My dad has been diagnosed

Cisco's Daughter · Regular Joined: 12 Jul 2007 Posts: 19

..I'm in shock and having heart palpitations. My dad has been diagnosed with liver cancer. We don't know the particulars yet but he's already wasting away before our eyes.

oh gosh can't talk now, later sorry

brainman · Posted: Thu Jul 12, 2007 2:21 pm Post subject: Re: My dad has been diagnosed

Cisco's Daughter, my heart is breaking right now for you and your father!! Please, keep us informed. I can only imagine how difficult all of this must be for you right now Sad

.

Some questions you might what to ask his medical team are:

1. Is this a primary Hepatic cancer or a metastasis from some other location?
2. Specifically, what type of liver cancer is it?
3. What is the grade of the cancer?
4. What is its size?
5. Specifically, where is it located?
6. and, of course, what are his options for treatment?

I know you feel overwhelmed right now. I hope this list of questions can help you organize your thoughts.

You and your father are in my thoughts and prayers.
_________________
Jim
Site Administrator and long-term cancer survivor
1992 Astrocytoma grade 2, left motor strip
2005 Recurrence this time said to be an Oligodendoglioma grade 3, same location.
My Story Part 1: http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?p=7350
My Story Part 2: http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?t=8029
Blog http://jimhawkinsport.blogspot.com/

Cisco's Daughter · Regular Joined: 12 Jul 2007 Posts: 19

Thank you thank you!!!! I'm at a total loss of what to ask the doctor. My mom is depending so much on me and I don't want to let her or my dad down.
I'm 41 years old and the oldest of 4 but I've been reduced to a blubbering mess of nerves and tears (I only fall apart when I'm by myself--I can't fall apart on them, especially when I see my dad's sweet trusting face looking at me for information). So I'm printing this list and taking it with me next week... I couldn't go to this doctor's visit with them when he was told about the cancer--I left them to their own devices unfortunately and my poor parents were totally left shellshocked and blitzed by the doctor's cold prognosis for my dad. I'll be there this time and the future visits to the doctors to buffer some of this overload of medical info.

Thanks again..I'm so glad I found this forum.

brainman · Posted: Thu Jul 12, 2007 3:06 pm Post subject: Re: My dad has been diagnosed

Hi again,

You will soon find out, if you have not already, that you have many, many questions. I just gave you some of the main ones. What I always suggest to patient and/or their care providers is to keep a medical journal. In that journal, write all your questions as they come up. Then take the journal to his appointments. I can't even begin to tell you how easy it is for an important question to fly out of my mind when the doctor walks into the room! Keeping a journal has been a great help for me!

You might also need to ask your father to specifically tell his medical team that you can have access to his medical records so that you can obtain copies of his test results.

Again, I do not want to overwhelm you... just to support you during this awful time!
_________________
Jim
Site Administrator and long-term cancer survivor
1992 Astrocytoma grade 2, left motor strip
2005 Recurrence this time said to be an Oligodendoglioma grade 3, same location.
My Story Part 1: http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?p=7350
My Story Part 2: http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?t=8029
Blog http://jimhawkinsport.blogspot.com/

laupw · Posted: Fri Jul 13, 2007 7:26 am Post subject: Re: My dad has been diagnosed

Hello,
I'm deeply sorry to hear of this. As outlined by other response, go through the points outlined in it.

Talk to your younger sisters and brothers about the circumstances; this helps to ease some of the burden on you - everyone needs to be involve helping each other.

Most importantly, try and comfort your mother.

I am sure you are doing your utmost to help your father.

Once again, i know how you feel.

Regards,

Philip

Cisco's Daughter · Regular Joined: 12 Jul 2007 Posts: 19

We are going on the 25th to the Dr. with my dad...I guess it's to tell him what stage he is at, life expectancy, etc. I'm scared! Crying or Very sad

But I'm so glad to find help and support on this forum.

laupw · Posted: Fri Jul 20, 2007 1:59 am Post subject: Re: My dad has been diagnosed

I'm not sure if this is the appropriate time, but you may want to ask the doctor about a drug call Nexavar, depending on how advance this HCC is.

Any other feedback from users or relatives would be welcome.

My thoughts are with your family.

Philip

	Cancer Forums Forum Index -> Liver Cancer Forum	All times are GMT - 5 Hours
Page 1 of 1

A website for discussions about any type of cancer, including lung cancer, breast cancer, mesothelioma, prostate cancer, laryngeal cancer, leukemia, lymphoma, multiple myeloma and others