cinnamin
Forum Replies Created
-
Posts
-
My Dad experienced horrible hiccups…..he had them for hours at a stretch. And then we discovered that taking a drink of pineapple juice took them away! You can buy it in small cans, it stores forever, tastes good, and best of all it works!
Best wishes,
JanetHi Steve,
I’m so sorry Nancy and you are going through this. My 78 year old Dad was diagnosed in November last year, and has since gone through resection surgery and started chemo. We are in San Diego also, and have the most tremendous Drs at UCSD. As for how Nancy feels about asking questions, I get it. My Dad was the same way. The first time he looked up cc on the internet, he was so depressed. He refused to look again, and left all research up to me. All along I tell him what I’ve discovered, but always with a positive slant. I go to all of his appointments with him and my Mom, and always tell them ahead of time what questions need to be answered. I AM on his directive and I’m his medical proxie, so his Drs are used to me asking questions.Dr. Hemming is truly a miracle worker at UCSD. My Dad was initially told no surgery, then Dr. Hemming stepped in and said yes! He and his main nurse Doug Elmore have always gone above and beyond. They spend as much time as you need answering questions, and are always reachable. Doug even returned a phone call within 5 minutes when he was out of town doing army reserve duty!
You can read our journey under my name. Bottom line is….NEVER give up hope. Don’t stay away from consultations, she needs you! Let Nancy be your guide. She’ll let you know when, or if she’s ready for the tough questions.
Feel free to contact me. Take care, and know that a whole bunch of people are pulling for you and NancyJanet
Had our appointment today. Great news, his ANC is WAY up! We decided to proceed with chemo, just take out the oxaliplatin. Going to wait for 2-3 weeks so my Dad can recover a bit. If he still has issues, we have more options. Dr. Fanta, our oncologist, made my Dad feel good about continuing treatment….which is awesome! He was ready to throw the towel in and say NO MAS. We the family want to give him the best possible chance, but it is ultimately HIS decision.
What a journey…….thanks again for taking it with us
Thanks, Marion. My Dad is certainly a trooper! We completely agree that he needs a break from chemo. His body needs some serious healing. During this recent hospital stay, the Oncologist told us that roughly 8% of people cannot tolerate chemo and have this extreme reaction like he did. They believe he falls in this group. Tomorrow we go in to talk about this…….will be interesting to see what they have to say! Regardless, I know we are not keeping that infusion appointment this Friday.
Will update after tomorrow!
Hello and welcome to the group!Sounds like our Dads are in about the same spot. My Dad’s surgery was on Feb 3rd. He also has clean margins and clean lymph nodes. Chemo and/or radiation is being set up for my Dad. We asked his surgeon what HE would do, and he flat out told us that if it were him, he would go through chemo. As he said, IF the cancer came back there is nothing left to work on surgically. We feel extremely lucky that Dad was able to get through surgery, and we had already decided that chemo/radiation would be our next step after surgery. We had a check up today, and will meet with the oncologist next week to start whatever treatment they think best.
Best of luck to you and your family! Not an easy choice, but I know whatever you decide will be rightHello Sharon, My Dad’s feet and legs swelled right after his surgery. His feet were so swollen they turned purple. He was also given Lasix, but I’m not convinced that’s what took the swelling down. I actually massaged his feet a couple of times a day, and that brought him some relief and took the purple out. We also used the Teds…support tights for his legs and feet.
Keep us posted, and best wishes to you and your husband!
Janet
Holy cow……….so much to deal with!!! Hang in there my friend, you’ve found the BEST place for support and answers. I hope you keep us updated on your Moms. Warm thoughts and prayers to your family
Janet
Hello Harmony. Let me add my welcome to all of the others! Please please please keep posting and keeping it real. I’ve found it so very helpful to read about what actually happens when dealing with this. Makes the future seem less scary somehow.
Happy birthday to your son, and keep striding forward! All the best to you
Janet
Hello Bob, and welcome to the group. Your Dad’s story sounds similar to my Dad’s. He’s 78, was diagnosed a couple of months ago. You can read his still developing story under my name. I’m so sorry you and your family are going through this, and I’m glad you found this site. Everyone here is extremely helpful and supportive. My best advice is to learn, learn, learn and brace yourself for a fight! I have found it reassuring to have an idea of what’s around the corner. It’s made me a much better advocate for my Dad, and kept me strong for him. Feel free to ask any questions!!
SO happy the stents are working. My thoughts are with your Dad and you
Janet
Thanks again to everyone! It’s such a blessing to be able to talk to people who have been or are going through this.
A short update: Dad came home from the hospital, which thrilled all of us. My Dad told his surgeon “Get me out of here before you kill me!” and Dr. Hemming agreed. Dad picked up a nasty infection that they cannot control as of yet, despite all of the antibiotics. It attached itself to the staples of his incision. They ended up taking the staples out, leaving an open wound. It has to be cleaned and packed daily. He started retaining fluids, and his feet swelled to almost 3 times their normal size, making it difficult and painful to walk. They gave him lasix for the fluid….but he is a 78 year old man with prostate problems and a gaping wound across his belly. In their infinite wisdom they pulled his cath at the same time. More problems with his veins refusing any more IVs, so they gave him a PICC line.
Soooo, while he is at home, we had to have home health care services. He still needs antibiotics via IV 3 times daily, and that wonderful open would needs treating. My Mom and I have learned how to do the IV, but a nurse comes once a day to change dressings and make sure we are doing everything right.
Dad is very tired and having a rough time eating. If you remember, he was hospitalized for a week right before this stay, and on NPO orders the whole time. No food until 5 days after this surgery, so now his stomach has shrunk and he fills up so fast. I keep coming up with protein alternatives that won’t fill him so fast, and he is walking around his house as much as he can. He’s very frustrated because he was so very active before this vile cancer.
We are pretty darn sure that chemo is still in the immediate future. Just have to get him strong enough to do it. While the surgery was incredible and much needed, it was only the beginning. There’s still a very long road ahead of us. I have faith that we WILL make it through all of this!
Any suggestions on getting food down him will be greatly appreciated. Thanks again for everything…….you are the best group around!
Janet
Hello Marianne, Your story is so similar to mine! My Dad is 78, was diagnosed in December, told he was in operable, and then we found THE man for us. My Dad’s surgery to remove the tumor was last week, and successful! What part of Ca are you in? We are in San Diego. Look under my nickname to read about my Dad.
Best of luck to your Dad and family. Please keep us posted!Janet
Such a lot you and your Mom have been through! She is indeed a miracle…thank you so much for sharing her story. My Dad just completed the surgical part of his journey, so it is very encouraging to read of such successes.
I wish strength, health, and continued success!Best wishes,
JanetHello Margaret, My Dad is fighting the good fight too! Diagnosed in late November, told he was inoperable. Had stints put in, then an external stint after a major infection. And the best news….2 days ago he had a liver resection. His wonderful surgeon, Dr. Hemming in San Diego, thinks he got it all with clean margins. Still waiting for confirmation from lab results. He’s still in the ICU, but doing good. You and Tom just keep on kicking! Know that I’m right there beside you cheering you onward.
Janet
Kris, you are such a source of inspiration! I am praying for the best possible outcome for you, whatever decision you make. I’ll be in your corner smiling and cheering you onward
Janet
My Dad had his surgery yesterday. I do believe they took the right lobe and both bile ducts. He withstood the surgery very well, and they THINK they got it all with clean margins. Not a lot of detail right now, because my Mom talked to the surgeon on the phone. What she heard was “Blah blah blah he is alive blah blah blah think we got it all blah blah blah…”
I talked with my Dad a little in ICU last night. He looks and sounds fantastic for a 78 year old man who just had half his liver ripped out! I’m sure I will find more detail today. Will post when I know more!
A great big THANK YOU to all of you for the support and information. Both have been invaluable.
Now……onto the road for recovery
