Elderly father, 97 yrs old

SheShe

I am the caregiver of my dad. He was diagnosed with Colon CA at age 94. He had surgery to remove the ascending and descending colon. It has been 3 yrs as of last Dec. My question is he now has CHF( congestive heart failure), S/P mild MI  (slight heart attack), Anemia, Aortic Stenosis, Bifascicular Block (usually resulting in sudden cardiac death) now he had an CEA level done and it came back high at 4.8.

I am wondering if it's time to have Pallative care for him. He is ambulatory with a walker. He recently was hospitalized with Pneumonia. He seems frail. Tires easily. Gets short of breathe easily.

NewHere

You Probably Want To Speak With Your Dad & Health Care Providers

It is difficult to say when it is time for care and more so based on descriptions.  You mention he is ambulatory with a walker.  You have listed a couple of things - CEA rising (possible issue), tiring easily and SOB, which many people may have and difficult to say how severe it is (and could be related to anemia) etc.  It sounds like there is some general aging issues, with some coupling with health issues.  Adding to it, being a caregiver and trying to do the right thing.  

He is ambulatory.  You did not mention his mental status, pain issues or other things.  It could be something where someone else helping with care a bit may make it easier for both of you.

The doctors and hospitals should be able to help you a bit more, including perhaps discussions with social services.  

Trubrit

97, wow!

What a grand age!

I am sorry that he had to deal with Cancer so late in his life. He must be quite the man, to have had surgery, treatment and have been NED for three years. 

At his age, I am not surprised that his body is suffering. I hope that he can be made as comfortable as possible and see his 100th birthday. 

The CEA could possibly be affected by all of his other conditions and medications. Who knows. I hope its not the Cancer, bless him!

As for being frail, tiring easily and being short of breath, at 97 I'm not surprised. I get that way at 56. 

If his mental state is good, and he is doing relativly well, then he might not need or want pallative care. I think you should have a good talk with him, but not push it. If its going to be his time, he may just want to be left alone. 

Good luck and come back to let us know how he is doing. 

Sue - Trubrit

Easyflip

I would let

him decide. At 97 I wouldn't do chemo or surgery, it's hard enough when you're young. If he's mentally out of it I would just make him comfortable and happy. No medical torture to buy a short amount of time. Just my two cents.

easyflip/Richard 

tanstaafl

CAM

Late 90s with CHF is likely pretty fragile for anything conventional surgery/chemo wise.  CEA 4.8, without a repeat test and a tended backstory is not prime time for panic.  

I would look at the non-toxic treatment lists over at Life Extension Foundation for CHF and colon cancer.   You'll find  that alternative treatment for colon cancer has several items in common for CHF, including similar high doses of coQ10, acetylcarnitine and alpha lipoic acid along with some other extra potency vitamins. 

Helen321

I don't know the answer, I

I don't know the answer, I just want to say God bless him still managing at 97!  Amazing.