Adenocarcinoma w/ Unknown Primary Location

bobbilovesben

My Dad was recently diagnosed with adenocarcinoma in November. This all started when he experienced fluid buildup in his abdominal cavity which lead to malignant ascites. This ascites (fluid buildup) has stemmed from the adenocarcinoma (cancerous mucus producing gland). Despite numerous tests and scans to locate the primary location (gland causing the ascites), we've been unsuccessful however; what we do know is that due to the fluid buildup, they've been able to detect cancer cells spread throughout his abdominal area. Good news is, all of his organs are in great health according to hospital medical staff.

Since his diagnosis, he has gone in for weekly fluid drains from the abdominal cavity. He's been unable to eat for a number of weeks so, they hospitalized him so they could feed and monitor him. They were hoping to get his nutrition up so he could be stronger before they started chemo. Despite their efforts to help get him healthy, he gets sick about every hour. They started him on chemo last week. I don't recall the name of it but it's a treatment that makes them sensitive to cold temperatures. He completed that round of treatment last Wednesday and tonight, he has a high fever of 102. The hospital says he has an infection. They've done a scan to determine the cause and location of the infection but, we're waiting on results.

I'm trying to be positive and prevent the " what if " thoughts but, I often find myself in that zone. You see, this is his third battle with cancer. He had prostate cancer years ago. After his first diagnosis and treatment, the cancer returned. After his second diagnosis and treatment, we've been cancer free for a number of years. Now, we're living out our worst fear. I'm frustrated because the medical staff couldn't find the primary location of the cancer. Then, they can't determine why he keeps getting sick every hour. Now, they don't know where the infection is. I can't help but pray to God, " give them the knowledge and resources they need to fix him " for crying out loud!!

We just (literally just; as in last week) moved to Tennessee from Washington State. My parents live in North Carolina. We're suppposed to be going for a visit (late holiday celebration) the week of December 29th. Now being so close, I still feel so far away in these moments. Depending on how he does tonight, I might leave earlier than planned to be with him and my family.

Has anyone else experienced anything like this? Maybe you can share some words of encouragement and/or survivor stories? Most of my days involve lots of crying. I do my best to hold it together most of the day but at night, I just pray and cry until I fall asleep. When I research things online, it's all focused on death for his diagnosis. I'm scared of losing my Dad. I didn't come all of this way to Tennessee to lose him. I came here to be with him and make as many memories as possible while I have him (hopefully for many more years to come). I've been searching for some sort of support group to help me and my family get thru this together. I'm so thankful to you for taking the time out of your day to reply to my post.