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Lyn
Member
08-07-2002
| Saturday, January 28, 2006 - 7:50 pm
I'm looking for information about metal stints - re:cancer. On Monday hubby may be getting one for his common bile duct (his stomach cancer is spreading) and the information I'm finding on the net is NOT encouraging. Does anyone have any experience with, or know of anyone with one who has, a metal stint?
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Herckleperckle
Member
11-20-2003
| Saturday, January 28, 2006 - 11:56 pm
Lyn, you are misspelling 'stents,' which may be why you have had trouble locating info. I subscribe to Ivanhoe.com--a medical breakthrough report--through their site and via emails. I am posting all info for you here on the topic of stents. (Btw, my husband has had angioplasty twice--to open arteries to help circulation, though.) I have no idea if what I am posting is any help at all given your husband's diagnosis. Please know I am offering prayers for you and your husband. I am just posting one tonight and will post the rest tomorrow, k?
Source: Ivanhoe.com Reported August 13, 2004 New Stents Get Cautious Thumbs Up (Ivanhoe Newswire) -- People who undergo a balloon angioplasty to open a clogged artery often receive a stent as well -- a small, wire-mesh device inserted into the artery to keep it from closing. The problem with older (metal) stents, however, has been that they can trigger an immune response from the cells in the walls of the artery that cause the artery to become occluded. Stents coated with drugs to stop this process have been touted as the answer to this problem. Now researchers who pooled data from 11 studies comparing bare-metal stents with the newer drug-eluting stents tentatively agree. Their results show people who had the drug-eluting stents were significantly less likely than those receiving the bare-metal stents to experience severe cardiac events, 8 percent vs. 16 percent. They were also more likely to avoid an episode of restenosis, or reblocking of the artery, six to 12 months later, a common problem for anyone undergoing balloon angioplasty. Thirty percent of the bare-metal stent patients experienced reblockage compared to just 9 percent of those who got a drug-eluting stent. The analysis found no difference in mortality rates or subsequent heart attacks in the two groups, however. The authors of the study believe longer term follow-up is needed to fully determine the safety and effectiveness of drug-eluting stents, especially in patients considered at high risk of complications. German investigators writing in an accompanying commentary agree, noting few studies have gauged long-term outcomes for these patients. SOURCE: The Lancet, 2004;364:583-591
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Lyn
Member
08-07-2002
| Monday, January 30, 2006 - 7:12 am
Thanks for the information, Herckleperckle, and for correcting my spelling From what you wrote I can picture better what they were talking about the other day.
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Babyruth
Member
07-19-2001
| Monday, January 30, 2006 - 7:51 am
Lyn, the stent is a tiny tube placed inside the common bile duct in order to keep it open, so that bile fluids may flow normally out of the liver. When the bile duct is blocked or smushed closed by cancer or other disease, the fluids cannot be released from the liver, resulting in pain, nausea, jaundice and further complications. The stent should help make your hubby feel better soon. The stent is usually placed during an endoscopic procedure, during which your hubby will be sedated and a thin tube placed down his throat, thru his stomach and down to the common bile duct area, where the physician will insert the stent. Hubby may (or may not) spend the night in the hospital afterwards. Hope this helps- Let me know if you any more questions. I'm keeping you and your hubby in my thoughts. (((Lyn)))
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Lyn
Member
08-07-2002
| Monday, January 30, 2006 - 9:19 am
No operation today - they BROKE both department ORs! They did assure him this morning that something will be happening sometime over the next couple of days, though just not what. (They speak in vague terms about everything so even if we as point blank questions we end up knowing even less than before) The problem they're facing with Allan is that had his entire stomach removed last year due to stomach cancer. They can't (I don't really understand why) go through the new stomach they built him, so they'll have to do it another way. Hubby still has cancerous tumors in different areas that block this area or that... They're hopeful but aren't sure they can do the stent. The only thing I know for sure is that the drain he has isn't working - he's only had it for a couple of months and has already had four infections - two of which almost killed him. (He lost 50lbs in one month in the hospital and another 15 at home since then). I'm hoping this is the answer because he's already been turned down for another round of chemo/radiation earlier this month. They ARE open to re-assessing him for the chemo if the stent is in. Thank you both for your good thoughts and all your help (((hugs)))
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Herckleperckle
Member
11-20-2003
| Monday, January 30, 2006 - 12:04 pm
Lyn, sorry, I was kind of out of commission yesterday. Sounds as if Babyruth's post was more on point for what you needed. But golly, after reading all your dh--and you, well, I know--have been through, my heavens, I am just overwhelmed. Praying for pain-free, peaceful days for your husband--and you. I never knew they could 'rebuild' a stomach--that is amazing. I just wish everything in his body was cancer-free. I guess this means they will have to use traditional surgery techniques to insert the stent. I can post more about stents but I think you are past that question now, right? Lyn, please know you both are in my thoughts and prayers. {{{Hugs}}} right back and keep us informed, please.
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Watching2
Member
07-07-2001
| Thursday, February 02, 2006 - 6:08 am
{{{{{{{Lyn & Allan}}}}}}}} I was just reading the thread and just had to send you and your hubby some hugs. I'll keep you both in my prayers.
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Lyn
Member
08-07-2002
| Thursday, February 02, 2006 - 2:15 pm
Allan had the stent put in yesterday after all. He feels like crap today but is really looking forward to them removing his bag for good on Monday
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Herckleperckle
Member
11-20-2003
| Friday, February 10, 2006 - 10:39 pm
Oh, I am sorry I haven't checked in with you lately, Lyn. I hope all is well with Allan. Is he feeling better, hon?

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Lyn
Member
08-07-2002
| Sunday, February 12, 2006 - 12:05 pm
He's still in pain but is doing better. Looks like the temp bag will be on for a bit longer while he heals. They are also considering putting another stent in - this time where his new stomach is. There is a good possibility hubby has a tumor blocking off his stomach, which would explain the continued weightloss Thanks for asking, Herckleperckle 
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