Dad, just diagnosed with stage 4...Please help....

Georgie Girl · New User Joined: 10 Feb 2008 Posts: 6

My Dad started feeling ill just before Christmas. His breathing was giving him trouble so his Dr gave him an inhaler and Dad went for an Xray. He was having problems with his bowels at the same time. He was not evacuating as normal and was having discomfort.

After many tests he has been diagnosed with colon cancer with lung and liver mets. He has lost close to 30 pounds since Christmas and is barely eating. The Doctors have him on Ensure {meal replacement} and Gatoraid to keep him hydrated. He is in bed 90 % of the time and is feeling very ill. He is yellow with jaundice and looks very sick. He is a young 81. A healthy strong man until this sickness. He is in some pain, but mostly very nauseated and uncomfortable. He can't sit in a chair no matter how comfortable for very long. He just wants to stay in his bed, where he mostly sleeps.
He is deteriorating before our eyes. He is supposed to see his oncologist next week but told our Mom to hold off on making the appt for another week....
Do you all think he is going to pass soon. I know you can't say for sure only God can, but what do you think we can expect to happen? Do you think his liver shutting down?

I would appreciate any help on what to expect. I think he said to hold off on the appt, because he thinks he is dying.... I think we are going to loose him soon...

I have never witnessed any thing like this, and would appreciate any help.

Thanks,
Georgie Girl... Crying or Very sad

mkabir · New User Joined: 12 Feb 2008 Posts: 1

Hi,
My mom is 70 and she was diagnosed in January with stage 4 of colon cancer....She went through a surgery and doctors removed big piece of tumor but she is suffering from pain...Nobody can help except God...please pray and be strong...All the best...

kabir
_________________
mkabir

brainman

Georgie Girl, I am very sorry about your father's cancer. Colon cancer that has metastasized can be so very terrible. I wrote a reply to another member going through almost the same thing that your father is facing. Rather than typing all of it again (rather lengthy) I will just provide you with a link:

http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?t=8687

I hope this helps.

You and your father are in my thoughts and prayers.
_________________
Jim
Site Administrator and long-term cancer survivor
1992 Astrocytoma grade 2, left motor strip
2005 Recurrence this time said to be an Oligodendoglioma grade 3, same location.
My Story Part 1: http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?p=7350
My Story Part 2: http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?t=8029
Blog http://jimhawkinsport.blogspot.com/

Georgie Girl · New User Joined: 10 Feb 2008 Posts: 6

kabir and Jim,

Thank you for your reply's.

This site is a Godsend. It helps to know that we are not alone in our struggles with this monster.

Georgie Girl · New User Joined: 10 Feb 2008 Posts: 6

My Dad was taken to the Dr. today. He is most uncomfortable with the constant diarrhea so they are setting him up for a colostomy asap. He has a very large tumor in his rectum.

How much surgery is this and what is the recovery like?

They are also setting him up with a palliative doctor right away....

This is all happening so fast...I would appreciate anyone sharing any info on what's in store for us next. I wonder how bad this surgery will be for him.

I know in the end he will be more comfortable, but I am thinking day by day right now.

Thanks in advance.

Georgie Girl · New User Joined: 10 Feb 2008 Posts: 6

My Dad was admitted to the hospital this week. He was dehydrated and had not had a bowel movement in several days. They are keeping him until he goes to hospice.

Tomorrow he is having a colostomy. He is in a great deal of pain. The Dr's kept going on about how dangerous this surgery is and that he may not make it...

I am so sad....Please pray for my Dad. Sad

REB

The best thing you can do is give him support. During the end of last September I was sick for over a week and I didn’t eat for a few days. I found out I had a tumor in my colon that was blocking me up. If I had gone a few more days, I would have most likely died. I was in pretty bad shape. I had lost a lot of blood and I was deathly pale.

After the surgery, I was in a lot of pain. My wife’s and kid’s support helped get me though it. The colostomy also had me depressed.

Then came the first chemo treatment. I got so sick from that first treatment, I almost ended up back in the hospital. I told my wife I just couldn’t do that for 6 months. I was about ready to throw in the towel. By once again, my wife and kids made me go on. Since then, I have not gotten sick like that with the treatments.

Hopefully getting the tumor out will help him. Chemo will be tough for him. I am 41 and it has been a challenge. If I was 81, I honestly don’t know if I would go through with it. I guess it would depend on the odds.

The colostomy will be a big change for your dad and he will need support for that. It really hits your self-image hard.

Having someone there to support you really helps and that is probably the best thing you can do for him. Prayers that you both may find peace and comfort.
_________________
10/01/07 - Removal of Stage III Colon Cancer Tumor and Temporary Colostomy
Started Chemotherapy 11-07-07 - FOLFOX regimen - 5-FU (5 Flurouracil) and leucovorin, oxaliplatin. Also Avastin
Last Chemo treatment 04-09-08, Colostomy Reversal 04-28-08 Age:41

	Cancer Forums Forum Index -> Colon Cancer and Rectal 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