katja
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Thanks Andie, I really hope so too.
The funny thing about my dad’s jaundice was that for quite a while it actually suited him – people used to ask if he’d been on holiday. Obviously we all prefer him much paler!
I’ve just remembered your earlier post about other surgeons/oncologists. We could not fault the treatment at St James in Leeds. Prof Lodge is (I believe) the head of the HPB (Hepatico-Pancreatic-Biliary or something…) team and mainly does liver transplants. Mr Menon and Mr Smith both come really highly recommended for bile duct/pancreatic surgery. Mr Menon’s whipple on my dad has been absolutely perfect so far.
Hi Andie
My dad’s numbers were the same as yours and it’s true – it took ages to lose his yellow tinge. One doc said it might take the same amount of time to go as it took to accumulate – about 6 weeks in my dad’s case.As Kris says, drinking LOADS of water is vital as this is the only way to flush it out.
I hope that he continues with his good appetite.
KateSo sorry to hear of your dad’s suffering Matilda. It must be very difficult for you and your brother if your dad is finding it hard and the doctors are not communicating very well. Try to force the issue by taking him to the emergency department if you can?
I’m very much hoping he (and you) gets some relief and answers soon.
KateThinking of you and your family at this impossible time, your mum obviously has lots of love around her. Hoping she gets some relief and there are hospice or palliative options.
Kate
Hiya,
Cirrhosis is a ‘cover all’ term which means scarring on the liver. This is what people who drink a lot get, but it can also happen by other reasons. I think the cirrhosis could cause the swelling (fluid retention). The Lasix should be able to relieve the swelling though. He may not be passing urine frequently?
Is he any better now – I would hope you see the results of the Lasix quickly.
Regards
KateI completely agree, Patty. When my dad was dangerously jaundiced he said it was a completely bizarre feeling but the he could feel his liver giving up a little. The surgeon called it ‘the body’s engine’. We rely on it so much, but give it so little regard.
I have a friend who’s a nurse and she said that statins and cholestorol lowering meds are notorious for causing jaundice/liver problems. Even in the UK, where it’s probably not so much about pushing the medication, doctors are prescribing cholesterol meds to pretty much anyone.
I wonder if they have the same situation in Europe. Perhaps mediterranean countries have less of a cholesterol problem?
Diane
You’re so right, we think our parents are invincible and it’s the hardest thing to realise they are not. Especially when they are trying to protect us from the knowledge.
Is your dad going to wait to decide about chemo? Would they be giving him Gem/Cis?
Stay strong for him.
KateI didn’t manage to get home in time to listen in, hoping there will be a recording posted sometime? I really wanted to hear what was said, I’m sure it will have been interesting.
KateSo sad to hear they couldn’t go ahead. Did they manage to mark the tumours for possible radiation as they’d thought?
You’re all on my mind – I never pray but I have been talking to someone… Hoping you can recover and there are other options.
Thanks Helen,
I’d be interested to read your findings, especially from the point of view of someone with a strong family history of CC, living in a rural environment!
KateMy dad was on statins/cholesterol lowering drugs, which they promptly took him off when he became jaundiced.
I think they try to get pretty much anyone on them these days. My uncle who’s a doctor said that the ‘normal’ cholesterol level has got lower and lower in his 40 years in medicine and now people are on meds who would never have been years ago.
Dawna, I agree with Lainy, it would be helpful to you to be in on the consultations. Even the most ‘on the ball’ person doesn’t remember exactly how a doctor puts things, even a slight difference in a reported sentence can totally change your perspective (I remember there were three of us in a consultation and no one could remember if the doc used the word ‘probably’ or ‘possibly’ but the implication was huge).
It sounds as if the docs are being fairly aggressive though – when you say unsuccessful surgery does this mean the bile duct tumour was not removed? My dad had a spot on his liver which they said they thought was benign. Just wondering if they removed any of the cancer/lymph nodes?Kate
Will be thinking of you all day. My sincere best wishes for success and lets hope the surgeons are on top form!
