My dad's cancer has spread to his liver/chemo or not?

Tina Blondek
Tina Blondek Member Posts: 1,500 Member
edited March 2014 in Esophageal Cancer #1
Hey all here, Yes, my dad's cancer unfortunately has spread to his liver. In the next few weeks we have to decide as a family whether or not to start the chemo treatments. It will be two treatments of irinotecan and cisplatin given through the vain. Has anyone here had this kind of treatment? If so, what side effects did you have, and what was the result? Any and all of your help will be appreciated. I have also posted this on the liver cancer discussion board. Thanks.
Tina

Comments

  • ndmp
    ndmp Member Posts: 36
    #2
    I am sorry to hear
    Tina,

    Hi, I am so sorry to hear that the beast has spread. My father had mets in the liver as well. I am always reluctant to respond because my story does not have a happy ending. I know how you feel right now. I hate this beast. It makes me so mad. My Dad had Cisplatin and Irinotecan. There is a wonderful web site called Chemo Cares it gives a list of side effects. I used it a lot while Dad was going through treatment. I can't remember the exact side effects from this combination of drugs. I hate to say this but chemo was very difficult on my Dad. He did many different types of chemo and all were difficult. Dad was very advanced in the disease, I pray that your Dad will respond to the treatment and he will have a better experience. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
    Nicole
  • lindadanis
    lindadanis Member Posts: 235
    #3
    chemo
    My husband has stage four that also has spread of liver, stomach, etc. He is currently on his four dose of those two chemo's you mentioned. How many sessions did his doctor tell him he needed, ours told us six sessions, which total 12 individual chemo sessions. Where do you live? How old is he? My husband did ok with these chemo's, very tired, some diahera but other than that, no too bad. Please let me know more of your story ok.
  • lindadanis
    lindadanis Member Posts: 235
    #4
    ndmp said:

    I am sorry to hear
    Tina,

    Hi, I am so sorry to hear that the beast has spread. My father had mets in the liver as well. I am always reluctant to respond because my story does not have a happy ending. I know how you feel right now. I hate this beast. It makes me so mad. My Dad had Cisplatin and Irinotecan. There is a wonderful web site called Chemo Cares it gives a list of side effects. I used it a lot while Dad was going through treatment. I can't remember the exact side effects from this combination of drugs. I hate to say this but chemo was very difficult on my Dad. He did many different types of chemo and all were difficult. Dad was very advanced in the disease, I pray that your Dad will respond to the treatment and he will have a better experience. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
    Nicole

    Nicole
    I was reading your story and abouth these two chemo's, my name is Linda and I have posted on this question. How long did your dad do the cisplatin and iriotecan and did he have radiation as well? I am gathering from your post, that your dad lost his battle to this horrible cancer. My husband is in his fourth chemo session, lots of mets to his stomach, liver, etc. Do you mind me asking if your father was stage four when diagosed and did he finish all his chemo's and also, did he finish radiation/andor surgery if he did any of that. I was very much on the line with chemo but felt my husband had no other choices for him, they said no surgery and no radiation at this point. He has lost about 60 pounds, cannot eat too much, does get some things down, however the chemo is very touch on him. do you mind me asking from when he was diagnosed to the end, how long was it? I hate asking these questions but sometimes I just need to know what to expect although I know everyone is different, this cancer is certainly a beast.
  • Tina Blondek
    Tina Blondek Member Posts: 1,500 Member
    #5
    lindadanis said:

    chemo
    My husband has stage four that also has spread of liver, stomach, etc. He is currently on his four dose of those two chemo's you mentioned. How many sessions did his doctor tell him he needed, ours told us six sessions, which total 12 individual chemo sessions. Where do you live? How old is he? My husband did ok with these chemo's, very tired, some diahera but other than that, no too bad. Please let me know more of your story ok.

    Dear Linda,Thanks for your
    Dear Linda,
    Thanks for your response. No....my dad has not lost his battle with this cancer yet!! If i have anything to do with it....he wont!! He beat the cancer in his esophagus, and it has now spread to his liver. He will start these two chemos in the next few weeks. Your husbands experience is positive as far as how he did with these chemos. Good luck to you and him. Keep us in your prayers as well.Dad had stage IV ec, and they did not stage this liver cancer. He will be 71 on Feb 26th. He had chemo and radiation for 6 wks for the ec, and did very well.
    We live in Virginia, and go to UVA in Charlottesville.Linda.....sorry.....I just realized you were writing to Nicole and not me!!!! Pardon me. My brain is not functioning properly today!
    Tina
  • Tina Blondek
    Tina Blondek Member Posts: 1,500 Member
    #6
    ndmp said:

    I am sorry to hear
    Tina,

    Hi, I am so sorry to hear that the beast has spread. My father had mets in the liver as well. I am always reluctant to respond because my story does not have a happy ending. I know how you feel right now. I hate this beast. It makes me so mad. My Dad had Cisplatin and Irinotecan. There is a wonderful web site called Chemo Cares it gives a list of side effects. I used it a lot while Dad was going through treatment. I can't remember the exact side effects from this combination of drugs. I hate to say this but chemo was very difficult on my Dad. He did many different types of chemo and all were difficult. Dad was very advanced in the disease, I pray that your Dad will respond to the treatment and he will have a better experience. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
    Nicole

    Thanks Nicole. I have your
    Thanks Nicole. I have your email. Thanks for the web site as well. I will be in touch.
    Tina
  • mumphy
    mumphy Member Posts: 440
    #7
    Tina Blondek said:

    Dear Linda,Thanks for your
    Dear Linda,
    Thanks for your response. No....my dad has not lost his battle with this cancer yet!! If i have anything to do with it....he wont!! He beat the cancer in his esophagus, and it has now spread to his liver. He will start these two chemos in the next few weeks. Your husbands experience is positive as far as how he did with these chemos. Good luck to you and him. Keep us in your prayers as well.Dad had stage IV ec, and they did not stage this liver cancer. He will be 71 on Feb 26th. He had chemo and radiation for 6 wks for the ec, and did very well.
    We live in Virginia, and go to UVA in Charlottesville.Linda.....sorry.....I just realized you were writing to Nicole and not me!!!! Pardon me. My brain is not functioning properly today!
    Tina

    Hey Tina
    Al has been on both the those chemo meds. He did better with those two then the original cocktail that they had him on.

    I do know that after a few additional treatment with this cocktail after the heavy duty original one was when they noticed the the tumor had shrunk.

    I will be sure to let everyone know the game plan for Al tomarrow when I get home. Who knows
    he might be back on the same thing.

    Prayers on the way.
    God Bless
    Kath
  • Tina Blondek
    Tina Blondek Member Posts: 1,500 Member
    #8
    mumphy said:

    Hey Tina
    Al has been on both the those chemo meds. He did better with those two then the original cocktail that they had him on.

    I do know that after a few additional treatment with this cocktail after the heavy duty original one was when they noticed the the tumor had shrunk.

    I will be sure to let everyone know the game plan for Al tomarrow when I get home. Who knows
    he might be back on the same thing.

    Prayers on the way.
    God Bless
    Kath

    Thanks Kath. That is some
    Thanks Kath. That is some good news that Al did well with these chemo treatments. Lets keep our chins up and prayer for the best! hugs to you both.
    Tina
  • lindadanis
    lindadanis Member Posts: 235
    #9
    Tina Blondek said:

    Dear Linda,Thanks for your
    Dear Linda,
    Thanks for your response. No....my dad has not lost his battle with this cancer yet!! If i have anything to do with it....he wont!! He beat the cancer in his esophagus, and it has now spread to his liver. He will start these two chemos in the next few weeks. Your husbands experience is positive as far as how he did with these chemos. Good luck to you and him. Keep us in your prayers as well.Dad had stage IV ec, and they did not stage this liver cancer. He will be 71 on Feb 26th. He had chemo and radiation for 6 wks for the ec, and did very well.
    We live in Virginia, and go to UVA in Charlottesville.Linda.....sorry.....I just realized you were writing to Nicole and not me!!!! Pardon me. My brain is not functioning properly today!
    Tina

    Tina
    that's ok that you answered my remark. I am so happy that your dad beat the cancer in his esophogeal area., did these two chemos get rid of that tumor? That so wonderful., is he starting these two chemos again for his liver and also, how long was he on these two chemos before for his esophagus?
  • Tina Blondek
    Tina Blondek Member Posts: 1,500 Member
    #10
    lindadanis said:

    Tina
    that's ok that you answered my remark. I am so happy that your dad beat the cancer in his esophogeal area., did these two chemos get rid of that tumor? That so wonderful., is he starting these two chemos again for his liver and also, how long was he on these two chemos before for his esophagus?

    Hi Linda,
    We are happy too
    Hi Linda,
    We are happy too that he beat the ec. For the ec he recieved xeloda oral chemo and had radiation for 6 weeks. Tumor shrunk considerabely. Now that it has spread to his liver, he will be getting two different kinds of chemo. Two treatments 3 weeks apart. Very strong chemos this time. More so than the xeloda. Worried about that. But....since treatment is available....we have to keep fighting!! Thanks again and hang in there. There are small lights at the end of the tunnel. They go away...but do come back. Enjoy every minute of every day. Keep in touch.
    Tina
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    #11
    Tina Blondek said:

    Hi Linda,
    We are happy too
    Hi Linda,
    We are happy too that he beat the ec. For the ec he recieved xeloda oral chemo and had radiation for 6 weeks. Tumor shrunk considerabely. Now that it has spread to his liver, he will be getting two different kinds of chemo. Two treatments 3 weeks apart. Very strong chemos this time. More so than the xeloda. Worried about that. But....since treatment is available....we have to keep fighting!! Thanks again and hang in there. There are small lights at the end of the tunnel. They go away...but do come back. Enjoy every minute of every day. Keep in touch.
    Tina

    This comment has been removed by the Moderator
  • JaneE2366
    JaneE2366 Member Posts: 289 Member
    #12
    unknown said:

    This comment has been removed by the Moderator

    Emend
    Hi Sherri,
    Charlie was given the Emend before each of his rounds of chemo. He had his chemo in the hospital but the hospital doesn't "stock" the Emend....too expensive. So I was given a script for it and had to bring it to the hospital. I was only given a script for 3 pills each time....even with insurance it cost us $90......$30 a pill! I gave him the pill 1x a day for the first 3 days of his chemo. Seemed to help him a lot....we were told the protocol he was on would cause him extreme nausea.....
    Sorry to hear Jim has too go through this again....but his (& your attitude) is wonderful. Stay strong....keeping you both in my prayers.
    Jane
  • Tina Blondek
    Tina Blondek Member Posts: 1,500 Member
    #13
    JaneE2366 said:

    Emend
    Hi Sherri,
    Charlie was given the Emend before each of his rounds of chemo. He had his chemo in the hospital but the hospital doesn't "stock" the Emend....too expensive. So I was given a script for it and had to bring it to the hospital. I was only given a script for 3 pills each time....even with insurance it cost us $90......$30 a pill! I gave him the pill 1x a day for the first 3 days of his chemo. Seemed to help him a lot....we were told the protocol he was on would cause him extreme nausea.....
    Sorry to hear Jim has too go through this again....but his (& your attitude) is wonderful. Stay strong....keeping you both in my prayers.
    Jane

    Hey Sherri,
    Thanks for your
    Hey Sherri,
    Thanks for your response. This is the same chemo my dad will be taking. Glad to hear that Jim has done well with it. There has not been a mention of this type of anti nausea med as of yet. It does still have a lot of the anti nausea meds left over from his chemo for the ec. We will cross that bridge when we come to it. I try to think one hour at a time, or I get too far ahead of myself and go crazy. Proud of myself today, I finally went to get my hair cut!! Almost fell asleep in the chair. I told my beautician...I am not ignoring you, but it just feels so good to close my eyes. Thanks again, and you and Jim are in my prayers.
    Tina
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    #14
    Tina Blondek said:

    Hey Sherri,
    Thanks for your
    Hey Sherri,
    Thanks for your response. This is the same chemo my dad will be taking. Glad to hear that Jim has done well with it. There has not been a mention of this type of anti nausea med as of yet. It does still have a lot of the anti nausea meds left over from his chemo for the ec. We will cross that bridge when we come to it. I try to think one hour at a time, or I get too far ahead of myself and go crazy. Proud of myself today, I finally went to get my hair cut!! Almost fell asleep in the chair. I told my beautician...I am not ignoring you, but it just feels so good to close my eyes. Thanks again, and you and Jim are in my prayers.
    Tina

    This comment has been removed by the Moderator
  • emg09
    emg09 Member Posts: 228
    #15
    Tina Blondek said:

    Dear Linda,Thanks for your
    Dear Linda,
    Thanks for your response. No....my dad has not lost his battle with this cancer yet!! If i have anything to do with it....he wont!! He beat the cancer in his esophagus, and it has now spread to his liver. He will start these two chemos in the next few weeks. Your husbands experience is positive as far as how he did with these chemos. Good luck to you and him. Keep us in your prayers as well.Dad had stage IV ec, and they did not stage this liver cancer. He will be 71 on Feb 26th. He had chemo and radiation for 6 wks for the ec, and did very well.
    We live in Virginia, and go to UVA in Charlottesville.Linda.....sorry.....I just realized you were writing to Nicole and not me!!!! Pardon me. My brain is not functioning properly today!
    Tina

    Tina !!!
    Yet again another common thing with our dad's. My dad will be 71 on 2/23. I'm so amazed at the stuff those 2 men have in common. I wish they could meet. Maybe they could help each other fight this battle!!!
  • Tina Blondek
    Tina Blondek Member Posts: 1,500 Member
    #16
    emg09 said:

    Tina !!!
    Yet again another common thing with our dad's. My dad will be 71 on 2/23. I'm so amazed at the stuff those 2 men have in common. I wish they could meet. Maybe they could help each other fight this battle!!!

    Hey Erika!
    That is just too
    Hey Erika!
    That is just too funny. I take this as a sign that our two Pisces men are born to be fighters!
    If you want, I was thinking maybe we could exchange phone numbers so our dads could speak. Where do you live? That would be cool. They have so much in common, I think it would help them to talk. Let me know. How has he been doing? What is his update? Talk to you soon. Thanks for the smile today.
    Tina

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