Knowing the last 6 months

Lauren · New User Joined: 01 Jul 2005 Posts: 3

The Canadian federal government recently created the opportunity for family members faced with a dying relative, and the need/desire to be off work to care for them, to recover lost wages for a maximum of 6 weeks. I won't go into details, but suffice it to say that in order to access this opportunity, a physician's note is required stipulating that the ill family member is expected to die within a 6 month period. Now to my dilemma.

My father was diagnosed with pancreatc cancer exactly one year ago. He was aware of the percentages of death within the year but has to date beat those odds. He recieves palliative chemotherapy every 3 weeks and battles with blood clots in his urine and constipation. He has grown very thin, weak and sleeps 12 hours per day now. Hs biggest complaint is lack of concentration which negates his pleasur in reading and even conversing for any length of time. Despite this his spirits ae generally good. He manages to eat several small high calorie and nutritious meals, goes for short walks, and maintains pain with Tylenol 3s every 4 hours.

I worked up the courage to ask my Dad if I could join him at his next physician appointment to interpret the latest CAT scan, explaining to him all but the time line to death piece of the Compassionate Care Leave. He indicated that his doctor will not tell what time he has left - never has when asked. Instead he says "Every one is different."

So, my questions are, What does this terrible disease look like in the end? How does it progress? What are the complicating factors Ineed to prepare my family for? How can I know when to push the doctor?

I thank you in advance for your support.

Liza · New User Joined: 02 Jul 2005 Posts: 8 Location: Florida

Lauren,

I'm so sorry for what you're going through. I lost a family member to pancreatic cancer just about a year ago. He was 53 when diagnosed and survived 3 years from his diagnosis (he had the Whipple procedure but refused almost all of the chemo). I would suggest that you see if getting hospice involved is appropriate. They could answer your questions and help your family through this difficult time.

Liza
_________________
Dx 10/04
IDC stage 1, grade 3
ER/PR+, Her2/neu positive
lumpectomy w/ SNB, 0/4
Dose-dense chemo, 4 A/C, 4 Taxol/Herceptin
rads 35 tx w/ boost
Herceptin 1 yr, Arimidex 5 yrs

Lauren · New User Joined: 01 Jul 2005 Posts: 3

Thanks for the comfort and suggestion re: hospice. I'll check it out. I visited my Dad on Saturday and he's now reporting shortness of breath at times. A friend suggested that this could be related to the placement of the pancreatic cancer and it's restriction on heart function. I hadn't read that and wondered if it had metasticized to the lungs. My Dad should be getting repeat CAT scan results soon. Perhaps we'll know more then. Thanks for listening. Lauren,

I'm so sorry for what you're going through. I lost a family member to pancreatic cancer just about a year ago. He was 53 when diagnosed and survived 3 years from his diagnosis (he had the Whipple procedure but refused almost all of the chemo). I would suggest that you see if getting hospice involved is appropriate. They could answer your questions and help your family through this difficult time.

Liza[/quote]

Nadia · Posted: Mon Aug 15, 2005 10:05 pm Post subject: Re: Knowing the last 6 months

Hi Lauren,

Just wondering how your dad is doing? I would also like to know the answers to the very same questions you pose...regarding the end? Do YOU know what your dad's prognosis is?

Is your dad in a lot of pain? Do the Tylenol's work? My dad is taking Oxycontin every 12 hrs and Oxycodone for breakthough.

Where in Canada do you live...I'm also Canadian, from Montreal.

Hang in there,

Nadia

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