Ascities and coughing

Thank you for the quick reply…as you know, with such little information out there — we only have one another to rely upon.

Yes, we have Lasix in the US but it has done very little for my father. I suppose it works if the ascites was not so severe.

My concern is also that my father is experiencing the same coughing with the vomiting of the white foam as this earlier post, and as I believe you said, your husband did too.

I keep trying to imagine that he will be able to go on and his life will be prolonged with the chemotherapy (Xeloda) that is is taking, however, I loose hope due to the sight of his abdomen, legs and reports of his coughing and vomiting foam.

I am a true believer in that the body is the master of all healers and it is the body that gives us signs of illness…these to me are not good signs.

I am sorry to hear about your husband and just as sorry for anyone who suffers from this horrible illness….my heart goes out to all.

First, I am sorry to hear that you all are suffering in the same way with trying to help a family member or friend deal with this horrible disease.

I write because my father also deals with severe ascites which has now spread to his legs. He has trouble eating due to his distended abdomen and now trouble walking due to the build up of fluid in his legs.

At first he was getting drained at the hospital (first time 5 litres and second time another 5 litres) until finally they decided to place a permanent cathethor in him so that he can “self-drain” at home. This allows him to drain about 1 litre a day (pending his blood pressure).

I was wondering if the ascites was associated with the much later stages (of already late stage) cc. I review the family profiles quite often and see that the other do not suffer from ascites (besides D. Peterson who seems to have the same troubles).

Further, please advise if there is any other relief known besides the draining.

Figen,

I am sorry that you are having this happen with your mother. I am in the same place as you. What I have read is that the ascites puts pressure on the lungs and that causes the cough. It is so difficult to see them throw up all the time. If it were just one symptom or another it would be more tolerable, but it is so many all alt once. I hope you have peace and that your mother doesn’t suffer.
TXGal

It’s a cliche for the living that we should live each day as if it was our last. For those who are near the end of their lives, we the living should try to make sure that every minute is a good one. For me that means having family around me, talking about our lives and feeling loved and cherished.
I am thinking of you and your mother and send you my very best wishes.
P

Hi Figen,
If I were your mother or your father I would want to stay at home and be with the people who care about me and not with strangers however caring they are. At the end my husband had no pain and he was even sitting up and talking the day before. He did not die in his sleep he looked at me very intently as if he wanted to say something to me and then off into the distance as if he was seeing something else not in the room and then he passed away.
We the family are glad he was at home. My doctor said his nightmare is to die in an ambulance on the way to the hospital. Let your father decide and be there to support him, would be my advice.
I understand what your father is going through, I also was with my husband for 38 years and I miss him dreadfully. One of the few consolations in the whole thing is that he was with us at home when he died; he would not have gone into hospital again however serious his situations.
be strong for both your mother and your father.
Take care of yourself
Patricia

My husband had something similar. They did drain the ascities (7 litres) and it made him more comfortable but it recurred within a couple of week, when they drained another 5litres. It did affect him badly making him very weak and unable to eat. The drainage is a very simple procedure and does make the patient more comfortable but it does deprive them of protein and minerals. The drainage can also be a big shock to the system and in my husband’s case he had very low blood pressure as a result. It’s a difficult call.

M also had coughing and brought up frothy clear mucous. These things happened a few days before he died, so it may be as well to prepare yourselves. I hope that your mother will be more comfortable and my thoughts and prayers are with you.