Greetings,

I just found this msg board it looks like a terrific source of support for families suffering from cancer. My 76 year old father has lung cancer and was given 2-8 weeks to live last September.

Lately he has become too weak to purge the fluids from throat and I fear that it is building in his lungs.

A week ago his hands and and face started to fill with fluids. Somehow we figured out that warm compresses help move the fluid away from his eyes enough to see. At least for now.

My question for those with this kind of experience is; are these signs of the end? Is fluid building up so much it as no where else to go?

Any suggestions or related experiences?

Thank you all
Dan - Minneapolis

Im am sorry of your sorrow Dan. I can only say I know with Ca. It can block off drainage paths and cause substancial retaining of fluids. Do ask your hospice worker. It sounds like your father is miserable. Maybe the Dr. can suggest things to improve his quality of life while he is with you. I hope you will have time to make more memories with dad in this push and shove demands of our lives. I will be praying for you. Mattie

Mattie, Thank you very much for your kind words and prayers. I will see our hospice nurse in a few hours. I will discuss this with her then.

My father is actually quite comfortable (obviously in relative terms). He doesn't have many complaints.

His mental state is starting to decline. Just two nights ago we played cards and he was very comptetitve and beat me! Go Pops! Now tonight he is having trouble understanding that this house that he's been in for a year is actually his home. This was without any comfort medicine in his viens. He has been taking morphine only at night to help him breathe.

Dan