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Queensland Girl
Regular
Joined: 17 Oct 2007
Posts: 40
Location: Australia
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 Posted: Wed Oct 17, 2007 10:25 pm Post subject: Liver Cancer in the Family |
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Hello,
13 years ago my Mother died from a secondary liver cancer. She was operated on, had half her liver removed, did a month of agressive chemotherapy and then came home to die. It was very traumatic for the whole family as her treatment was conducted nearly 2000km away from home.
Now my Father has recently been diagnosed with secondary liver cancer, his tumours are inoperable and has already had 5 rounds of chemotherapy. He is in tremendous pain and is no longer the strong virile man I always knew him to be. Just these last few weeks he developed fluid in the abdomen which was drained last week.
So my question to the forum is:
Is the fluid build up a sign that he is losing the battle? I know that his condition is terminal, but I was hoping that he would see Christmas. Unfortunately we live nearly 700km away from him, and our circumstances prevent us visiting regularly.
Thank you.
PS My GP has now urged me to have a voluntary colonoscopy, and I suggest everyone touched by liver cancer should also think about it. |
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leo
Site Admin
Joined: 23 Sep 2004
Posts: 1574
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| Posted: Thu Oct 18, 2007 9:30 am Post subject: Re: Liver Cancer in the Family |
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Hello,
Sorry to hear about your family. Regarding the fluid buildup, it can be a sign that things are not going well. But I would discuss this with his physician to hear some thoughts.
best
Leo
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Leonardo F - Webmaster Cancer Forums
Disclaimer: this information is for informational purposes only. It is not medical advice. |
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Queensland Girl
Regular
Joined: 17 Oct 2007
Posts: 40
Location: Australia
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| Posted: Mon Oct 29, 2007 9:12 pm Post subject: Liver cancer in the falily - update |
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Hello Again,
My Dad went for his last check up on Friday just gone to get the abdominal fliud drained and to review the efficacy of his chemo.
He got the news that we had been dreading. They have decided to stop his chemo as it is no use. He had fliud drained and was sent home. I haven't been able to talk with Dad yet as he is too devastated.
It seems my family is not very lucky. |
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In
Site Admin
Joined: 18 Jul 2007
Posts: 1309
Location: AUSTRALIA
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| Posted: Mon Oct 29, 2007 10:09 pm Post subject: Re: Liver Cancer in the Family |
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Hi Queensland Girl (fellow Aussie)
I'm so sorry about your Dad, Family and mostly you.
Will your dad be in as much pain as he has been, with the chemo etc. ? Hopefuly he will be more comfortable for what it's worth. Spend time with him, make him smile. Remember the good times, The "Daddy and his little girl" times.
Stay Strong. Let him lead you. Take Care, and remember we are here for you.
_________________
Thinking of you Inica
*Administrator*
~Nose Cancer~
~Car Accident- Broken Back, Ribs, Spleen
Sternum~
~Continous Cervical Cancer~
My Story-
http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?t=6731
 9 Lives and still kicking |
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Queensland Girl
Regular
Joined: 17 Oct 2007
Posts: 40
Location: Australia
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| Posted: Tue Nov 06, 2007 12:01 am Post subject: Liver Cancer in the Family |
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Hi There,
Dad is in less pain now, but his swelling is increased. He is scheduled to have a shunt installed this week and is finally on diuretics.
We have been given a couple of months as of last week, so we are optimistic for a final Christmas as a family.
Thanks again for your support. |
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Woodrow
New User
Joined: 08 Nov 2007
Posts: 3
Location: California
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| Posted: Thu Nov 08, 2007 12:26 pm Post subject: Re: Liver Cancer in the Family |
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Very sorry to hear your father's story.
It's important to distinguish between liver cancer proper, and metastatic cancer that migrated to the liver...which is the body's great filter for these things. As such, your father might not have "liver cancer" at all, though his liver is obviously afflicted.
In the old days, laypeople failed to make this distinction. As such, I heard as a boy that my great aunt passed away from "liver cancer." That was decades ago.
As you have suggested that liver cancer runs in your family, I therefore question that assumption entirely. That you have been recommended for colonoscopy implies some sort of familial risk for colorectal cancer. A colonoscopy is worthless for screening for liver cancer, per se. But it is extremely valuable for catching colorectal polyps, and even tumors, before the situation becomes dire. Thanks to this recent widespread respect for colonoscopies, colorectal carcinoma incidence is falling.
There are some far-fetched risks with colonoscopy...1/1700 chance of puncture of the bowel wall, for example, when I read these numbers 5 years ago. Also, there was a hubbub about dirty endoscopes passing HPV. None of this stopped me. I know that the statistical upside greatly outweighs the downside. You can Google these risk factors.
Best of luck to you and your dad. |
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ksplat
Moderator
Joined: 26 Apr 2007
Posts: 464
Location: Brisbane, Australia
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| Posted: Thu Nov 08, 2007 6:24 pm Post subject: Re: Liver Cancer in the Family |
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Hi there Queensland Girl (fellow Qlder here),
So sorry to hear of your Dad's prognosis. The positive of course is that you have more time to create the most beautiful memories with him, especially at Christmas time.
Will all of the family be together for this time? I pray this will happen & your Dad will be happy & comforted to have all his loved ones around.
It is so hard losing a loved one such as a parent & you have already suffered this heartbreak with your Mum. I am so very sorry for that.
My gorgeous Dad passed away last year (Valentine's Day) & his passing has left a great hole in my heart. I remember him as being ill & debilitated for so many of his later years & this is hard.
As I said you have the opportunity now to create the most beautiful memories & I suggest you get to it straight away!
You are in my thoughts & prayers.
Cheers, Aussie Angie.
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Brother has GBMIV
Diagnosed Feb 07
46 Yrs young!
http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?p=19227
"Without Faith We Have Nothing" |
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In
Site Admin
Joined: 18 Jul 2007
Posts: 1309
Location: AUSTRALIA
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| Posted: Sat Nov 10, 2007 2:34 am Post subject: Re: Liver Cancer in the Family |
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A great Idea to concintrate on somethig so special as Christmas together. Keeps the mind and spirits high and positive.
Even start the decorationg and menu's now. let your Dad help' choose the menu, decorations etc.
Maybe even a Family Christmas card?.
Try and keep positive 
_________________
Thinking of you Inica
*Administrator*
~Nose Cancer~
~Car Accident- Broken Back, Ribs, Spleen
Sternum~
~Continous Cervical Cancer~
My Story-
http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?t=6731
9 Lives and still kicking |
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Queensland Girl
Regular
Joined: 17 Oct 2007
Posts: 40
Location: Australia
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| Posted: Tue Nov 13, 2007 8:28 pm Post subject: Liver Cancer in the Family |
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Hi Everyone,
Just a quick note to say that the whole family will travel to see Dad next week as it seems we may not now have very long at all. Christmas was too much to hope for. He spent more days in hospital than expected and it seems he will need to go again within the next few days.
The hardest thing was having to tell the children as their emotions are so raw and powerful. 
It was devastating the first time around, and it hasn't got any easier this time.
Regards from not so sunny Queensland |
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brainman
Site Admin
Joined: 13 Oct 2005
Posts: 3457
Location: Tennessee
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| Posted: Tue Nov 13, 2007 11:58 pm Post subject: Re: Liver Cancer in the Family |
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Hi Queensland Girl, I am so very sorry about your father. I have been following your father's story from the start and also have noticed that you are active in supporting others. Now, it is our time to reach out to you.
I cannot begin to imagine how difficult this is for your family... especially your children. If your father does not live until Christmas, that will even be harder on you and on them. Have you thought about having an early Christmas? December 6 is St Nicholas' Day. Maybe that would be a good day. Our maybe this next week you can have a better idea about when would be a good time to have an earlier Christmas. I am not just talking about exchanging presents. I am suggesting that you do everything that you would normally do on Christmas Day... just on an earlier date.
I am still keeping you and your father 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/ |
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Queensland Girl
Regular
Joined: 17 Oct 2007
Posts: 40
Location: Australia
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| Posted: Mon Nov 26, 2007 12:21 am Post subject: Re: Liver Cancer in the Family |
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Dad seems to have stabilised after his shunt, but is in a lot of pain. We are still hoping for Christmas together but who knows. He has now started to lose a lot of weight which also worries me.
What is interesting though, is that my sister's doctor has also independently advised her to have a colonoscopy as a precaution. Obviously our doctors want to check for polyps before they can cause either colon cancer or maybe travel to the liver. |
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brainman
Site Admin
Joined: 13 Oct 2005
Posts: 3457
Location: Tennessee
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| Posted: Mon Nov 26, 2007 5:27 pm Post subject: Re: Liver Cancer in the Family |
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Try to make his Christmas as memorable as possible so that you will have good memories to fall back on when you think of him in future Christmases.
Colon cancer is one of only a few cancers that seem to have some kind of family link. It is good that your sister's doctor is being proactive and checking her.
Good to hear that your father is stable. I just wish he did not have the pain.
May you have a good (if not great) Holiday Session with your father.
_________________
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/ |
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Queensland Girl
Regular
Joined: 17 Oct 2007
Posts: 40
Location: Australia
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| Posted: Wed Jan 02, 2008 5:44 pm Post subject: Re: Liver Cancer in the Family |
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Hello,
Just a quick note, my Dad made it to Christmas, but we have found out that he has pancreatic carcinoma with liver metastases. On new years eve (10pm) we had to rush him to the hospital where he is right now. The doctors are worried he may now have bone and/or brain metastases as well and were planning a series of CT scans when everyone is back from holidays.
It seems it won't be long now............ |
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brainman
Site Admin
Joined: 13 Oct 2005
Posts: 3457
Location: Tennessee
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kellygreece
Regular
Joined: 24 Aug 2007
Posts: 14
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| Posted: Mon Jan 07, 2008 1:18 pm Post subject: Re: Liver Cancer in the Family |
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dear queensland girl,
My heart goes out to you. I can really understand what you are going through. I lost my daddy on December 2nd (after a brave battle of 18 months,from the moment he was diagnosed with secondary liver cancer). I miss him terribly and christmas time was especially hard for my family.
All I can say is, be there for him as much as you can, he needs you to get through this difficult stage. Your love and presence is the greatest help you can give him and these last moments with him are very very precious.
May you find the strength and courage you need within the love of your family and all your blessed memories with your dad.
Be stong no matter how difficult, the time for mourning lies ahead.
God bless
----------------
Missing my daddy
Kelly - George's (age 66) daughter |
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