SIRT: Take that, liver tumors!
Nancy Hamm, with her husband Clint
When I started writing From Incurable to Incredible, I had two goals: to help others…and myself, to be honest! Well it certainly has helped me in so many ways.
Nancy Hamm is one of the stories I shared in the book and on this site. Nancy’s doctor called her on her 59th birthday with news she had liver cancer. When it came back after surgery, they told her she had seven months to live. Luckily her son found out about a targeted radiation therapy that zapped her liver tumors and enabled her to get a liver transplant. She has been perfectly healthy ever since.
When I was writing Nancy Hamm’s story, I didn’t think her treatment pertained to me because she had primary liver cancer and mine was breast cancer that spread to the liver. But when Nancy came by to pick up her books, she encouraged me to check it out for myself. I did some research and found out about Selective Internal Radiation Therapy (SIRT), which injects microscopic radioactive beads directly to the liver tumor through the hepatic artery. The outpatient procedure provides a concentrated dosage over a longer period of time, while conserving normal liver tissue that surrounds the tumor. That means minimal side effects. Heck, Nancy was at a party three days after the procedure!
I contacted the surgeon that Nancy went to and I’m scheduled for a consultation and scan the end of this month. Based on my past scans, they told me I’m a perfect candidate for the procedure. They told me this is not considered a cure, but I know it worked well for Nancy and Evan (another person in my book.) Nancy also told me of a man who was in remission for four years after having the treatment.
I want to point out that both my oncologist and the oncologist I consult with pooh poohed the idea. I believe it’s because they are so focused on their own specialty. I say this to encourage you to be proactive in your care and do your own research. In other words, be the captain of your own ship and keep searching on your own. That’s one thing a lot of the people in the book did, and they are alive and well to talk about it!
I will let you know more after I have my consultation.
Ashley O says:
You know I can’t wait to hear!
Sherri says:
Excellent, Tami. Good luck with your consultation. I totally agree with you regarding being proactive in your health care. Doctors do get focused on their own areas and often forget to treat the whole patient or… maybe one procedure failed on one person but may not on another….. Anyway, I admire them all for what they do, but… You are the patient – you know your body – you know what you want to try….. Keep us posted!
Jenara says:
Tami, your encouragement to be proactive in your situation and “captain” of your own ship reminds me of something my pastor shared yesterday. In the book of James chapter 1 it says to, count it all joy when we are facing challenges in our lives. He found that the word “count” in the greek means to take the lead in our challenge. To face the challenge proactively instead of passively. To choose what you say and do in your situation…I believe God helps us to know our body and gives us wisdom to know what is needed when we rely on Him. Thank God for the doctors and their role, but ultimately God is the One who will bring us into complete wholeness! Praying for you … keep us posted!
erika hanson brown says:
best of luck to you, Tami!! (I know Nancy, btw…)