End-Stage Liver Cancer

[DadsHelper]

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.

[debs2011]

I have a 23 year old friend who has gastric cancer that was found to have mestatised to the liver, adrenal glands, ovaries & bones in the spinal region on Feb 5 2011. She is home with us now, but she has jaundice, fluid retaining in the stomach, swollen feet, itches all the time and forgets things and sometime says things that aren't real. For the past 2 days she has lost her appetite & will eat a few spoon in the morning but nothing else. She hasn't gotten out of bed except to go to th ebathroom (with assistance). I wonder how much longer she has & what to expect in the time left.

[allmymarbles]

Chemotherapy does not help with liver cancer.

[dreamgazr]

My beloved has stage 4 liver cancer. The situation is this, do to family obligations I needed to move from where he lives (which is very difficult being as far away as I am). Upon returning from a recent visit to see and take care of him, the information or lack of from him is so vague. He mentioned eventually becomming delusional (sp?) which is concerning as he is alone most of the time. He has family (two grown sons) close by, but from what I understand don't really come by too often. His liver/abdomen is distending, has nausea which he takes meds for, has major fatigue. The one great thing is his spirit! I am returning next week for another care visit and to just be with him and share the laughter. I feel its nearing the end...can anyone share any more info on what could occur sypmtom wise? Thanks for reading/sharing.  

[GeezLouize75]

I feel for you and her.  My sister also started sleeping alot at the end.  My sister signed up with hospice.  She was given morphine for pain and several weeks later she passed peacefully in her sleep.  She had also developed jaundice.  Just be with your wife and try to not let her see your pain.  God Bless you and your Wife. God is with you both.

[Gynob001]

My wife had colorectal cancer 8 years back and last year she had a reccurrence and it has spread to liver and lung. After initial chemotherapy, she stopped responding. yesterday she had an unsuccessful SIRT provedure. she is weak, sleeps a lot and is slowly dying in front of me. We have been married for 36 years. While she doesn't have pain, she just developed symptoms of jaundice. I don't know what to do or expect.

[GeezLouize75]

I would get to my sister as soon as possible if you want to see her before she passes.  My sister (now passed) had stage IV Rectal cancer and she began retaining the ascites fluid and within a few weeks, she was gone.  She had a drain put in and we drained it but after 3 weeks of that, she died.  Good Luck to you and your family and God Bless.