mira
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You’re situation sounds very similar to my father’s (he’s 70 though, much older than your father). He also was too ill with jaundice to receive chemo. For about two months after finding out what he had (phase 4 cc, see my intro “we have had no time”) we waited for the bilirubin levels to come down. Finally, he had another proceedure as it was felt only half his liver was draining, as the other half was cut off from the drainage tube by the tumor. Stents were inserted draining the two “lobes” of the liver into his intestine. Since then his bilirubin levels came down, but not enough for the chomo treatment the oncologist wanted to give him. Your units of measure are different than ours, but he was over 300 at the highest level and then came down to 100, we were told 20 to 30 is normal. We then switched to 5FU as a chemo drug, which can be given with slightly elevated levels (at around 50 to 60).
My father has had his third treatment today. He is so week as his ascites and swollen lower half of his body saps all his strength, but we just aren’t ready to give up just yet. As the oncologist was very frank to say, if the patient) really wishes to continue with the chemo treatment, the doctor will agree to continue. My father is presently in the hospital, receiving care, which at this point is only a draining of the ascites once in a while. But tomorrow we want to bring him home.
At this stage we really don’t know if the chemo is helping him or not. The oncologist warned me that the chemo was only going to maybe help stop the growth or spreading of the tumor, or maybe help the ascites. But my father feels that at this stage, any action against the cancer is better than nothing, especially since we were so anxious to start chemo. One good thing is that there aren’t any side-effects of the drugs themselves that we can’t deal with.
I don’t know if this is helpful, but I just want to give you my little bit of knowledge on the subject. The past two months have been a whirlwind, and I can completely feel for you and your father.
Juster, that was the shot in the arm we really needed. Thank you for sharing your story with me, the situation you are describing sounds exactly like what my father is going through. It helps reassure us that we are making a good decision to continue the chomotherapy. I am so happy for you and your husband and to hear of the precious time you have enjoyed.
The other comments I received earlier also helped me prepare for a conversation with the oncologist yesterday. He has warned me that we should prepare ourselves to the idea that we may not be able to continue the chomtherapy, as my father is very weak. He wants to drain his ascites today to see if this strengthens him. Painkillers are also to be increased to help him gain strength.
It is really a one-day-at-a-time illness. Every day brings new problems and new hopes.
Thanks all
Thank you all for your responses and support. I didn’t realise there was this type of support out there. I will consider all the advice given.
I am definitely going to push that my dad comes home. But I think we will continue the chemo, since we have been so anxious to be able to start. But tomorrow when we meet the oncologist, I will tell him to be open and frank about what we’re getting into.
My dad is so frightened to come home though. The doctors have been helpful during his past 3 week stay at the hospital – They have given him the necessary transfusions to deal with blood loss; Albumin to help reduce his ascites; and medications to deal with pain, help kidney function and reduce nausia. He’s scared that when he comes home, there will be no support to counter his symptoms.
But he does need to be with his family in the familiarity of home. As he has come to realise at this time, the only things that really count when all is said and done, is the love of family and friends.
