End Stage Pancreatic cancer, What to expect - Cancer: Pancreatic & Liver Message Board

steviek321 · 06-22-2008, 09:05 PM

End Stage Pancreatic cancer, What to expect

k2626 · 06-23-2008, 05:21 PM

My dad was DX about a month ago, stage 4 spread to liver and bones. He has turned yellow now, and has no energy at all. He went on chemo (today is his third time) for pain management and to buy time, but the dr told us today it does not look as though it is working otherwise he would feel btr. They may pull him off chemo next week and that point we call hospice.

I think the end stage varies from what I understand. I can tell you this has happened VERY fast. Just two months ago I was out there and everything was fine, dad joking around etc...he was just a little tired and had started to lose weight, the next week he was very tired and depressed...thought it was a side effect of meds or his heart condidition...week later he was dx.

Mel52 · 06-23-2008, 07:37 PM

It is different for everyone. For my friend the last few days it was refusal to eat. She slept most of the time and stopped communicating except for one or two words.

steviek321 · 06-23-2008, 09:08 PM

Thanks for the reply, from you all.

My Dad was just DX last week, He was losing weight, and having up to 4 bowel movements a day, all cream in color.

This has been going on for a couple of months, I took him to the Dr. who got him in for a cat scan within a few days, the Cat scan was on Friday, and the Dr. called him on Monday, however my Dad is very hard of hearing and did not hear or understand anything the Dr. told him. I spoke to the Dr. 2 days later who informed me that the Cat scan had shown both the head and the tail of the pancreas had a tumor and there was alot of "stranding".

He also noted end stage Liver disease (My Dad has never Drank any alcohol).

The Dr. stated that at 87 years old, and the amount of tumor, there was no treatment that he could do, as it was in-operable, and no Chemo, or Radiation that could help him without being cruel.

So that is my story, and I was just looking for direction of what to try and expect or sign of the disease speeding up and when to contact the Sibs.
Who now all now he has Pancreatic Cancer , but would like to try to come home for the end.

Again thanks for the reply and anyone else who has an opinion, I would welcome it.

God Bless you all

Steve

k2626 · 06-23-2008, 11:59 PM

Steve I am so sorry you are going through this. This has been very very difficult for me and my family. I can tell you in my exp it has progressed very very fast. I feel like it was just yesterday he was dx, and it was really just a month ago--amazing. My brother moved in with him to help him as he lives alone, he has definately needed the help. I suspect your dad may begin feeling weak soon, but as Mel said it is different for everyone.

I went to AZ as soon as we heard he could have cancer, it was important to me to see him when he was still some what healthy. I try to go out every other weekend now. Sounds like you live nearby which is nice.