New Member - Father was diagnosed with cancer

jasonl
jasonl Member Posts: 3
Hi All,

Recently it was confirmed through an abdomen CT scan and colonoscopy that my father had a tumor in the Cecum, along with lymph node enlargement and possible metastasis at the lungs. We've just done a biopsy on Tuesday and we're currently awaiting the pathology report. We will be speaking with the oncologist on this coming tuesday. From what I read from the CT scan things are not looking up as it all seems fairly late stage.

That said, while I haven't givent up, I plan on making the most of my time with my father. This weekend I play on going on a hike with my father, mother, and my girlfriend. One thing I wanted to ask you all was how streneous a hike could/should my father take? Also, what type of foods would be ideal for him? I've been told a mixed bag of information. Low salt/preservatives, low sugar?

I haven't been able to find any dietary information for cancer patients who have yet to start any form of treatment.

Comments

  • jasonl
    jasonl Member Posts: 3
    Thanks in advance for any
    Thanks in advance for any reply guys.


    Jason
  • Coppercent
    Coppercent Member Posts: 158
    Sorry about your father's diagnosis.
    I will tell you what my oncologist told me when we had our first meeting. He said to maintain my current activities and keep my same daily routine. He said if I wasn't exercising to start now and excercise at least an hour a day and to continue my exercise and daily schedule through chemo. He explained the more active I was the less fatique I would feel and he was right on the money on that advice. I went through a lot of surgeries/chemo/and radiation in a 9 month period and I never had fatigue. My exercise cheerleaders kept me on schedule on the days that I thought maybe rest would be better but I always felt so much better after the exercise.

    As for eating, his suggestion was to make sure I was eating healthy but no specific dietary additions or restrictions. After my surgury, my surgeon recommendeded a low residue diet while I was healing and a diet loaded in protien for healing. But you will find out different doctors have different recommendations.

    Good luck! I think you will feel so much better after meeting with the oncologist and you have a plan in place. Nice to see that your father has a son that will be a great support system for him.
  • here4lfe
    here4lfe Member Posts: 306 Member
    He can do what he normally does
    As long as it's not a forced march! Everyone is an individual, but my wife continued her normal activities, diet (which was well balanced anyway) and people would not know she was in treatment unless we told them.

    Cancer treatment is a long process, even late stage.

    Best to you and your Dad.
  • Annabelle41415
    Annabelle41415 Member Posts: 6,742 Member
    Sorry
    So sorry to hear of your father's diagnosis. As far as activities, if he feels up to hiking let him, especially if this isn't the first time he's done it. Right now he is going to want to stick to as much "normal" as he can because getting this diagnosis is putting him in a tail spin. He will have months worth of doctor's appointments and schedules to contend with in the near future so let him enjoy this time. Also, because he has mets doesn't mean that he won't be around here for years to come. We've come a long way in research and there are so many more options out there now. Enjoy your time together and the hike.

    Kim
  • jasonl
    jasonl Member Posts: 3

    Sorry
    So sorry to hear of your father's diagnosis. As far as activities, if he feels up to hiking let him, especially if this isn't the first time he's done it. Right now he is going to want to stick to as much "normal" as he can because getting this diagnosis is putting him in a tail spin. He will have months worth of doctor's appointments and schedules to contend with in the near future so let him enjoy this time. Also, because he has mets doesn't mean that he won't be around here for years to come. We've come a long way in research and there are so many more options out there now. Enjoy your time together and the hike.

    Kim

    Thanks everyone!
    Hi again all,

    So we just came back from speaking with the oncologist today. They confirmed that he's in stage 4 and is basically incurable and they'll have to rely on chemo to manage the cancer/symptoms. They've got him down for a portacath for around the next week and hopefully chemotherapy will start the week after. In the mean time my mother, myself and my girlfriend are trying to pull whatever strings we might have to speed up the process.

    With regards to the hike, everything went fairly well when we started. However we had to stop and turn around cause it turned out my mom wasn't able to do the full hike. I think out of everyone my father's the most regularly active. Hopefully a miracle happens once chemo starts.

    Thanks again everyone,

    Jason.
  • Annabelle41415
    Annabelle41415 Member Posts: 6,742 Member
    Update
    Thank you for update and sorry to hear about your father. Wishing for good treatment results and if you aren't satisfied with his doctor's protocol get a second opinion and any doctor would welcome a second opinion if they are any kind of doctor. Sorry to hear you didn't make it on the hike but at least you all got out there and tried. Maybe you could all do something less strenuous that your mother and father could do too. Keep us informed as to how your dad is doing.

    Kim
  • geotina
    geotina Member Posts: 2,111 Member
    Jason:
    Sorry your Dad is Stage IV. The docs have to be honest with their patients. Now dont' go giving up quite so easy. My George was diagnosed in March, 2009, very advanced Stage IV, massive mets to liver and lungs. In fact this year our family doc told George that he didn't think he would be around to see Christmas 2009. Well, here we are, August, 2012 and George continues to amaze everyone. George's quality of life is pretty good and has been. In fact it was just this past May that he retired. Does he have some bad days, you bet I won't lie to you but this past year the bad days centered more around side effects (like diarrhea, fatigue) than the cancer. He has never taken a pain pill or sleeping pill yet. Now, could this turn around for my George and things worsen, of course, but our perspective on this is we will worry when we get there. Some days your dad will be able to do more than others so just watch and step in and do stuff for your parents if needed. The first few chemo sessions will be hard and then hopefully he will settle into the routine.

    Best wishes - Tina