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

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