I'm Mirella,
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I am 51 years old and 6 years ago, this long battle against this bad cancer began.
After abdominal colic and further checks that showed antral gastritis and a suspected hepatic angioma of 2cm, actually 8 months later, that suspected angioma was a mass of 7cm. Cholangiocarcinoma Diagnosis.
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Very aggressive asymptomatic tumor with very low life expectancy. Surgery was the only chance for life.
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In the Medici del Sant'Orsola in Bologna I found my point of support, where an almost family relationship was created between surgeons, oncologist and nurses. Thankfully, the surgery was possible. But, unfortunately, the disease has returned several times, almost annually, and to date I have 5 interventions. After the first liver resection, I had to do 3 lung surgeries, 2 resections and a lobectomy to finish, ultimately with the removal of the adrenal gland.
Obviously, almost every intervention has followed adjuvant chemotherapy treatments, sometimes tolerated and sometimes suspended due to toxicity.
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Life is too precious a Gift, and I, I have decided to fight to the end.
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My strength?
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My family, all the people who love me and all the doctors who have always taken care of me.
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Trust between patient and doctor, and vice versa, is very important to overcome a moment where life is putting you to the test.
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I wanted to share the story of my illness here, in the hope that it will be of help to those who are going through a very delicate period right now.
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In recent years, a recurring thought that comes to my mind is that "Prevention is the most important thing".
Mirella