Luke Mutter survived cholangiocarcinoma | systemic chemotherapy | oxaliplatin | folfirinox |trastuzumab

DESCRIPTION

It took two chemotherapy regimens, but Luke Mutter survived a rare form of bile duct cancer.  A CT scan found a 14cm tumor in his liver.  At that time, his care team told him he had cancer, but it could not identify the type of cancer.  He was put on a systemic chemotherapy cocktail of folfirinox and oxaplatin, which attempt to kill the tumor.  When that didn’t work, Luke learned he was a candidate for a hepatic artery infusion, which included chemo far stronger than his first regimen.  Luke has achieved survivorship and is very thankful to be to lead a healthy lifestyle.

Considering he was eventually diagnosed with bile duct cancer, his journey in an unlikely place.  His feet.  He saw a doctor thinking that as an active runner, he had plantar fascilitis.  Walking was very painful, as was laying down on his stomach.  That is what led to a CT scan, revealing a 14cm tumor in his liver. 

Luke saw an oncologist and was told he had cancer, but the doctor could not identify what type of cancer.  Nonetheless, the doctor said Luke needed to go on a regimen of systemic chemotherapy, which would affect his entire body, a regimen that sought to kill the tumor.  The cocktail consisted of oxaliplatin and folfirinox.  He received a dosage every two weeks for 18 months.

The tumor withstood the chemo, and Luke went to another hospital, where he qualified for a surgical procedure to install a hepatic artery infusion pump.  It directed chemotherapy just to the liver at a dose 300 times stronger than the systemic chemotherapy. 

Luke Mutter achieved survivorship and is thrilled to be back at work as a sales consultant.  He also considers a major blessing that after chemotherapy he can taste food, resume exercising and the ability to make his family and friends laugh.

By way of advice, he said during his journey, as much as he could, he decided to take charge, by controlling his mindset, exercise, diet and sleep, or as he like to call the group his MEDS.  Luke also serves as a mentor to those diagnosed with cholangiocarcinoma.

Additional Resources:

Support Group:

The Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation  https://www.cholangiocarcinomafoundation.org

SHOW NOTES

TITLE: Luke Mutter, Stage Four Cholangiocarcinoma Survivor – Lake Bluff, Illinois, USA

It took two chemotherapy regimens, but Luke Mutter survived cholangiocarcinoma, a rare form of bile duct cancer.   A CT scan revealed a 14cm tumor in his liver.  Doctors told him he had cancer but could specify what type.  His second chemotherapy regimen led to a diagnosis of Stage IV Cholangiocarcinoma.  Luke was able to achieve survivorship and is very thankful for his ability to taste food, to exercise and to make his friends laugh.

Additional Resources:

Support Group:

The Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation  https://www.cholangiocarcinomafoundation.org

Time Stamps:

02:25 Luke’s journey began when he felt pain in his feet.

04:05 A CT scan revealed a 14cm tumor in his liver.

05:03 A vague process, which included systemic chemotherapy, led to his unspecified diagnosis.

06:37 Before the chemotherapy regimen, Luke was told he had cancer.

08:30 Was told he was a candidate for a second chemo regimen, via a hepatic artery infusion.

10:08 His diagnosis was identified.

12:43 Reaction to diagnosis.

16:35 Luke is asked if he had a tough time finding a competent care team.

22:00 Advice to others.

KEYWORDS (tags):

bile duct cancer

cholangiocarcinoma

luke mutter

oxaliplatin

plantar fascilitis

systemic chemotherapy

bruce morton

folfirinox

hepatic artery infusion

HERS2+

trastuzumab