Sister with Pancreatic cancer

pulmelia · New User Joined: 25 Aug 2009 Posts: 3

I am sorry to say my sister that I have wrote about has gotten a lot worst. It has been one year since her diagnosis and she turned yellow three days ago and they thought it might be her stents clogging up again. However instead of finding that they found that her abdomen and liver are full of tumors. She is completely yellow and her stomach has become hard as a rock. They say she is in liver failure now. She is only 51 years old. She has never had kids or been married so I am her primary care giver. She is still living at home but I am concerned about that. She is very week and unstable. Does anyone know what to expect now that her liver is failing? How long can she last? What will happen next. This is all so confusing. She does not think she is dying and is in deep, deep denial. Hospice comes in twice a week but they do not say much about how long she has. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

LittleMe · Regular Joined: 28 Sep 2009 Posts: 25

Hello pulmelia

My dad died from renal (liver and kidney) failure so I may be able to help but everyone and every situation is different so I will just tell you what happened to my dad. His liver failed and this caused failure of his kindeys as well. He had cancer over a few years, (not pancreas) but had chemo. and always bounced back.

My dad was hospitalised with jaundice and died just 2 days later. He started to become confused, agitated, very tired and sleepy while in hosp.. I got to him on the day he died, and by then he was in a coma. I think he knew we were there, so we kept hold of his hands and arms and kissed him and talked to him, reassuringly.

I knew nothing about this beforehand but what I have read since about renal failure says that in the old days they called it the 'gentle death'. I hope it was for my dad. I know he was not in any pain. It was also very fast and we felt that was merciful. He never knew beforehand that this was on the cards.

I guess the hospice staff won't say anything to your sister as some people don't want that kind of information. I don't think my dad did. I also think they can get it wrong, and so they are often careful. My mum now has pancreatic cancer and I don't think she wants that kind of info either. I guess if you want to know, they will talk to you though.

I hope that this might help in some way and my thoughts and prayers are with you.

brainman · Posted: Tue Nov 10, 2009 1:25 pm Post subject: Re: Sister with Pancreatic cancer

Oh pulmelia, I am so sorry that your sister's condition has worsened this much Sad

. My father too had liver and kidney failure at one time or the other. Fortunately, they were able to reverse those failures. If they are not able to restore function to her liver, your sister may not have long to live Sad

. Is she taking chemotherapy? If she is, her doctors still thing there is a chance to restore function. Stay with her as much as you can. You and your sister are in my thoughts and prayers.
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