swelling in legs and ankles

samsdaughter
samsdaughter Member Posts: 2
edited March 2014 in Colorectal Cancer #1
Hello. I'm new to this site. My father is 76 years old and has just been diagnosed with colon cancer. We went in for a surgical consultation to remove the mass and found out that he now has 10 large tumors in his liver and some small spots on his lungs. We are still reeling from the shock of it all. We are waiting for a call from the oncologist to begin chemotherapy. In the mean time, my father's right ankle and top of his foot is very swollen. The swelling has moved from his calf to his ankle and foot. He had an ultrasound done to rule out a blood clot. They told him that his lymph notes were swollen. What does this mean? Does anyone know? Is it common? This was the one appointment I did not go with him to, because I thought it would just be a routine x-ray. I really regret it now. Being so new with this, I would appreciate any advice or information. Thank you.
Cindy

Comments

  • spongebob
    spongebob Member Posts: 2,565 Member
    #2
    Good morning, Cindy -

    When cancer cells get into people's lymph nodes - which are located throughout the body - they react to the invading cells. One way they react is by swelling with fluid. Since your dad has cancer in his liver and lungs it is quite possible that it got there by way of his lymphatic system - the lymphatic system can sort of act as a highway for the cancer cells to travel along. Chemotherapy works to kill the cancer cells that are on that highway and in various parts of your dad's body.

    I hope this helps.

    Welcome to our little group (that is, unfortunately, getting bigger all the time). Wish you didn't have to be here, but we're glad you are. You are doing a wonderful thing for your dad by seeking out information and support.

    Keeping you both in my thoughts and prayers.

    - SpongeBob
  • lfondots63
    lfondots63 Member Posts: 818 Member
    #3
    Hi Cindy,

    I just wanted to send virtual HUGS to you and your family. It is so hard to see our parents sick when we think of them as "super humans". I have a dad who just started chemo. Go with your parents to the appts. Unfortunately at that age they either don't remember some things or "convienently" forget what they are told because they just "don't want to know". Did you or your dad call the onc and tell them about the swelling? They might put him on a type of lasix to help get rid of fluids or prescribe something else. Good luck and tell us how it goes.

    Lisa
  • samsdaughter
    samsdaughter Member Posts: 2
    #4
    thank you for the reply SpongeBob and Lisa! My dad read them and seemed comforted by it. I'm waiting for a call from his primary to get him in for an x-ray to rule out an infection. There is no blood clot, so I guess that is good news. Thanks for your thoughts and prayers. We really need them!
  • KathiM
    KathiM Member Posts: 8,028 Member
    #5
    spongebob said:

    Good morning, Cindy -

    When cancer cells get into people's lymph nodes - which are located throughout the body - they react to the invading cells. One way they react is by swelling with fluid. Since your dad has cancer in his liver and lungs it is quite possible that it got there by way of his lymphatic system - the lymphatic system can sort of act as a highway for the cancer cells to travel along. Chemotherapy works to kill the cancer cells that are on that highway and in various parts of your dad's body.

    I hope this helps.

    Welcome to our little group (that is, unfortunately, getting bigger all the time). Wish you didn't have to be here, but we're glad you are. You are doing a wonderful thing for your dad by seeking out information and support.

    Keeping you both in my thoughts and prayers.

    - SpongeBob

    Hey, dad....permission to LEAVE the group????

    Or is it 'once a semi- always a semi'?

    Hugs, Kathi

Discussion Boards