Quite normal for a patient in this condition to be in denial; sometimes it is the family and the patient. Yes, I would not tell her either unless she presented the question to you.
Has the physician or anyone mention anything about hospice care for her to you all? Sounds like she qualifies for inpatient hospice.
Yes I had suspected it as well that it would be pancreatic cancer. Up until recently her liver function tests had been normal.
I don't think there is much time left :( we are trying to convince her to move to her home town hospital as she is in a dif city and has been for 5wks now. Yes they finally put a drain in thurs. Shes had ascites since shortly before easter! The doc will not do chemo as her body is in such bad shape it can't handle it. She is still in denial about it and thinks she has a couple of yrs left....nobody can bring themselves to tell her how much time is left
That is what I thought when you mentioned ascites and pancreatitis. Ascites is associated with liver failure. Once you start seeing ascites it is usually only a matter of time....well....not good.
I hope they are at least tapping some of the fluid out to keep her comfortable because that is all that they can do now. I would recommend looking into hospice care for her.
Is she living alone? Is there any way you can move her closer to you if she is?
Just wanted to update...she was diagnosed with PANCREATIC CANCER with mets! She is not a candidate for the whipple or even chemo for that matter :( we have no idea how long she has with us and the doctors are not honest with her!
Wish I was closer to her (I'm 5hrs away) then I could spend her last days with her....