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I have no idea if she would be a candidate, but you might want to investigate sirspheres treatment. Mary England is the nurse for Dr. Andrew Kennedy in Cary, NC. They are most helpful. I wish you luck on your journey.
Wake Radiology Oncology
300 Ashville Avenue
Suite 110
Cary, NC 27518
(919) 854-4588
Toll-Free 1-800-675-2232
info@wakeoncology.comElm,
I am sorry you are dealing with all this, but if it is any consolation we have all been there ourselves.
While easier said, you cannot allow yourself to feel guilty. Your mom knows you love her and understands that you have other commitments that won’t allow you sit vigil. I just finished going through the scrambling part of this process where I felt like I could get one corner nailed down and another came loose. You have to tell your mind to stop. Your mom would not want you to feel guilty and in fact, would tell everyone how wonderful and supportive her children are being to her.
As far as hospice, it is never too early. My dad put it off as long as he could because it was an admission of the end being near. But, those folks are wonderful and early on it is much like a house call from a family member. Then, when you need them, they are already familiar and can absolutely get things done that seem heaven sent at the time.
Please take care of yourself and your family. It is what your mom would want the most,
Jan
Hi Victoria,
My dad is 87 and he was diagnosed in October 2008. He tried chemo embolization (one successfully, one not). I researched all types of treatments, even trials. The bottom line for my dad was quality of life and he elected not to pursue treatment.
There are a number of folks on here with loved ones younger and stronger than ours who didn’t make it through treatment as long as my dad has lived without it. A good friend of mine is a nurse and she was quite adamant with me that if it were her father, she would not advise him to do it.
That said, it is his own very personal decision. I remember being somewhat disappointed that Dad did not pursue anything, but watching him try to recover from a simple laprascopic biopsy was an eye opener. My dad has outlived his prognosis (a couple of them actually) but his body is starting to fail him. It is the natural progression of this disease. In retrospect, I am pleased with his decision. It has allowed us time to make good memories, not spend what time left recovering from treatments only to possibly gain time that we probably already had.
Good luck to you and your dad,
Jan
Hi Dee,
You can search “simvastatin” and see a few discussions on this. My father has been on simvastatin for a long time and was diagnosed with CC last October.
Similar discussions on risk factors have included eating artificial sweeteners, high sugar intake, diet containing lots of fried foods and heavy drinkers, especially those who quit years ago.
Jan
Our friend had developed symptoms in the last month or so, a drastically different CC experience than ours thus far. I looked at my dad when we were alone and said sometimes you’re luckier than you think. He said yep.
I had searched for posts on Farrah and was surprised there had been no discussion. I admire her courage in putting that out there for people to see. She was, indeed, a valiant woman.
Hi Stan,
I am sorry to hear about your father. My father is the reason I am here also. This is one of the most unpredictable diseases there is. In addition to being rare and complex, it seems to never work the same way twice.
I wish your family peace and strength,
Jan
you should check this one out. My dad wasn’t a candidate because of his age, but it really sounds promising.
http://www.cnn.com/2009/HEALTH/06/22/liver.cancer.perfusion/index.html
Onlygirl,
Your dad is amazing! And lucky to have such dedicated children. I have no experience with radiation, but my 87 yo father has CC. Surgery was not an option, but he did so poorly with a laprascopic biopsy that in hindsight I am glad we didn’t have to debate a surgery option.
Your father has to make decisions about quality and quantity. He has fared incredibly well so far. I would get as much info as you can from more than one source about the side effects of radiation.Good luck!
Jan
Kris,
I understand you didn’t get exactly what you hoped, but overall it sounds like good news and Lord knows that with CC, we will take all the good we can get. I will keep thinking positive thoughts for surgery being an option!
Jan
Stephy, Lainy, Devon, John, Pam — Thanks for the replies. I spoke with the nurse today who suggested Megace but the doctor wants to wait until his appointment next week. In the meantime, my dad is forcing small meals and drinking an Ensure or two a day. Unfortunately, I think he is a little scared because he knows that his body is failing. Very sad stuff this cancer business. I had hoped to take him on a short trip this weekend, but he isn’t up to it. Guess we’ll shoot for next week.
Devon, my father is bald so he might welcome the extra hair growth!
IIRC Megace is a steroid too?John, thanks for the Ritalin suggestion. I will ask about that. And I love your photography on your blog.
