how long to go?

cami · New User Joined: 29 Sep 2006 Posts: 5

My mother in law was diagnosed with secondary tumours on her liver almost a year ago. In the past 6 weeks we've noticed a dramatic decline in her condition- she's lost more weight, her tummy is swollen and she's in bed most of the time. She can't walk for long, she has to go in a wheelchair. She has needed several blood transfusions over the past few weeks, and now her doctors suspect the tumors are bleeding. To add, she now has DVT so they can't use anticoagulants- they've said there's nothing more to do. We have family interstate but are not sure whether to get them here to say their goodbyes. Has anybody got any advice as we really don't know how much time she has?

MPapailiou · Posted: Mon Oct 02, 2006 7:15 am Post subject: Re: how long to go?

Why don't you take the doctors' opinion on this one?
I think that would the best think to do.

You will find more information on this on other messages in this forum.

My deepest sympathy,

Mandy
_________________
Mandy
Daughter of Jean, who passed away on May '06, 9 months after diagnosis (NSCLC IV, with liver and bone metastasis)

Our spirits are eternal. Keep the chin up!

cami · New User Joined: 29 Sep 2006 Posts: 5

Hi Mandy, thanks for your reply. I have read all your posts and my sympathy is with you too. This forum has been really helpful. I know that as far as treatments go, there is nothing more to be done- she's tried everything. We have accepted that in the next few weeks my mother in law will die. Just wondering about how long that will actually take. Guess it's like asking how long is a piece of string?! Hard to tell as one day she seems not so great and the next she feels ok. We just want to be there for her when it happens.
Has anyone got any advice on kids? I have 2 girls age almost 6 & 3. We have been totally honest about this illness since she was diagnosed a year ago and my 6 year old is aware that she will soon die. She seems pretty casual (but defensive) when we have mentioned this, although she adores her grandmother. However while my mother in law has had a rapid decline over the last 6-8 weeks we've seen a change in my older daughter's behaviour- bad tempered, explosive and often mean to her little sister. Not sure how to handle this.

cami · New User Joined: 29 Sep 2006 Posts: 5

My mother-in-law passed away peacefully at 130 this morning with her children and husband by her side.

MPapailiou · Posted: Wed Oct 25, 2006 9:40 am Post subject: Re: how long to go?

I'm so sorry.

I send you my deepest thoughts and sympathy.

Concerning your kids, my nephews (7 and 10) have had similar reactions. The younger one "got over" it faster, while the older one still finds it hard sometimes.

My sister - their mother - tried to be very open with my older nephew. She encouraged him to "talk" with his grandmother, write her letters saying to her how he feels, read to him books about life and death, express his anger considering death.

Great books for kids about these matters are written by Dr Elizabeth Kubler Ross (http://www.elisabethkublerross.com/). She has worked with kids with cancer, talking to them about "life after life", nevertheless my sister found 1-2 of her books very helpful for her son's case also.

I wish you strength,

Mandy
_________________
Mandy
Daughter of Jean, who passed away on May '06, 9 months after diagnosis (NSCLC IV, with liver and bone metastasis)

Our spirits are eternal. Keep the chin up!

jackiekeefe · Regular Joined: 26 Oct 2006 Posts: 17

My father was dx about 3 weeks ago with cholangiocarcinoma(bild duct).
He also has gliomablastoma multiforme (brain cancer). I know what everyone is thinking 2 cancers! Yep my dad has 2 type of cancers could it be any worse? yes! neither one is curable but only one can be treated which is the brain cancer because most impact on quality of life, so in the meantime the other cancer will continue to grow and spread and cause problems to his liver and other organs.

My question if anyone knows is he just had his labs done yesterday and his Alkaline Phosphatase was 335, normal being between 39-117, i am not sure what exactly that means! Can someone explain to me.

Thanks.

	Cancer Forums Forum Index -> Liver Cancer Forum	All times are GMT - 5 Hours
Page 1 of 1

A website for discussions about any type of cancer, including lung cancer, breast cancer, mesothelioma, prostate cancer, laryngeal cancer, leukemia, lymphoma, multiple myeloma and others