David still in hospice but hanging on

2

Comments

  • Paula G.
    Paula G. Member Posts: 596
    Sorry to hear this about
    Sorry to hear this about David. I haven't been on the board much either. I hope you will be ok. My thoughts are with you both and your family. Love Paula
  • pf78248
    pf78248 Member Posts: 209
    jscho said:

    ursodiol
    Hi Priscilla, one thing you may want to ask about is the possibility of off-label use of ursodiol (ursodeoxycholic acid), which is a bile acid used to increase the fluidity of bile to help it flow through constrictions. It does so by inhibiting an enzyme involved in cholesterol production. It also seems to activate liver cells by binding to a specific cell receptor in liver cells to release bicarbonate, which can help with the build-up of toxic bile acids.

    For info on urso, see: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ursodiol

    Hope this is useful,
    Jeremy

    Thanks, Jeremy
    David has been on that drug before for quite sometime. Tomorrow he is five months exactly from liver resection. He has fought so hard and done almost everything possible but nothing is working. Thanks for bringing it up. The description was familiar but not the name. He took it under the brand name Actigal.. Wish it had worked better.

    Hugs and Healing,
    Priscilla
  • pf78248
    pf78248 Member Posts: 209

    Dear Priscillia
    Dear Priscillia,

    You are a woman of grace. To read how you and David are going through this very difficult time with so much love and warmth for each other shows so much about the two of you. I will continue to pray that you have beautiful time together.

    Aloha,
    Kathleen

    Thanks, Kathleen
    I feel you are a woman of grace extraordinaire! What would we do without God with us to help navigate these stormy seas? My best to you and your family. I pray **** beats this disease. Your beautiful family needs him!

    Love
    Priscilla
  • Sundanceh
    Sundanceh Member Posts: 4,392 Member
    Priscilla
    Your post has me at a loss for words. If only I could be as brave as you and David are. I know you've been there every step of the way and are well versed in all of the options or non-options available, so I take your word verbatim with what you tell us.

    It's wonderful that you have wonderful friends and family around you - that must be really a blessing for you.

    I don't want to think about anything past this - just hurts too badly.

    You are a great comfort and a source of inspiration for this board and we're proud to have you here. It's folks like you who are teaching me what it's all about every day that I logon here.

    -Craig
  • John23
    John23 Member Posts: 2,122 Member
    pf78248 said:

    Thanks, John, for your support and ideas
    You are so gracious and caring and I appreciate all your advice. Unfortunately, the problem with his liver is really mechanical. The remaining bile duct is simply clogged, like an artery does. Usually a stent can fix that but they tried and it didn't work. I was told there was nothing that could be done except a transplant which he isn't eligible for. I have done a lot of research and talked to several doctors and every opinion is the same. He is in hospice care but at home with me. I would never put him in a facility.

    After we came home on hospice, I discussed your suggestion then to seek out alternatives. He was firmly against it. So thanks again,John. I think you have great ideas and we need you on this board. So don't get discouraged when others don't always agree. Each case is so different and whatever you are doing has been so good for you


    Thanks for caring,
    Priscilla

    Priscilla


    I won't dwell on this, or try to insist, but I would strongly suggest that
    you read some info that's freely available: Google: Bile duct blockage

    I have been given herbal broths that clear kidney stones within minutes.
    I had one stone that the ER said must be operated on.... gone with herbs.

    The science has been very good to me, and my wife, for over the 7 years
    that we've been using it.

    It isn't expensive, and although nothing is guaranteed, there is nothing
    to lose by trying.

    When western medicine gives up, there should be a power within us
    to drive harder down some other path.

    I really hate to see David continue to rely on the opinions of western medicine,
    after it's finally brought him to the end of it's ability to help.

    There -are- other options; TCM is one -very- viable one.

    I wish David the very best health.

    Take care.


    John
  • angelsbaby
    angelsbaby Member Posts: 1,165 Member
    Sundanceh said:

    Priscilla
    Your post has me at a loss for words. If only I could be as brave as you and David are. I know you've been there every step of the way and are well versed in all of the options or non-options available, so I take your word verbatim with what you tell us.

    It's wonderful that you have wonderful friends and family around you - that must be really a blessing for you.

    I don't want to think about anything past this - just hurts too badly.

    You are a great comfort and a source of inspiration for this board and we're proud to have you here. It's folks like you who are teaching me what it's all about every day that I logon here.

    -Craig

    Priscilla
    Strength to you and your husband.In this most difficult time my thoughts and prayers are with you both.
    I am sorry


    michelle
  • Jaylo969
    Jaylo969 Member Posts: 824 Member

    Priscilla
    Strength to you and your husband.In this most difficult time my thoughts and prayers are with you both.
    I am sorry


    michelle

    Priscilla
    My thoughts and prayers are with you and your dear husband.

    -Pat
  • jscho
    jscho Member Posts: 62
    pf78248 said:

    Thanks, Jeremy
    David has been on that drug before for quite sometime. Tomorrow he is five months exactly from liver resection. He has fought so hard and done almost everything possible but nothing is working. Thanks for bringing it up. The description was familiar but not the name. He took it under the brand name Actigal.. Wish it had worked better.

    Hugs and Healing,
    Priscilla

    Sorry to hear it didn't
    Sorry to hear it didn't clear things up more. I've heard it often takes awhile to work, so maybe the drug can still help (assuming he's still taking it).

    Bile ducts are tricky. Please know I'm thinking of you and hoping for the best.

    Jeremy
  • Aud
    Aud Member Posts: 479 Member
    Priscilla
    you and David are in my thoughts and prayers. Holding you both in the Light for healing, hope, and peace.
    Love to you both,
    Audrey
  • HollyID
    HollyID Member Posts: 946 Member
    Wishing and praying for
    Wishing and praying for David's healing.

    What an inspiration you are!
  • SandyL
    SandyL Member Posts: 218
    HollyID said:

    Wishing and praying for
    Wishing and praying for David's healing.

    What an inspiration you are!

    Priscilla'
    My deepest and most sincere feelings of anger are beginning this morning already. So many of my friends on this site have been getting bad news it really messes with ones beliefs. I want you to know that you and your family are being thought about and prayed for. God Bless.....
    Sandy
  • pepebcn
    pepebcn Member Posts: 6,331 Member
    SandyL said:

    Priscilla'
    My deepest and most sincere feelings of anger are beginning this morning already. So many of my friends on this site have been getting bad news it really messes with ones beliefs. I want you to know that you and your family are being thought about and prayed for. God Bless.....
    Sandy

    Priscilla how is David doing today?
    Keep us updated please!
    Best!
  • pf78248
    pf78248 Member Posts: 209
    pepebcn said:

    Priscilla how is David doing today?
    Keep us updated please!
    Best!

    Not doing too well
    Pepe,

    Thanks for asking. Today marks the five month anniversary of his liver resection and he is really getting tired. He has confusion and sleeps so much. He is in very little pain, for that we are blessed. I believe his days are getting very numbered and I cherish everyday with him. I hope he holds on till everyone gets to Texas to see him. You are so kind to ask. I wish his resection had been a success and I am glad you got over your days of liver failure. His remaining liver remnant was in bad shape and the blocked bile duct complicated it even more.

    Keep posting! This is great group. It's hard to lose our loved ones on this board. A very sad day with Donna's passing. Keep in touch!

    Hugs and Healing,
    Priscilla
  • pepebcn
    pepebcn Member Posts: 6,331 Member
    pf78248 said:

    Not doing too well
    Pepe,

    Thanks for asking. Today marks the five month anniversary of his liver resection and he is really getting tired. He has confusion and sleeps so much. He is in very little pain, for that we are blessed. I believe his days are getting very numbered and I cherish everyday with him. I hope he holds on till everyone gets to Texas to see him. You are so kind to ask. I wish his resection had been a success and I am glad you got over your days of liver failure. His remaining liver remnant was in bad shape and the blocked bile duct complicated it even more.

    Keep posting! This is great group. It's hard to lose our loved ones on this board. A very sad day with Donna's passing. Keep in touch!

    Hugs and Healing,
    Priscilla

    So sorry Priscilla l expected good news from you today.

    Just keep your strength l pray for it and for David!
    Keep us informed.
    God bless you .
    Pepe.
    Barcelona.
  • pepebcn
    pepebcn Member Posts: 6,331 Member
    pepebcn said:

    So sorry Priscilla l expected good news from you today.

    Just keep your strength l pray for it and for David!
    Keep us informed.
    God bless you .
    Pepe.
    Barcelona.

    Priscilla ,
    lm thinking about you and David, how the things are?
    Hope better!
    Send you my prayers.
    Pepe!
  • pepebcn
    pepebcn Member Posts: 6,331 Member
    pepebcn said:

    So sorry Priscilla l expected good news from you today.

    Just keep your strength l pray for it and for David!
    Keep us informed.
    God bless you .
    Pepe.
    Barcelona.

    Priscilla ,
    lm thinking about you and David, how the things are?
    Hope better!
    Send you my prayers.
    Pepe!
  • pf78248
    pf78248 Member Posts: 209
    pepebcn said:

    Priscilla ,
    lm thinking about you and David, how the things are?
    Hope better!
    Send you my prayers.
    Pepe!

    Thanks, Pepe
    David is now surrounded by his entire family except our daughter in law who will be here soon. Most of his friends have been here off and on. And our church family has been wonderful

    As I write, I am at his bedside with him resting comfortably. We had a good cry together this morning. He knows the end is near and his biggest issue is the confusion that comes with hepatic encephalopathy. That is hard to watch.

    You are so good to ask about him. I hope you are doing ok and fighting your cancer as hard as you can. Thank you again for your kindness.

    Hugs and Healing,
    Priscilla
  • lisa42
    lisa42 Member Posts: 3,625 Member
    Priscilla
    Hi Priscilla,

    I'm sorry the end seems to be near for David- how very, very difficult.
    My thoughts and prayers are with and for you and your family right now.
    Take care and God bless and keep you during this time.

    Lisa
  • pepebcn
    pepebcn Member Posts: 6,331 Member
    lisa42 said:

    Priscilla
    Hi Priscilla,

    I'm sorry the end seems to be near for David- how very, very difficult.
    My thoughts and prayers are with and for you and your family right now.
    Take care and God bless and keep you during this time.

    Lisa

    l feel so sorry Priscila
    There are not words in this moments , the only console is that you are all together with him ,and it seems no pain ,
    l Send my best wishes to you and for all your wonderful family.
    Take care of you too.
    Pepe .
  • Kathryn_in_MN
    Kathryn_in_MN Member Posts: 1,252 Member
    pf78248 said:

    Thanks, Pepe
    David is now surrounded by his entire family except our daughter in law who will be here soon. Most of his friends have been here off and on. And our church family has been wonderful

    As I write, I am at his bedside with him resting comfortably. We had a good cry together this morning. He knows the end is near and his biggest issue is the confusion that comes with hepatic encephalopathy. That is hard to watch.

    You are so good to ask about him. I hope you are doing ok and fighting your cancer as hard as you can. Thank you again for your kindness.

    Hugs and Healing,
    Priscilla

    Nice that the family is all there
    I'm glad to hear the family is all there now, and that friends have come by. As much as cancer sucks, it does bring one gift - time. In most cases we know the end is coming and can have a chance to say goodbye, rather than getting a phone call or knock on the door that puts us in shock. I'm not sure it makes saying goodbye any easier, but it does away with the "I only wish I got the chance to say goodbye" guilt.

    I hope your family can pull strength from each other to get through these difficult days, and that David continues to be comfortable without much pain.