Stage IV stomach cancer and cannot hold anything down when taken by mouth

huskeysherrie
huskeysherrie Member Posts: 3
edited March 2014 in Stomach Cancer #1
I'm not even sure where to begin. My father was diagnosed with stage IV Gastric cancer in March of 2010. It has spread to the outside of the colon and from my understanding it is in the fatty tissue. He has a tumor on the outside of the colon which is pushing down on the colon and causing obstruction. He has paticpated in a clinical trial and a regular chemo treatment. The cancer in his stomach reacted very good to the clinical trial; however, the tumor on the outside of the colon did not. It has actually mildly enlarged.

His body is so depleted. He cannot eat or hold anything down when he tries to eat by mouth. He is on the tpn but he is only getting weaker. He cannot digest anything. He says it just sits there which causes alot of pain and discomfort. His dr told him that he couldn't do anymore chemo treatments because he is too weak. Surgery hasn't been an option since day 1. Now we don't know what to do. We don't want to sit here and not help me try to fight back which he is really trying to do.

Please, does anyone have any advice on how to get him to be able to digest food or help him? We visited a herbal dr when we were told there is nothing else they could do right now. He spent a lot of money and there is a lot of things to take. He did try them this morning but he threw everthing back up by this evening. Should we continue or try something else?

Please, help with any advice!!!

Comments

  • Tina Blondek
    Tina Blondek Member Posts: 1,500 Member
    #2
    Welcome
    Hello Huskysherrie
    Welcome you and your dad to this discussion board. Sorry you are having such a rough time. My dad passed away in March 2010 from esophageal cancer, which was right on top of his stomach, which metastisized to his liver. My first suggestion would be to get a second opinion. My dad's first opinion said 6 mos. his second opinion from UVA said we will treat this cancer, put it into remission. This came true! He was in remission for one year. The mets to the liver was what made him worse and pass away. Shoot! I was happy to have my dad for 16 mos compared to 6 mos! The second suggestion I have is to ask the drs about giving your dad a feeding tube. There are 2 different kinds. This way he will be getting the well needed nutrition through fluid, which should be easier to digest. This is a very long up and down roller coaster ride. Be prepared! Hang in there, and do the best you can. Hugs to both of you. Keep in touch.
    Tina
  • huskeysherrie
    huskeysherrie Member Posts: 3
    #3
    Tina Blondek said:

    Welcome
    Hello Huskysherrie
    Welcome you and your dad to this discussion board. Sorry you are having such a rough time. My dad passed away in March 2010 from esophageal cancer, which was right on top of his stomach, which metastisized to his liver. My first suggestion would be to get a second opinion. My dad's first opinion said 6 mos. his second opinion from UVA said we will treat this cancer, put it into remission. This came true! He was in remission for one year. The mets to the liver was what made him worse and pass away. Shoot! I was happy to have my dad for 16 mos compared to 6 mos! The second suggestion I have is to ask the drs about giving your dad a feeding tube. There are 2 different kinds. This way he will be getting the well needed nutrition through fluid, which should be easier to digest. This is a very long up and down roller coaster ride. Be prepared! Hang in there, and do the best you can. Hugs to both of you. Keep in touch.
    Tina

    Thank you for sharing your
    Thank you for sharing your experience. We have learned that he now has a complete blockage. We were told that there is nothing else that can be done.However, he is going to start a mild chemo treatment. This time it will be only one chemo drug that is barely suppose to have any side effects.The dr said that he didn't want to put him or the family through anymore that what he had to. It's hard to accecpt because my father is not ready to give up. We don't know what else to do.
  • Little_C
    Little_C Member Posts: 23
    #4
    Tina Blondek said:

    Welcome
    Hello Huskysherrie
    Welcome you and your dad to this discussion board. Sorry you are having such a rough time. My dad passed away in March 2010 from esophageal cancer, which was right on top of his stomach, which metastisized to his liver. My first suggestion would be to get a second opinion. My dad's first opinion said 6 mos. his second opinion from UVA said we will treat this cancer, put it into remission. This came true! He was in remission for one year. The mets to the liver was what made him worse and pass away. Shoot! I was happy to have my dad for 16 mos compared to 6 mos! The second suggestion I have is to ask the drs about giving your dad a feeding tube. There are 2 different kinds. This way he will be getting the well needed nutrition through fluid, which should be easier to digest. This is a very long up and down roller coaster ride. Be prepared! Hang in there, and do the best you can. Hugs to both of you. Keep in touch.
    Tina

    UVA?
    Can you tell what UVA stands for and where it's located? Thanks.
  • Tina Blondek
    Tina Blondek Member Posts: 1,500 Member
    #5
    Little_C said:

    UVA?
    Can you tell what UVA stands for and where it's located? Thanks.

    Hello Little C
    UVA stands
    Hello Little C
    UVA stands for University of Virginia Hospital. It is in Charlottesville, Virginia. They have an excellent cancer section there. Hope this helps you. Let me know if you need any other info.
    Tina
  • 5252
    5252 Member Posts: 4
    #6
    same situation with my brother
    hi, my name is vivi.
    i have a brother 38 yrs old who is in the same situation with ur father. stage IV gastric cancer since 2008, chemo 8 cycles.
    he cannot swallow anything and already operated for gastric and jejunum bypass but the bypass is closed by obstruction. yesterday he was operated but the doctor closed the intestine again because it is already hardened by cancer.
    he is with tpn now and getting weaker too.

    i do not what to do.....
  • jsreese
    jsreese Member Posts: 1
    #7
    Stage IV stomach cancer
    My husband was diagnosed with stage IV stomach cancer which had spreaded to his liver in March of 2010. The doctors said surgery was not an option and they immedicately suggested chemo. He begin a series of chemo and the tumors were shrinking. But in November after receiving a PET scan, it was discovered that the liver tumors were almost completely gone but the stomach tumors were beginning to grow. The tumor in the stomach had formed a blockade in his stomach and he received a stint to help him eat. He have lost so much weight because he can't eat. Now the doctors have started him on a new round of chemo in hopes of shrinking the stomach tumors. I applaud all of the caregivers out there because this is no easy job. I often say that "this is bigger than the beatles". My prayers go out to all of your love ones. Keep praying.
  • jangolden
    jangolden Member Posts: 3
    #8
    jsreese said:

    Stage IV stomach cancer
    My husband was diagnosed with stage IV stomach cancer which had spreaded to his liver in March of 2010. The doctors said surgery was not an option and they immedicately suggested chemo. He begin a series of chemo and the tumors were shrinking. But in November after receiving a PET scan, it was discovered that the liver tumors were almost completely gone but the stomach tumors were beginning to grow. The tumor in the stomach had formed a blockade in his stomach and he received a stint to help him eat. He have lost so much weight because he can't eat. Now the doctors have started him on a new round of chemo in hopes of shrinking the stomach tumors. I applaud all of the caregivers out there because this is no easy job. I often say that "this is bigger than the beatles". My prayers go out to all of your love ones. Keep praying.

    stomach cancer stage 1V
    Hello jsreese,
    kindly let me know what kind of chemo medicine did they give your husband?my sister was diagnose in feb 28 2011, the whole stomach is affected, she has clear lung and other organs. but the doctors at the hospital has sent her home with NGT(nassal gastric tubing) to clean her stomach. we have her at the homeotherapy hospital at the moment because some other hospital has rejected her. i am now confused and in distress looks like they given up on her...thanks for any advice....jgolden
  • mzeye77
    mzeye77 Member Posts: 1
    #9
    jangolden said:

    stomach cancer stage 1V
    Hello jsreese,
    kindly let me know what kind of chemo medicine did they give your husband?my sister was diagnose in feb 28 2011, the whole stomach is affected, she has clear lung and other organs. but the doctors at the hospital has sent her home with NGT(nassal gastric tubing) to clean her stomach. we have her at the homeotherapy hospital at the moment because some other hospital has rejected her. i am now confused and in distress looks like they given up on her...thanks for any advice....jgolden

    Stomach Cancer loved one
    My family member is currently suffering stomach cancer stage 4 also, blockage, can't keep any foods down, lost alot of weight maybe 90-100 pounds now and the drs said there is nothing else they can do, they sent him to hospice. this is so sad, and I'm praying for every one here and hopefully one day there will be a cure for this disease that is the #2 cause of deaths. I have been looking at this website where I found alot of helpful alternative solutions www.cancertutor.com I recommend anyone go to this website and just read. If anyone has any suggestions as to what to do with the blockage, and wasting please advise. blessings.

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