit PICC line IV antibx 8 mo 10/4/10, 2/14/11 reconst surg OC 3x in 3 years very happy to be alive | | | | | Joined: Jan 2009 Posts: 225 "OCF across the pond" Gold Member (200+ posts) | | "OCF across the pond" Gold Member (200+ posts)
Joined: Jan 2009 Posts: 225 | Hi,
My mum had her gall bladder removed 4 years ago. it went swimmingly well, except that she was scared of the morphine induced hallucinations and asked to be given paracetamol instead.
The nurse said that the gall bladder is like a storage room for acid produced by the liver. The liver is always producing it and the gall bladder stores it for when you eat. Then it squeezes itself and gives you that extra acid for digestion.
She is fine and fit now and the only thing she has trouble eating is lettuce, otherwise she can eat everything.
The scar is also very little, they do everything keyhole now, so it's less invading.
Good luck.
Girlfriend to Martin 49 years old at diagnosis
Diagnosed with SCC unknown primary June 2008.
Cancer found in single node Stage N2A (3 to 6cm).
Tonsilectomy 16th june, Radical modified neck dissection left side 30th june.
30 TX radiotherapy ended 9th October
First comparative study scan came back clear
| | | | | Joined: Jan 2008 Posts: 706 "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) | | "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts)
Joined: Jan 2008 Posts: 706 | I had mine out several years ago. I had been suffering for awhile and was told that I was too young (33). I also had lost alot of weight and have it in my family. Needless to say it was a HUGE stone and I felt so much better when it was all removed.
Sue
cg to husband, 48 Stage 1V head and neck SCC. First surgery 9/07. Radiation and several rounds of chemo followed. Mets to chest and lungs. "Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass, it's about learning to dance in the rain." Went home to God on February 22, 2009.
| | | | | Joined: Jan 2009 Posts: 1,844 Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) | | Patient Advocate (1000+ posts)
Joined: Jan 2009 Posts: 1,844 | My wife had to have her gall bladder removed a couple of years ago. She has an incredible pain tolerance and went through 2 childbirths with no drugs or spinal block and really didn't have too many complaints there. The night she had her gall bladder attack it had put her to her knees crying and was in incredible pain. When asked what was worse she always replies gall bladder over child birth...but it's different for everybody. Either way, that sucks man sorry you have to go through this too
Young Frack, SCC T4N2M0, Cisplatin,35+ rads,ND, RT Mandiblectomy w fibular free flap, facial paralysis, "He who has a "why" to live can bear with almost any "how"." -Nietzche "WARNING" PG-13 due to Sarcasm & WAY too much attitude, interact at your own risk.
| | | | | Joined: Aug 2008 Posts: 716 "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) | | OP "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts)
Joined: Aug 2008 Posts: 716 | Thank you guys...I should be okay...they will be taking the gall bladder out through my belly button...go figure.
yea, the gall bladder attack was like someone cutting me open from the inside out.
just another reason to stay hydrated and keep those calories up...the docs don't think i would be going through this if it wasn't for the sludging.
7-16-08 age 37@Dx, T3N0M0 SCC 4.778cm tumor, left side of oral tongue, non smoker, casual drinker, I am the 4th in my family to have H&N cancer
8-13-08 left neck dissection and 40% of tongue removed, submandibular salivary gland & 14 nodes clean, no chemo, IMRTx35
11-4-08 Recovering & feeling better
| | | | | Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 5,260 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 5,260 | I never had that but my bother had it,, I did have kindeys stones and I have never felt worse pain. Had em 12 times and that is one pain to put up on the shelf for someone else LOL
Since posting this. UPMC, Pittsburgh, Oct 2011 until Jan. I averaged about 2 to 3 surgeries a week there. w Can't have jaw made as bone is deteroriating steaily that is left in jaw. Mersa is to blame. Feeding tube . Had trach for 4mos. Got it out April.
--- Passed away 5/14/14, will be greatly missed by everyone here
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