Dad Diagnosed at 81 – Ontario, Canada

Hi all, wish I was here to talk about art or travelling to some exciting part of the world, but I’m here looking for support, a place to vent, share information and find answers… my 81 yr old dad was recently diagnosed with bile duct cancer.

Our GP noticed Dad’s (Art) liver enzymes where off, and before we knew it Dad was jaundiced, had dark urine and a light stool. The next day they did a CT scan which showed a tumour, and then later they did an ERCP, along with a brushing biopsy and placement of a stent. The biopsy confirmed their suspicion that it was cancer (colagiocarsinoma). I was sooooo hoping that it was just a gallstone!

It’s just not fair, why him, at this stage in his life… when he should just go peacefully in his sleep (gulp)! Agh, this is torture.

Dad had CT’s and Ultra Sound’s done at the local hospital, which sent us to the first chemo guy. He said we should be seeing a surgeon, and booked us an appointment at one of the biggest Cancer centres in Ontario if not all of Canada, Princess Margaret Hospital, Toronto, ON. I’ve read that surgery is the only cure, so things looked promising.

So off we go to see the surgeon, she runs the same imaging tests and this time an MRI, but tells us that my Dad may not be a good candidate for surgery due to high blood pressure, stable angina, mild kidney failure etc. but was willing to have all this imaging done and then make a decision. Surgery is now NOT an option, as they think it would kill him. The imaging shows that there could be two tumours in the inter-hepatic bile duct, they are not sure if it has metastasized or it’s just a odd shaped tumour.

The surgeon however has sent Dad through the gamut of their oncology department. The radiologist says radiation can be done, but thinks that at this point chemo is the way to go, especially if it has metastasized.

Off we go today to chemo guy #2. He tells us that since Dad is not in any pain, that the liver is being relieved by the stent (he gets a metal one very soon) and that since it’s been a month since the last CT was done, lets get the new stent in place, then do another CT scan to see if there has been any change, and if it has changed then maybe we should but together a plan to start chemo.

The most recent CT was done a 4 weeks ago and it had not changed at all since the CT in January. Based on this they are cautious to say that it’s slow growing.

So this is where we are at, I just wish it was “Never Never Land.” It’s really all up to Dad and how his body holds out now… we think our Parent’s are invincible don’t we.

Thanks for listening and I hope that I’ll be able to help with any info I find and follow up with loads and loads of encouragement. Glad that I found this site.

Dianne