What to expect in the last stages

Jennyt69 said:

What to expect

My mother was diagnosed wi stage 4 liver cancer.  Doctor tells us she can try Nexavar which will only extend her life, if she can tolerate the side affects.  

i'll be staying with her at home but don't know what to expect.  Does anyone know of any literature that can help?

i love reading personal experiences and adire how brave everyone braves am scared and I think if I knew what was coming in the next few months I would be able to help my mother more.

any suggestions on data I can read? Mi think with information and the personal experiences posted here, I can better understand.  At least I hope so.

thank you

Hi Jenny,  me and my sister are experiencing the same thing with our dad. Our dad is 63 we found out around aug10th/13 that he had cancer is his Rt. lung which they say spread to 2 tiny spots in his head and a lrg mass in his liver. Because my dad also had a kidney transplant 12 yrs ago and takes rejection drugs it lowers his immune system which made his cancer spread that much quicker. He did 4/5 radiation treatments and was supposed to try chemo afterwards but the liver cancer is just to far to continue. We found out about 3 weeks ago he is going very fast, he sleeps almost the entire day, he is jaundice and so are the white of his eyes, for an unknown reason he ended up with thrush really badly making sores all the way down his tongue giving a burning swollen feeling. Recently he was given a swishing medicine to heal his tongue however he is very fisty on taking it. He is on heavy doses of dilauded which keep him pretty much comfortable. He is able to crack an occassional joke with us and have small amounts of liquid foods rarely a solid. We are just getting hooked up with Hospice aparently they are very helpful to have around in our time of need. I wish you prayers of strength and a hug. If you ever just want someone to talk to my email is jcdurden@hotmail.com. Carrie 

MY  FATHER IN  LAW  WAS DIAGNOSED WITH STAGE  4  LIVER CANCER.

THEY  DID A  PROCEDURE TO  BLOCK THE BLOOD  FLOW  TO THAT SIDE  OF THE LIVER SO THE  OTHER  SIDE COULD  GROW

THAT  IT DI . HE  PASSED  HIS STRESS  TEST  AND  WAS  PREPARED TO BE  OPERATED  ON TO CUT  IT  OUT , AND THEY DID A  CT SCAN 1 MORE

TIME AND FOUND TWO NEW SPOTS ON THE GOOD SIDE OF THE LIVER SO SCRATCH THE  OPERATIONFOR NOW,  HE  HAS STARTED A REGIMEN OF 2 MONTHS OF CHEMO 

ONCE EVERY 2 WEEKS, THEN WE  HOPE AND  PRAY THEY CAN OPERATE. I DONT  KNOW WHAT TO EXPECT ANYMORE BECAUSE PEOPLE SAY STAGE  4  IN THE  LIVER , OH  MAN.

BUT THE DOCTOR SEEMS CONFIDENT. WE  HOPE AND  PRAY.  ANY  COMMENTS? PLEASE.

SashaCohen said:

Final Stage of cancer

My fiance was diagnosed with colon cancer after he was refused a colonoscopy 8 times because doctors say he was too young. I thought I had at least a good 5 more years with him. So he did the chemo and radiation but it seemed the cancer moved to his liver and was there for a while because while away working in the caribbean based on the nature of his job, he travelled to Europe and thats when the swelling of his ankles, knees and legs started. This started about 3 days of a 16 day trip and by the time he got home he was at least 40 lbs less not including the swellings. He went to the hospital for check up and they say his liver was inflammed. I am now in tears as I decided this is not enough. He is now in the hospital with a swollen stomach, yellow eyes, rapid weight loss, vomitting, day dreams (confusion), pain in upper stomach and right shoulder lower blade. He is in so much pain and the nurses/docs says he has only a few weeks to live. I dont know how to come to reality that I will never be able to walk down the isle with the man I am so deeply in love with. I cant sleep, I am depressed, I just want a few more years with him. I know eventually we all have to go but I am just trying to be strong for him.

 

Any word of comfort is greatly appreciated and or good news that he may recover for a little longer.

Sasha

I feel for you. My husband has been battling fibromellar carcinoma since he was disgnosed in 2006. We got married less than 2 months ago and recently he started exhibiting signs of the last stage of liver cancer. Swollen belly, jaundice, disorientation, discomfort, etc. it happened extremely quickly seeing that we returned from our honeymoon just 4 weeks ago. I'm angry, hurt, depressed everything I'm sure you're feeling as well. But the best advice I received and try so hard to continue to do when I walk into the hospital is make every minute and second I have with him mean everything.  I try not to cry in front of him but sometimes I can't help it but just live in the moment. Cherish it. Enjoy it. And think positively. Ask the nurses as much questions as possible too. They tnd to be more compassionate and will keep you updated on what you need to know or do.

Kingbird said:

I'm contaminated with hepa b

I'm contaminated with hepa b and I feel the symptoms of weakness, headache, muscle aches... I don't know what to be in the last stages...

 

I just want to make sure before I go to heaven that all is well with my family as I depart.

meh_oregon said:

Don't Give Up!

Hi,

Keep a positive attitude and don't believe everything you are told. Stats are based upon those who open their files to the docs. Everyone reacts differently. Attitude is a main thing and you should surround yourself with people who are positive. The dooms day folks can go back into the closet. I have had Stage IV cancer for almost three years. I was diagnosed in January 2011 and my children were told that I had only three months to live. I am still around and functioning. I may not be functioning 100% prior to being diagnosed, but I am able to move around and hug my family and friends. I have neuropathy in my hands and feet due to side effects of treatments. I believe a positive attitude is a key to maintaining to improving your health. I have undergone radiation treatment for my colon/rectum cancer and it is has been in remission for two years now. I am battling the liver cancer with the knowledge that I have two tumors that are inoperable and located in places (portal vein) that they never will go into remission. But, I can fight it with the drugs to maintain the size and not spread to other parts of my body. When I am undergoing chemo, the doctor puts me on a 5,000 calorie/day food intake. It makes sense if you think about it. Chemo burns up approximately 2,000 calories a day. You need the other 3,000 calories to account for the nourishment you need and the times you vomit it back up. In all honesty, I have never been able to eat that much food in a day, but I try. The main thing is that I have kept my weight within the 10 lb. radius of my origiinal weight prior to being sick. I keep the resources in my body to help fight the cancer. I don't stress about what is good for me to eat, whatever I can eat and keep down is a positive thing. Food doesn't always taste the greatest, so I use Carnation Instant Breakfast or diet beverages with a lot of protein to help me reach my food intake. I love to prove the stats wrong and have a great relationship with my doctor: he keeps me going and I will make his stats look wonderful. There are thousands of chemos out there. I have gone through six different types so far. Some have had horrible side effects (i.e. the skin looks dry and flakey and no matter what cream you use, you look scaley, colostomy, etc.). The thing is that if one doesn't work, go to the next one. I know my liver cancer is not primary, but I still go through the same things that primary folks do.

Thanks for the encouraging words.

My mother was diagnosed with stage IV liver cancer about six months ago.

I guess I'm still a little baby, but the news has shaken me to the core.

She went in for a PET scan yesterday and today the doctor has found that the cancer has spread to her lower spine.

I'm at a loss for words, but I understand that I need to be strong for my mom.

I will pray and cheer for you too.

citygirl1107 said:

What to expect in the last stages

Hi jeril, I'm going through a similar situation.  My husband has stage 4 liver cancer which spread from this glomus tumor in his ear.  Anyway, feeling so alone at a time like this is terrible.  I don't think you sound nasty at all.  Of all people his parents, you would think, would want to be with him to the end.  I'm sorry you're going through this.  I'm sorry I don't have any knowledge or wisdom to share with you but I do want you to know that my heart goes out to you, you are not alone as long as you have people you can reach here who can relate to you.  My husband hasn't reached the final moments yet but when that time comes I believe there will be kindness and support from people we meet here.  Any time you want to talk we're here.  Best wishes.

Hi Citygirl. I know this journey is not easy. My 42 yr old wonderful, bother has been diagnosed with colon cancer and liver mets. doctors say that it is very advanced and that he has 8 months to live. I battle with the thought of losing him and it makes me wana cry when I am alone in my room. I dont know what to expect as the doctor does not want to give him any medication and he is pain even after drinking a couple sips of liquid. can u please share your experience with me so I know what to do to help him be more comfortable. Maybe you ahve gone through something that might be similar to what is happening with my brother and i can learn to be a better caregiver from you.... my prayers are with you sweetheart

elizabeth94 said:

Hello. My mom was diagnosed

Hello. My mom was diagnosed with liver cancer on April 29th, 2012. The doctor told me she would not make it to see me graduate on May 29th, 2012. She has surpassed what the doctor said, & now she is staying cold, loss of enegy, having sharp abdominal pains, coughing up blood, & there is blood in her fecal matter. She refuses to go back to the doctor, she also has multiple sclerosis. Can somebody please help me.. I have no idea what is going on, or what to expect next...

My dad has a large tumor on his liver and a smaller one on his esophogus. We are waiting to get his biopsy report on where the primary tumor may be. i do not think there is much the doctors can do at this point. But I have hope in alternative methods. i know Dr. Thomas Seyfried from Boston College has a ketogenic diet that uses a monitored high fat, low carb, no sugar diet to kill cancer cells. Basically cancer cells need sugar to live, whereas normal cells can use ketone bodies (an alternative fuel) to function. He's very good with his emails. [Content removed by CSN Support Team]

Additionally, hyperbaric oxygen treatment has also shown very good results. You can check out scientific papers on hyperbaric oxygen on pubmed (scientific paper database). There is also an institution called Hippocrates Health Institute in Florida, where they use natural methods and food to help with healing.

Chinese Traditional Medicine has also very promising effects. There's 2000 years of trial and error behind this medicine, that we westerners often overlook.

http://www.itmonline.org/arts/livcancr.htm

this is a good website to look for some information. People think some Chinese Traditional medicine is toxic, but the thing is any medication is probably way less toxic then chemo.

And I think most importantly, it's about being there with the loved one, wholeheartedly. I'm dropping everything to be with my father. I hope you can too.

Best Wishes

Hi,

This is my first time on here. My dad has cancer in both lungs and also in his glands ( I think ) . He was given 9 months and we are just gone past the ninth month. Myself and my mam is here caring for him but lately my mother keeps  sleeping. Last week I went back to work and this is 9am to 5 pm as I was falling into depression and I needed to do something. 

I feel a bit guilty but I was no use to anybody the way I was. It's really only since I started work my mam is sleeping too much. My dad has carer s calling everyday but he is able to dress himself and walk around. He is an alcoholic and every night I buy him his drink. The way all my siblings look at it the drink is what he always had and why take it away from him now . But my mam hates us getting the drink. My dad is on morphine tabs and he is slowly going to die and maybe this is what my mam cannot accept. 

I am thinking of leaving the job and wait until my dad goes so I can look after the both of them as after working that week it has helped me get up early and I feel a lot better now. 

I do not know what to do with my mother . Do I contact the palliative care team and explain to them or what else ? Has anyone got any suggestions. 

Thanks for listening

My morher was home with Hospice care and had gone 10 days without water and we were waiting for the end. My brother from Florida came there and she perked up and talked to him, talked to his wife and daughter on the phone, asked how they were. She then fell back into her coma induced by the morphine I was giving her. The nurse explained that at a certain time, when they've been waiting for someone they can muster energy from somewhere to find the strength to wake and talk and that it's not unusual. I was shocked.. she became lucid and then went back into her coma. I wondered if I could stop the morphine and we could talk again, but I didn't want to mess with the plans Hospice had given me. Test things. But - she did wake up... she died shortly after that, after everyone had left the room, also not unusual. 

Hi I'm new here and I've been reading about the different cancers and what to expect I was diagnosed with end stage liver cancer 4 yrs ago the dr.gave up on me 4 times 1 yr in my mom was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer she was my caregiver at this point I became hers and she passed away 5 weeks later. I had to have paracentesis every week to drain 50+ lbs of fluid my then 3 yr old daughter watched as I grew weaker and no energy to pick her up finally I found a doctor that did everything he could to help me my only option was receive a transplant or die on March 7 2016 I received a liver they said I was the first PT. With my diagnosis to receive a transplant and do so well iam a living testimony keep your faith and fight til the end never give up and live everyday as it's the last my baby brother was diagnosed with leukemia 6 months after our mom passed away my Dad stayed by our side my brother received a transplant 2 weeks before me...I pray that all of you have peace and understanding and remember when you've done all you can for your loved one knowing that they are free from hurt and pain it doesn't take away the hurt of losing them but it gives you a piece of mind knowing that you loved them and they loved you until that last breath.