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End-Stage Liver Cancer
My father is 78. He was diagnosed with prostate cancer 6 years ago and treated it with radiation. The cancer reappeared a few years later as colon cancer and he had a section of his colon and his gall bladder removed. About a year ago the cancer surfaced again, this time as liver cancer with spots detected in his stomach and lungs as well. We have known for some time that the cancer is terminal. My dad has been on chemo. until recently, in hopes of extending his life.
Last week he was feeling particularly weak and went to his doctor. His doctor detected jaundice and further tests revealed that the cancer has progressed throughout his liver and lungs. He has begun to retain water and is sleeping more. I understand that these are symptoms of liver failure. The doctors told us that there is nothing more they can do and estimate he has only a few weeks left. They have stopped all medications (except for nausea, pain, and diarretic meds).
We took my father home and immediately setup hospice care for him. I'm trying to learn what we can expect over the next few weeks so that I can help my family prepare for it and make my father as comfortable as possible for as long as we're blessed to have him. Can anyone help guide me on what we can expect to happen as this progresses? I've read about the possibility of the loss of cognitive function, random hand movement, and even water seeping from body tissues. But all that the doctors have told us is that my father will sleep more and more until he eventually falls asleep and never wakes up. While that's a comforting thought, I suspect the reality is somewhat different (I lost someone to luekemia and lymphoma, and know what that's like). Any help or pointers to websites would be appreciated.
Thank you.
Last week he was feeling particularly weak and went to his doctor. His doctor detected jaundice and further tests revealed that the cancer has progressed throughout his liver and lungs. He has begun to retain water and is sleeping more. I understand that these are symptoms of liver failure. The doctors told us that there is nothing more they can do and estimate he has only a few weeks left. They have stopped all medications (except for nausea, pain, and diarretic meds).
We took my father home and immediately setup hospice care for him. I'm trying to learn what we can expect over the next few weeks so that I can help my family prepare for it and make my father as comfortable as possible for as long as we're blessed to have him. Can anyone help guide me on what we can expect to happen as this progresses? I've read about the possibility of the loss of cognitive function, random hand movement, and even water seeping from body tissues. But all that the doctors have told us is that my father will sleep more and more until he eventually falls asleep and never wakes up. While that's a comforting thought, I suspect the reality is somewhat different (I lost someone to luekemia and lymphoma, and know what that's like). Any help or pointers to websites would be appreciated.
Thank you.
This site has been a godsend to me. My stepdaughter was diagnosed with Stage 4 colon cancer 3 years ago. She had her colon removed early, chemo was started to hopefully prolong her life, her diagnosises was terminal from the beginning. In addition she is a drug addict. She removed all family members from knowing the full details; she has been in the hospital for the past four weeks and it doesn't look good. She is not jaundiced yet, little appetite, sleeping alot and has been taken off all drip pain meds -- is on patches. retained lots of fluid, can't do stents, has two bladder bags and she is still in denial. The doctor told her yesterday that chemo is not an option anymore and recommended hospice -- she is livid and wants another doctor for a second opinion. I hate to have her suffer in so much pain---
I know it has been awhile since your post.My husband will be 45 in 2 wks. He has Leomyosarcoma and had surgery in 2009. The cancer came back in his liver and other areas. He has not been able to work since last August and since christmas has been declining quickly. We have 5 children the oldest is 23 and the youngest 4. It is so difficult to watch him waste away as he has always been a very strong man. This time of waiting is very long and painful. the past week his bowel movements have turned white and urine dark. I don't know how much longer he has it is hard also to watch his kind and loving personality change. He seems very irritated and angry sometimes. I miss his smile. sometimes i wish this was over but I don't want a minute to go by without him.
I agree. Going fast seems better than watching your loved one decline day after day and there's nothing you can do. My husband was diagnosed with primary liver cancer 13 months ago. Has been on hopice care for the past 7 months.
My husband has was told 19 October he had stomach cancer, up until last week he was down for chemo. We have since found out it is very aggressive and his spread to his lungs, liver and muscle. He is only 31 and was well in to his fitness. He went downhill from September and has been told he only has a few weeks. Last August 2010 he was told it was just an ulcer. I am in shock and just completely heartbroken. Its all so cruel.
My mother was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in May 2011. I have one brother and two sisters and I am the youngest daughter. The doctor told all of us at the appointment that she had 3 to 6 months to live. I decided to quit my job and take care of her full time and we were to take one night a week and one weekend a month. It ended up being me most of the time.
We are now into November next week is Thanksgiving and she is still hanging on. I really don't understand how. She has hospice here twice a week I really don't like some of the nurses I wish they would let you choose one of your choice because I liked one of them so far and I wanted her for my mom all the time but she advised me that is not allowed. My mother has not ate a thing for over 6 weeks now she sleeps all the time. I keep track of how much she drinks its only a half a cup of liquid per day if that. I don't know how she can even get up but she does she moves around she talks sometimes out of her head talks about my father alot and he has been dead for over 6 years. She calls me all kinds of names. My older sisters are tired of helping they think the doctor misdiagnosed her. I hate that they are putting all of the work on me. I have two teenage daughters that I need to care for but they don't seem to care. They say I don't like her anymore she will not take a bath and she doesnt care what she looks like. I am so lost right now and wonder why she still has any energy at all and what her body is living on if she is in the last stages it sure doesnt seem like it except for the not eating and not drinking. Its very frustrating to all of us but especially me. Hospice just keeps telling me oh she is doing good I just want to know its hard day after day not knowing I found this site and glad to hear some signs as hospice wont tell me anything and will not be open and honest with me they are so worried about her eating and having a bowel movement if I hear that one more time I am gonna scream. I just wish I knew because it is hard sitting her day in and day out and she seems fine but they tell me she is dieing. Thanks for listening if anyone can help me with some advise please do.
Jute
We are now into November next week is Thanksgiving and she is still hanging on. I really don't understand how. She has hospice here twice a week I really don't like some of the nurses I wish they would let you choose one of your choice because I liked one of them so far and I wanted her for my mom all the time but she advised me that is not allowed. My mother has not ate a thing for over 6 weeks now she sleeps all the time. I keep track of how much she drinks its only a half a cup of liquid per day if that. I don't know how she can even get up but she does she moves around she talks sometimes out of her head talks about my father alot and he has been dead for over 6 years. She calls me all kinds of names. My older sisters are tired of helping they think the doctor misdiagnosed her. I hate that they are putting all of the work on me. I have two teenage daughters that I need to care for but they don't seem to care. They say I don't like her anymore she will not take a bath and she doesnt care what she looks like. I am so lost right now and wonder why she still has any energy at all and what her body is living on if she is in the last stages it sure doesnt seem like it except for the not eating and not drinking. Its very frustrating to all of us but especially me. Hospice just keeps telling me oh she is doing good I just want to know its hard day after day not knowing I found this site and glad to hear some signs as hospice wont tell me anything and will not be open and honest with me they are so worried about her eating and having a bowel movement if I hear that one more time I am gonna scream. I just wish I knew because it is hard sitting her day in and day out and she seems fine but they tell me she is dieing. Thanks for listening if anyone can help me with some advise please do.
Jute
My name is Angie I live in Palm beach county Florida.My husband Billy who is 55 got a liver transplant in march 2007 at Jackson memorial Hospital in Miami.He s had a couple of roadblocks but always pulled through.We went for a check up in Miami the end of September and we were told his liver was starting to fail...we know that it was starting to show some scarring..but we were kind of shocked.they do not give a second liver anymore especially if its due to cirrohsis.I had no idea that it would start to fail so soon,,the doctors said he s been pretty lucky they have seen a liver start to reject after 3 months..he has hep c and that always stays in your blood they say..I just dont know how long he can survive know that its starting to fail....I have read all the comments here and it helps to know there are many people out there with similar stories....thanks for listening or reading lol :)
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