Newbie - dad with newly diagnosed stage 4

dextr
dextr Member Posts: 5
edited March 2014 in Esophageal Cancer #1
Hello everyone,
My dad (70) has recently been diagnosed with stage 4 esophageal cancer, that has spread to lungs, stomach and liver. His gen. practitioner reviewed his chart this past Wednesday and estimated that he had 3 months left.

He's been having trouble eating for a few weeks now, and it's gotten worse. Loss of apetite from physically not being able to swallow foods, and also mentally because certain smells and the thought of some foods make him nauseous. Over the weekend he showed signs of improvement in apetite and eating, but that faded and he hasn't eaten anything since yesterday morning. He tried drinking an Ensure, but vomited that up soon after. Now he's having dry heaves, and has lost more weight. This is taking a toll on his emotions and will.

continue...

Wednesday he's scheduled for an endoscopy and biopsy, with the results being rushed and then an appt with the Oncologist. This morning my mother tells me that dad is saying 'what is the use of it now?' and he's not feeling the need to do the procedure.

What are some realistic options in this situation? At this point, is surgery or chemo or radiation at stage 4 with this much spread to other organs even something that could be helpful? Even if only to get him more comfortable and able to eat?

Some background:
5 years ago he had a heart valve replacement, mechanical. He's been on blood thinners ever since. 5 weeks ago he developed a clot in his right ankle, and this lead to doctors finding the cancer on a barium swallow and CT scan. 2 weeks ago he got a second clot in his left ankle, and they have placed an 'umbrella' into his vein to catch any clots that could travel upwards. The pain from the clots and circulatory problems is very intense and he can only move around in a wheelchair for 5-10 minutes before having to get back into bed. Pain meds had been making in moderately bearable. He was prescribed morphine pills since vicodin and norco were not doing enough.

Friday he started on Lovenox injections to prep for the endoscopy, and stopped the thinners. This really helped reduce the swelling and pain in his legs, and we imagine it's because the clots are breaking up. He has not had to take any morphine, and has been able to reduce the amount of norco he's been taking.

His apetite improved Friday and Saturday, as well did his spirits. But, on Sunday he was only able to eat a small amount in the morning, and nothing but tea since then.

Thank you for reading/listening and thank you in advance for any advice.

Comments

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  • dextr
    dextr Member Posts: 5
    unknown said:

    This comment has been removed by the Moderator

    Thanks for the reply Sherri.
    Thanks for the reply Sherri. My dad is 70, and has always been a model of the fit/healthy male. Gymnast in his youth, long distance runner, and in his age has always kept up on his fitness.

    The reason I decided to post here was to get real answers from people dealing with EC, so I appreciate your honesty. I'll make note of the protein shake suggestion.

    I'm doing my best to help my mom and siblings keep dad thinking positive. I really want to know what the Oncologist says as far as the options... and I'm crossing my fingers that he will have more than the 3 months his gen. prac. had given last week.

    -Neil
  • dextr said:

    Thanks for the reply Sherri.
    Thanks for the reply Sherri. My dad is 70, and has always been a model of the fit/healthy male. Gymnast in his youth, long distance runner, and in his age has always kept up on his fitness.

    The reason I decided to post here was to get real answers from people dealing with EC, so I appreciate your honesty. I'll make note of the protein shake suggestion.

    I'm doing my best to help my mom and siblings keep dad thinking positive. I really want to know what the Oncologist says as far as the options... and I'm crossing my fingers that he will have more than the 3 months his gen. prac. had given last week.

    -Neil

    This comment has been removed by the Moderator
  • Tina Blondek
    Tina Blondek Member Posts: 1,500 Member
    unknown said:

    This comment has been removed by the Moderator

    welcome Neil and Dad
    Hi Neil,
    Welcome to our wonderful family of EC survivors and fighters. I was a caregiver for my dad, 71 who recently passed away from ec with mets to his liver. I will be honest with you as well, my dad beat the ec stage IV no problem, with chemo and radiation. In December 09, he developed mets to his liver. This is when the problems started. He went down hill fast. My dad and your dad are about the same age. It is much harder for older victims to tolerate this whole journey. The fact that your dad is more physically fit will be to his advantage. I would wait and see what the ongologist suggests. If you are not happy with the answer, by all means get a second opinion. We did. First dr gave dad 6 mos. Second opinion treated him and he lived 16 months. Big difference in our minds. Ultimitely it is your dad's decision as to what he wants to do. I learned this the hard way. Surgery is almost always ruled out for stage IV. They should suggest chemo, maybe radiation, but since he has mets, I am not sure. Best of luck to you, and know you are not alone. We will be praying for your dad and your family. Caregivers is another good discussion board to go to. Keep in touch.As far as his appetite goes, that is totally normal for an ec patient. As long as he stays hydrated, he should be ok. Lots of fluids. Carnation Instant Breakfast, milk shakes, yogurt drinks, protein shakes. Do not give up until everyone gives up!
    Tina
  • dextr
    dextr Member Posts: 5

    welcome Neil and Dad
    Hi Neil,
    Welcome to our wonderful family of EC survivors and fighters. I was a caregiver for my dad, 71 who recently passed away from ec with mets to his liver. I will be honest with you as well, my dad beat the ec stage IV no problem, with chemo and radiation. In December 09, he developed mets to his liver. This is when the problems started. He went down hill fast. My dad and your dad are about the same age. It is much harder for older victims to tolerate this whole journey. The fact that your dad is more physically fit will be to his advantage. I would wait and see what the ongologist suggests. If you are not happy with the answer, by all means get a second opinion. We did. First dr gave dad 6 mos. Second opinion treated him and he lived 16 months. Big difference in our minds. Ultimitely it is your dad's decision as to what he wants to do. I learned this the hard way. Surgery is almost always ruled out for stage IV. They should suggest chemo, maybe radiation, but since he has mets, I am not sure. Best of luck to you, and know you are not alone. We will be praying for your dad and your family. Caregivers is another good discussion board to go to. Keep in touch.As far as his appetite goes, that is totally normal for an ec patient. As long as he stays hydrated, he should be ok. Lots of fluids. Carnation Instant Breakfast, milk shakes, yogurt drinks, protein shakes. Do not give up until everyone gives up!
    Tina

    Thank you Tina and
    Thank you Tina and Sherri!
    Dad gets endoscopy and biopsy this morning. Meeting with Oncologist as early Friday.
    I'll be sure to come back here for support.

    -Neil
  • jessicalla
    jessicalla Member Posts: 29
    dextr said:

    Thank you Tina and
    Thank you Tina and Sherri!
    Dad gets endoscopy and biopsy this morning. Meeting with Oncologist as early Friday.
    I'll be sure to come back here for support.

    -Neil

    welcome Neil
    Neil,

    I'm so sorry that you have to be welcomed into this world of cancer. My father was just diagnosed three weeks ago with stage IV and I know exactly what you're going through. Hang on tight...we're all gonna make it somehow.

    Take care,
    Jessica