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scotts
New User
Joined: 24 Jun 2009
Posts: 1
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 Posted: Wed Jun 24, 2009 7:48 pm Post subject: Moved to Hospice- how long? |
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My father in-law was diagnosed in February with esophageal cancer. At that time, it had already moved to his liver and was stage IV terminal. Frnakly, we are surprised that he has lasted this long, but now we feel the end is near. He's had chemo for months, which seemed to help. A few weeks ago, he had another set of scans, and the cancer was back in his liver, spread to his lungs, stomach, spine and brain. He had to be rushed to the hospital last week to have surgery to drain fluid from his lung, and they drained 2.5 litres of fluid. That is the short version.
Today, the doctor told him that he recommended no further treatment, and that he contact hospice. Hospice is bring a hospital bed to his home today, and he will leave the hospital tonight. The doctor was not much help in trying to offer ideas on how much longer he has.
Given the severity and multiple places his cancer has spread, I can't imagine it is very long, but I don't know whether that means a few days, a week, 2 weeks, a month, or more.....I know each case is different, but can someone share general estimates on how long after stopping all medical treatment and going into hospice care he might have left?
More than 50 friends and family are walking in Relay for Life this weekend in his honor, and I certainly hope he will live to see that. |
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arriba
Regular
Joined: 21 Feb 2009
Posts: 23
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| Posted: Thu Jun 25, 2009 1:44 pm Post subject: Re: Moved to Hospice- how long? |
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| I know this is not a definitive answer, but to be admitted to hospice, the doctor must certify that the pt has less than 6 months to live. With all the metastasis going on, I would not think your FIL has that long. It is really hard to guess and I am sure that is why the doctor will not say. There are so many variables, is he still eating, is he up at all or bedridden, how quickly disease progresses etc. I think hospice will be great to keep him comfortable and support you all through this. I am sorry for you and your family. |
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melkissa
Experienced user
Joined: 01 Jun 2009
Posts: 92
Location: Orange Park, FL
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| Posted: Mon Jun 29, 2009 10:41 pm Post subject: Re: Moved to Hospice- how long? |
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I agree with the previous post. Please know that Hospice is AMAZING and they will make his remaining time as comfortable as they possibly can. Big hugs to you. 
_________________
My dad was diag w/nsclc stage 4 & mets to spine & hips on 11/08 at age 43. Large mass on R lung & collapsed L lung. No surgery so chemo & rad 5d/wk. No results. 4/09 rushed to the hospital b/c breathing issues. Hooked up to o2 & treated for infection. Released when o2 levels were good w/help from Hospice at home. In Hospice as of 6/2/09. Passed 6/10/09. Missing you forever daddy. |
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brainman
Site Admin
Joined: 13 Oct 2005
Posts: 5617
Location: Tennessee
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Ereshkigal
Regular
Joined: 19 Jun 2008
Posts: 34
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| Posted: Tue Jun 30, 2009 6:55 pm Post subject: Re: Moved to Hospice- how long? |
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Just to add my perspective to all this:
Of course, the previous posters are all correct. As the one poster mentioned, simply in order to get admitted into hospice you need to have <6 months to live. And also, it's really impossible to say how much longer he has - probably even for the doctors (which is probably why he denied giving you an estimate to begin with). I only posted because I have this anecdotal account to provide: my mom's friend was given six months and died about two weeks later... while my grandmother was given a very dire estimate (she had pancreatic cancer) and she lived for five years (!) after that. Granted she wasn't diagnosed as terminal to begin with, but given the nature of pancreatic cancer - especially at that point in time...
Anyway, I hope your FIL got to see the Relay for Life this past weekend, and I certainly hope hospice makes his remaining time as comfortable as possible. |
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