David is heading home with hospice - liver is failing
Comments
-
Priscilla
Re:
"......Friday I drove him back to MDA for hospitalization. Our surgeon
had the talk no one wants to hear. There were no more options. We
were told he was not a candidate for a liver transplant due to
the primary cancer. Short of a miracle it was time for palliative
care. It could be here at MDA or home..............................."
".......My only regret is we didn't get to MDA sooner before all the chemo
had damaged his liver and maybe his chances would have been better.... "
MD Anderson tells you there's nothing they can do, and you wish you
went there sooner?
Ok.
There are other places to go, other specialists to see, and other
options available..... why listen to MDA and sign into hospice?
I'm sure you like the people at MD, they really can be caring.
A very, very caring specialist sent another very caring specialist
in to see me while I was still in ICU/stepdown, to show me hospice
literature and hand me papers to sign.... Very caring!
That was in late 2006. I told them where they could file the
hospice applications....
The liver can regenerate itself, and it can get by temporarily with
a minimum of working organ. But the toxins can't continue to be
fed into the system because it overloads the liver.
You need to get other opinions. And you need to learn of other
options and alternatives. It's never too late, until it's over....
and it ain't over yet.
Give David my very best wishes for a full recovery.
John0 -
My heart aches
My heart aches as this news about David. Just so sad that you and him are going through this. Thank you for sharing this with us as this has to be so difficult for you. Thank you for being such a wonderful caregiver and support on this board. My thoughts and prayers to you and David and family.
Blessings be around all of you! Kim0 -
Thank you, Everyone!
We are home in San Antonio today and are overwhelmed by the wonderful support and kind words you all have written. We love that you took the time to write. I read every post to David and he was amazed at how caring everyone is. I have told him my support group couldn't be a better bunch of people. And John, David is Ned now. It is not any cancer that is killing him. It is that the liver just is barely functioning at this point. There is not a surgical option or a food or any medicine that we know of that can reverse this progression. But his own body can. It is not impossible but very improbable. We are told he will fade with many days good and some not. But if his body turns this around and the liver regenerates, we would be beyond grateful. And he is committed to do everything his body will allow him to do. That means eating and staying hydrated and doing as much exercise as he can do. We aren't giving up. But we are being realistic. He had a wonderful chance of beating this cancer, if only his liver had done what we all expected it would. But we aren't throwing in the towel! We will kick hospice to the curb if his liver function improves. And we will continue blood work every week to see if the numbers improve.
Again, I can't tell you how much we appreciate all of you. We are rejuvenated from you and from being with friends and family this weekend. We have no family in San Antonio so it was great to be together. And both grown kids, Mike and Amy, came home with us and will be with us for awhile. I will keep you updated.
Hugs and Healing,
Priscilla and David0 -
Priscilla, I am so sorry to
Priscilla, I am so sorry to hear this. This is so hard. I can only hope that you have some good days together still. I hope they can keep him out of pain and that you will have the help you need. Miracle I hope you get one. I hope for this everyday for my husband as well. My thoughts and love are with both of you. Paula0 -
Priscilla and David -pf78248 said:Thank you, Everyone!
We are home in San Antonio today and are overwhelmed by the wonderful support and kind words you all have written. We love that you took the time to write. I read every post to David and he was amazed at how caring everyone is. I have told him my support group couldn't be a better bunch of people. And John, David is Ned now. It is not any cancer that is killing him. It is that the liver just is barely functioning at this point. There is not a surgical option or a food or any medicine that we know of that can reverse this progression. But his own body can. It is not impossible but very improbable. We are told he will fade with many days good and some not. But if his body turns this around and the liver regenerates, we would be beyond grateful. And he is committed to do everything his body will allow him to do. That means eating and staying hydrated and doing as much exercise as he can do. We aren't giving up. But we are being realistic. He had a wonderful chance of beating this cancer, if only his liver had done what we all expected it would. But we aren't throwing in the towel! We will kick hospice to the curb if his liver function improves. And we will continue blood work every week to see if the numbers improve.
Again, I can't tell you how much we appreciate all of you. We are rejuvenated from you and from being with friends and family this weekend. We have no family in San Antonio so it was great to be together. And both grown kids, Mike and Amy, came home with us and will be with us for awhile. I will keep you updated.
Hugs and Healing,
Priscilla and David
The following URL may be of interest to you:
liver regeneration and TCM herbs
I had some serious liver problems for years, that are of no problem
to date.
If you are in the mood for doing research, there are many
web sites that can be of help regarding the regeneration
of the liver.
DO NOT spend big bux on commercialized and over-hyped
garbage. When it comes to cancer, there's a scam born every
minute, and those people have absolutely no conscience.
I prefer TCM to anything else, but there are other alternatives
that can be beneficial, too. You have got to eliminate as many
toxins first, and it's difficult to do, since every medicinal product
is a toxin that the liver has to remove.
David will do fine, with some effort and a change of venue...
The liver -can- regenerate, and it will, if you give it what it needs.
Get better! Do it. Get better.
John0 -
Thanks, JohnJohn23 said:Priscilla and David -
The following URL may be of interest to you:
liver regeneration and TCM herbs
I had some serious liver problems for years, that are of no problem
to date.
If you are in the mood for doing research, there are many
web sites that can be of help regarding the regeneration
of the liver.
DO NOT spend big bux on commercialized and over-hyped
garbage. When it comes to cancer, there's a scam born every
minute, and those people have absolutely no conscience.
I prefer TCM to anything else, but there are other alternatives
that can be beneficial, too. You have got to eliminate as many
toxins first, and it's difficult to do, since every medicinal product
is a toxin that the liver has to remove.
David will do fine, with some effort and a change of venue...
The liver -can- regenerate, and it will, if you give it what it needs.
Get better! Do it. Get better.
John
I will do some research for sure. It's a subject I know little about but what do we have to lose at this point. I will research and see how receptive David is. I appreciate your input. You are one smart man!
Manythanks,
Priscilla0 -
For you...
I am so sorry. No one can understand completely how you feel right now. It must be so difficult for the both of you. I want to leave you with a little something though...I do not know if you are a believer in God, but I felt compelled to write it anyway. You are in my prayers.
My mom's testimony.
I remember praying the night mom was in the hospital. I had just turned 14 years old (2004). Mom had stage 4 tonsil cancer that had metastasized to her left lymph nodes and reached to her carotid artery. They had given her 22 treatments of radiation and 2 types of chemo...which almost killed her. That night I had seen mom in the most severe pain I have ever seen anyone experience; no meds could touch it. She was burnt from the inside out (esophagus all the way up to her lips were sores) and she was on TPN through a port. She was deaf in one ear and her immune system was completely compromised. They prepared us for the worst. She was only 40 at the time. My dad was in total emotional shock...understandable. But there was something so disturbing about that pain...I could not stand it. I went home and begged God for His help. I just begged for her to have a peace that passes ALL peace...a peace like the sound of angels singing...a peace only HE could give her. I prayed for Jesus to hold her...to take her pain away. That night I gave it to Him. I found this letter from mom to a friend who was losing a father to cancer. Here is mom's version the story and her miracle:
_____________________________________________________
My dear friend,
I did not know (and still do not know who) that you recently lost someone so dear to you. I needed to send you a special message.
We have known each other for so very long and I believe with all I am that our Father is so faithful he puts people into our lives even if it is momentary to remind us that He is carrying us through our pain. I know death. I was so close to death in May 2004. I will tell you that I had people praying for me I did not know. I was in the hospital and had been septic and in so much pain for 4 days. Now, I want you to read what I am telling you and know for certain of God's comfort for His children at death.
I could not see very well and had lost almost all of my hearing due to an overload of chemo and radiation. Nothing was helping and I was being treated for severe burns. I drifted off and woke up to music in the next room over. I was so surprised to actually hear music playing. It was Christian music and I figured I couldn't place the songs due to the level of drugs being forced into me. Each song was so familiar and beautiful, Brad. It did not stop all night. People came into my room and I didn't even care. I was so comforted by the songs being sung and the music of my neighbor. I couldn't see one person from the other because they had to dress in scrubs anyway. I rested all night into the next day feeling less pain than I had in days. I was so glad that the Dr.'s finally found a combination of meds to help me. When Dani and Van insisted I open my eyes to listen to them, I was a little annoyed because I was resting so well. I had lost my voice due to vocal cord burns, but whispered to each of them that I could hear the beautiful songs. I asked what the names of the songs were beause they were so familiar and I knew they would know them. I could not hear them try to talk to me, but remember wondering why they looked so sad when I was obviously feeling better and more rested. For the next 4 days I rested and listened to the beautiful choir sing and the melodies flowed through the room and quieted my thoughts and pain. Time was not important and I was able to focus on the love of my family without having to struggle with words. I thanked God for my neighbor in the hospital and prayed the person would get better, but also secretly wanted them to stay since I could hear music for the first time in so long.
On the 8th morning, I awoke in tremendous pain with no more music. Doctors were in my room with Dani and Van. Nurses were poking and moving me. I hurt so badly and was upset I couldn't hear. I whispered to Dani and Van who were very very happy (which made me confused)...... did my neighbor leave? I miss the music I told them. I need better pain medicine again I explained tears streaming down my face. They were making arrangements for home health care so I could be transported home. I thought to myself that they were crazy! I was worse!
Brad, I was better.......there was no neighbor. There was no music from another room. I had been barely responsive and my medicine had not been changed or lessened.
I was given the chance to hear just a little of the sweet sounds of Heaven. Death does not hurt Brad. To everyone around me, it looked very painful and upsetting. To me, I felt better than I had in months and rested wonderfully to the songs of angels and saints singing. It was as clear as an ipod with headphones. Beautiful and clear. Comforting and soft. The melodies were as familiar as my husband and child. When God let me stay, the pain of life returned. I am so blessed to be here and felt The Holy Spirit telling me to explain death to you. I listen when Christ moves in me. I owe Him!
You can count on prayers of your friends and the Love of your Holy Father. Death, although it seems bad to those around us, does not hurt.
Love,
Alison
___________________________________________________
I hope to all who get the chance to read this understand: my prayer was answered. The next day after asking for mom to have peace, I walked in the room to her smiling. It was a strange smile and she could only whisper what she was hearing...beautiful music. The angels were singing. My Jesus is the Prince of Peace. Our heavenly Father is with you every second...even on death's door. My mom lived. She survived. I truly believe she was meant to share her miracle and help others who are going through such difficult times. God is with you. As you walk through this valley, do not be afraid. He is with you.
Dani0 -
BelieveDLS5419 said:For you...
I am so sorry. No one can understand completely how you feel right now. It must be so difficult for the both of you. I want to leave you with a little something though...I do not know if you are a believer in God, but I felt compelled to write it anyway. You are in my prayers.
My mom's testimony.
I remember praying the night mom was in the hospital. I had just turned 14 years old (2004). Mom had stage 4 tonsil cancer that had metastasized to her left lymph nodes and reached to her carotid artery. They had given her 22 treatments of radiation and 2 types of chemo...which almost killed her. That night I had seen mom in the most severe pain I have ever seen anyone experience; no meds could touch it. She was burnt from the inside out (esophagus all the way up to her lips were sores) and she was on TPN through a port. She was deaf in one ear and her immune system was completely compromised. They prepared us for the worst. She was only 40 at the time. My dad was in total emotional shock...understandable. But there was something so disturbing about that pain...I could not stand it. I went home and begged God for His help. I just begged for her to have a peace that passes ALL peace...a peace like the sound of angels singing...a peace only HE could give her. I prayed for Jesus to hold her...to take her pain away. That night I gave it to Him. I found this letter from mom to a friend who was losing a father to cancer. Here is mom's version the story and her miracle:
_____________________________________________________
My dear friend,
I did not know (and still do not know who) that you recently lost someone so dear to you. I needed to send you a special message.
We have known each other for so very long and I believe with all I am that our Father is so faithful he puts people into our lives even if it is momentary to remind us that He is carrying us through our pain. I know death. I was so close to death in May 2004. I will tell you that I had people praying for me I did not know. I was in the hospital and had been septic and in so much pain for 4 days. Now, I want you to read what I am telling you and know for certain of God's comfort for His children at death.
I could not see very well and had lost almost all of my hearing due to an overload of chemo and radiation. Nothing was helping and I was being treated for severe burns. I drifted off and woke up to music in the next room over. I was so surprised to actually hear music playing. It was Christian music and I figured I couldn't place the songs due to the level of drugs being forced into me. Each song was so familiar and beautiful, Brad. It did not stop all night. People came into my room and I didn't even care. I was so comforted by the songs being sung and the music of my neighbor. I couldn't see one person from the other because they had to dress in scrubs anyway. I rested all night into the next day feeling less pain than I had in days. I was so glad that the Dr.'s finally found a combination of meds to help me. When Dani and Van insisted I open my eyes to listen to them, I was a little annoyed because I was resting so well. I had lost my voice due to vocal cord burns, but whispered to each of them that I could hear the beautiful songs. I asked what the names of the songs were beause they were so familiar and I knew they would know them. I could not hear them try to talk to me, but remember wondering why they looked so sad when I was obviously feeling better and more rested. For the next 4 days I rested and listened to the beautiful choir sing and the melodies flowed through the room and quieted my thoughts and pain. Time was not important and I was able to focus on the love of my family without having to struggle with words. I thanked God for my neighbor in the hospital and prayed the person would get better, but also secretly wanted them to stay since I could hear music for the first time in so long.
On the 8th morning, I awoke in tremendous pain with no more music. Doctors were in my room with Dani and Van. Nurses were poking and moving me. I hurt so badly and was upset I couldn't hear. I whispered to Dani and Van who were very very happy (which made me confused)...... did my neighbor leave? I miss the music I told them. I need better pain medicine again I explained tears streaming down my face. They were making arrangements for home health care so I could be transported home. I thought to myself that they were crazy! I was worse!
Brad, I was better.......there was no neighbor. There was no music from another room. I had been barely responsive and my medicine had not been changed or lessened.
I was given the chance to hear just a little of the sweet sounds of Heaven. Death does not hurt Brad. To everyone around me, it looked very painful and upsetting. To me, I felt better than I had in months and rested wonderfully to the songs of angels and saints singing. It was as clear as an ipod with headphones. Beautiful and clear. Comforting and soft. The melodies were as familiar as my husband and child. When God let me stay, the pain of life returned. I am so blessed to be here and felt The Holy Spirit telling me to explain death to you. I listen when Christ moves in me. I owe Him!
You can count on prayers of your friends and the Love of your Holy Father. Death, although it seems bad to those around us, does not hurt.
Love,
Alison
___________________________________________________
I hope to all who get the chance to read this understand: my prayer was answered. The next day after asking for mom to have peace, I walked in the room to her smiling. It was a strange smile and she could only whisper what she was hearing...beautiful music. The angels were singing. My Jesus is the Prince of Peace. Our heavenly Father is with you every second...even on death's door. My mom lived. She survived. I truly believe she was meant to share her miracle and help others who are going through such difficult times. God is with you. As you walk through this valley, do not be afraid. He is with you.
Dani
So sorry to hear you are going through this difficult time, have faith that we will be together once again! Hugs to you and yours!
I believe!0 -
God bless, thinking of you.dorookie said:Prayers
My thoughts and prayers are with both of you..I pray God watches over all of your family.
God Bless
Beth
God bless, thinking of you. I don't know you, but I can feel the pain just by reading your post. . thinking of you and your family.0 -
How is David doing?
I'm glad that family is there helping you out and being there for you.
Just want you to know we haven't forgotten about you and are here thinking, praying and spiritually holding your hand.0 -
Listen to the othersherdizziness said:How is David doing?
I'm glad that family is there helping you out and being there for you.
Just want you to know we haven't forgotten about you and are here thinking, praying and spiritually holding your hand.
Hear what they have written to you and know that I am praying for God's will to be done.
And hoping that His will is healing your David. I surely hope that for you and your family. Know that you will remain in our thoughts and prayers.
Sandy0
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