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Chemo or Palliative care? What is this ?

 
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Tam
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Joined: 11 Aug 2008
Posts: 5
Location: Winnipeg, Manitoba
PostPosted: Sun Sep 07, 2008 8:36 pm    Post subject: Chemo or Palliative care? Reply with quote
I have a question, when is it too late to take chemotherapy? My dad has stage 4 pancreatic cancer metastasized to the liver, his liver is no longer working properly, he is very confused, sleeps 90 % of the day and is pretty lost for the 5 % he is awake he has lost 45 pounds in the past two months, he can't walk farther than the bathroom and then he needs to take break.

The doctor estimates between 2 and 4 months, my dad got sick 2 months ago. We don't think he has a lot of time left, and he keeps asking me and the rest of the family what he should do.

Does anyone have experiences with chemo when is this far advanced, and the patient is this weak? He doesn't want to spend what time there is left suffering from chemo, and in my province you can't be palliative and receive treatment at the same time, you are either or. The doctor seemed to be suggesting that chemo can improve his quality of life for what time there is left, even though it won't statistically change the amount of time he has left. (from saying statistically I am guessing that chemo can either lengthen or shorten the time left and leaves the average about the same.)

What do you know about chemo and how strong a person needs to be to benefit from it?
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LOVE4MOMMA
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Joined: 22 Jul 2008
Posts: 46
Location: Kentucky
PostPosted: Mon Sep 08, 2008 9:47 am    Post subject: Re: Chemo or Palliative care? Reply with quote
My mom has stage 4 pancreatic cancer with liver mets also and she is taking palliative chemo. She is still able to get around pretty good. Dr. has her pain under control pretty good too. She takes 2 or 3 naps a day. She doesn't have any side effects from the chemo. Although everyone is different. The chemo she takes is called Gemzar ( or Gemcitabine). They are thinking about putting her on a daily chemo pill as well called Tarceva. She has pretty good quality of life right now. Hope this helps some.

I will keep your dad, you and your family in my prayers.
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Crystal
I love my momma!!

http://www.carepages.com/carepages/Cynthia
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