wildyellowrose
New User
Joined: 25 Oct 2007
Posts: 4
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 Posted: Sat Jan 26, 2008 1:32 pm Post subject: Husband has bile duct cancer |
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I would like to thank everyone for their posts, it is helpful to understand what to do next or what our loved ones are going through. Last year in July my husband was complaining after he ate he felt full and bloated and after he ate was in pain. Our son was in Iraq and we thought maybe he had ulcers or some stomach problems, he started to lose weight quickly.
I finally got him to the doctor in late July, he was in great health, no signs at all, he is in his early 50"s. So we went back and forth to our family doctor several times, I knew there was a problem, my healthy husband has lost 20 lbs in one month and was exhausted. In Sept after a cat scan they found lesions in the liver, next mri, bone scan and then biopsey. By this time we are seeing an onacologist. By October they first diagnosed liver cancer, 8 inch tumer in upper lobe with 4 more in lower. No operations are possible. After our wonderful doctor kept persisting in more tests, because the liver test was positive for cancer, negative for primary. Finally they decide the primary is his bile duct. My understanding is that the primary is very important for the type of treatment they receive. He started on Chemo in Nov. and had 3 weeks and then in Dec the same. Dec. 27 we saw the Dr. after another scan, the tumors had grown. Also now he has inlarged lymph nodes in stomach and lungs and a spot on his sternum. The Dr. took him off Chemo, it just wasn't working. Our son came home in Aug, and now in Jan he has been sent back to Iraq, we got to see him for two weeks before he was sent to his state side station. All our children are grown, some realize how dire this situation is, but 2 are in denial, this is going to shock them. My wonderful healthy husband has now lost 40 lbs, and is still working when he can, he will not give up. Now fluid is being drained every week, 6lbs the first time, 11 lbs this week, and it looks like it is building right back up. He is going in for an experimental trial next week, we hope it gives him more time, but he is in so much pain now, he stays druged up when he is home, I would say this may be his last week to work. He just wants to feel normal, not say home and think about dying.
I say to all reading this, go see your loved one, take off work, give up what you have to, be there for them. I am losing my husband young, I want to spend every moment with him I can, tomorrow you can clean house or go to the movies, have no regrets. I buried my mother 15 years ago with cancer, I lived in another state and drove to see my mom 12 hours away or flew constantly, yes, I cost me dearly, but I have no regrets, I did what I could, I loved her.
Unless this experimental treatment works, his days are numbered. So far nothing has stopped the spread. I read the posts and it looks like may a few more weeks, but hopefully the treatment will give us more time. We are lucky we are only an hour from Karmanos Cancer Center, they have been wonderful to us. This is so hard to write, but maybe it will help someone else. I nagged and pushed my husband to the Dr, and pushed again when the test showed nothing, I just knew something was wrong. We never expected the prognosis, 3 to 9 months at best, he has made it 7, we are looking for a miracle, they do happen, every day is a gift. I am not sure if I can write a post again, my prayers are with everyone reading this, it mean you are going through the same thing. |
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