Update on Dad & question

midnte0708
midnte0708 Member Posts: 166
edited March 2014 in Colorectal Cancer #1
Flew in yesterday and saw my father last night. He is very weak, not eating much if anything and probably in bed 23.5 hours a day listening to radio, sleeping. No pain though and still has a urinary tract infection and taking xeloda 2x per day.

One thing surprised me was his belly was puffed so big and eyes very yellow. I didn't know an enlarged liver could make your stomach sooo big.
Does anyone have any experience about this , puffed belly and yellowing. I know its because the liver is not funtioning properly but is is possibly to make a turnaround short of a miracle from God at this point, or is this a really bad sign? This kind of just happened in a matter of 2-3 weeks thats why i am stunned. His doc appoint 3.5 weeks ago they did blood work felt his liver and everything was fine.
3 weeks after that it all changed.
I'm trying not to lose hope but wonder if he makes it to Roswell for his appointment April 8th for 2nd opinion if another doctor will even touch him .

Any thoughts are appreciated. And I thank everyone who responded to my last message.
Other than my mother and brother who are very uneducated about this disease this message board has been a lifesaver to me with my questions, etc.

Thanks,
Sue

Comments

  • nudgie
    nudgie Member Posts: 1,478 Member
    #2
    Liver Issue
    I had a friend that was DX with Stage IV Colon Cancer and when chemo did not work anymore and surgery was not an opinion and she fought to the bitter end; she had some of the symptoms you mentioned.

    If could be others things causing the bloating of the stomach, but the yellowing of the eyes normally is from the liver not functioning properly. Please check with the Doc and we will pray for you and your father.
  • msccolon
    msccolon Member Posts: 1,917 Member
    #3
    stomach bloat
    very common side effect when the liver stops functioning properly, his abdomen is filling with fluid. He can get it drained to make him more comfortable. It will fill again, but he can have it drained multiple times.
    mary
  • kimby
    kimby Member Posts: 797
    #4
    Liver
    Sue,

    I believe in HOPE and I believe that there is no such thing as false hope. I also believe in the truth...then create the reality you can live with from that. Please know that the following comes from a place of love and respect.

    I have multiple liver mets (inoperable) including one that is dangerously close to the hepatic artery. It was explained to me that if that tumor would grow (a matter of weeks or short months) that it would impair liver function creating the symptoms you are currently seeing in your father, resulting in death. I don't know that this is what is happening with your father, but his doctors may. There are things that can be done to make him more comfortable. Talk to his doctors. You and your family are in my prayers.

    Hugs,

    Kimby
  • midnte0708
    midnte0708 Member Posts: 166
    #5
    nudgie said:

    Liver Issue
    I had a friend that was DX with Stage IV Colon Cancer and when chemo did not work anymore and surgery was not an opinion and she fought to the bitter end; she had some of the symptoms you mentioned.

    If could be others things causing the bloating of the stomach, but the yellowing of the eyes normally is from the liver not functioning properly. Please check with the Doc and we will pray for you and your father.

    Thanks
    Thanks for your message, may I ask how long your friend had these same symptoms.
    The doc today said nothing is likely to help and go to the 2nd opinion appt for piece of mind if you wish. He said Xeloda is a long shot.
  • midnte0708
    midnte0708 Member Posts: 166
    #6
    msccolon said:

    stomach bloat
    very common side effect when the liver stops functioning properly, his abdomen is filling with fluid. He can get it drained to make him more comfortable. It will fill again, but he can have it drained multiple times.
    mary

    Thanks
    I guess we will take it day by day. It is probably one of the reasons he can't eat much. Maybe the doctor will suggest that at next weeks appt.
  • midnte0708
    midnte0708 Member Posts: 166
    #7
    kimby said:

    Liver
    Sue,

    I believe in HOPE and I believe that there is no such thing as false hope. I also believe in the truth...then create the reality you can live with from that. Please know that the following comes from a place of love and respect.

    I have multiple liver mets (inoperable) including one that is dangerously close to the hepatic artery. It was explained to me that if that tumor would grow (a matter of weeks or short months) that it would impair liver function creating the symptoms you are currently seeing in your father, resulting in death. I don't know that this is what is happening with your father, but his doctors may. There are things that can be done to make him more comfortable. Talk to his doctors. You and your family are in my prayers.

    Hugs,

    Kimby

    Thanks
    Kimby,

    Yes, that is what is basically what is happening according to doctor, but you explained it much better.
    I'm still hoping for my miracle, it is all that keeps me going now. Maybe his tumor will stop growing with Xeloda....

    I wish you the best in your own battle with this horrible disease.
    Thanks,
    Sue
  • tootsie1
    tootsie1 Member Posts: 5,044 Member
    #8
    praying
    Sue,

    I'm just praying for you and your family. I do hope you can find some help for your dad, so that at the very least, he can be more comfortable. I know it's very hard for you to see. I will pray that your next post will tell us that your dad is not so swollen.

    *hugs*
    Gail
  • midnte0708
    midnte0708 Member Posts: 166
    #9
    tootsie1 said:

    praying
    Sue,

    I'm just praying for you and your family. I do hope you can find some help for your dad, so that at the very least, he can be more comfortable. I know it's very hard for you to see. I will pray that your next post will tell us that your dad is not so swollen.

    *hugs*
    Gail

    Thanks
    Thanks for your prayers Gail.

    Sue

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