ex husband diagnosed 7 mths ago with locally advanced pancreatic cancer. Tumor encases the major vessels so can't operate. Has been on 5fu and radiation, then later, 2nd round on gemzar. Would take two weeks but not manage to reach 3rd week, has to keep starting cycle over. Now we find he has a couple spots on his liver. He is weak and has bouts with digestive problems, diah, etc. blood sugar levels range from 40 to 700, on insulin now but having trouble maintaining good levels. they originally said 6 mths to 2- 1/2 years if operable, then later said 6 mths to 18 mths. Now ct shows the cancer has spread to his liver, atleast 2 spots. I am his major caregiver and he won't ask the dr. specifically how much time he has left, he won't let me since he is pretty much in denial and doesn't want to hear it. I need to know what to expect as this progresses and what kind of care he will need. I need to know what signs I need to watch for to know when he might need hospice, etc.
Hi, My friend had breast cancer for 4 years and it spread to her liver a year ago this month. She was an extrodinary case...and she was determined to BEAT the cancer. Because of her will to live she lived 9 months after the cancer spread to her liver. However, SHE WAS EXTRAORDINARY....Anyone else that I have EVER hear of where a cancer spread to the liver had a very short life span the longest i have heard...3 months...the shortest 6 weeks. I would tell you...he already has uncurable pancreatic cancer...doesn't sound like he is doing well with his treatments or his spirit...so i do not think it will be long, just an intution guess (to help you prepare)...2 months tops.
thank you for reply. I too feel like it will continue to get worse. Now he has lymph nodes that have swollen quite large. Will see Dr. in a week and I will try to get as much info as possible without upsetting him further.
thank you for reply. I too feel like it will continue to get worse. Now he has lymph nodes that have swollen quite large. Will see Dr. in a week and I will try to get as much info as possible without upsetting him further.
Hi, I've been through PC with my mom so I understand what you're going through. Hospice is a great thing, but he has to be in the right place mentally for it. We called them in when the Gemzar stopped working.
When the pain becomes too much and he is put on morphine then things will start slowing down physically. In the mean time I suggest you check out some fantastic pancreas cancer websites, one which is run by a major Boston hospital. It's very supportive and informative. The other site is run by a Pancreas Cancer advocacy group and they will do everything they can to help. Good luck to you, I'm sorry you're all going through this.
My best friend was stage 4 when diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. She lived a little longer than a year after diagnosis. She did very well until the last few months. We actually think she would have lived longer but for some reason she lost her muscle enzymes and couldn't move her legs herself. We think she lost hope at that point.
unfortunately due to the privacy laws, they will not talk with me without his consent since I am no longer married to him and he does not live in my household . I have a list of questions i plan to give to his nurse on Monday and hopefully he will address them either together or to me privately since I will be driving him to the doctor that day.
he is in nursing care now full. He has a living will and the Dr's have now said there is nothing more they can do. He sleeps most of the day now, only waking for small amounts of time. Sometimes he is confused, other times he can recognize us. His voice is weak and he is in pain. THey have removed all meds except what will make him comfortable. He only takes a few bites of his food and drinks very little liquid. His has reached his 8 month diagnosis point. The Dr. has told us that is will probably be within 2 week, perhaps less.
I did but dr. just said at last visit that he thought it would be beneficial to continue chemo (for pain managment, etc) but he soon developed a blockage in the small intestine and after placing another stent to relieve the blockage, he spiraled down so fast. he went from watching a ballgame on Sat. afternoon to the way he is now on Monday and Tuesday, So fast
we called in hospice for pain controll n they r great my mom is going through liver failure from cancer. we have had a long road. she is yellow, confused, shakes real bad from the toxins in her body from the liver not functioning properly. u r in my prays
My brother who is also my best friend was dx with pancreatic cancer in August. It had already spread to his liver and he was in a stage 4. Dr. said chemo might give him a little longer but with all problems from his bile duct being infected it was not possible...he only had chemo 1 session. He's had about 3 surgeries involving putting stents in his liver. He got weaker as time went by. At present he's with hospice. He's not eating much at all. He says it hurts to eat and swallow. I see how difficult it is for him just to take a sip of water now. He went from stages of wanting everyone around him to wanting to be just left alone. At one time he told the family that the dr. said he couldn't see anyone for 3 weeks. We suspected it wasn't true and maybe one of his I want to be alone moods. Three days later he called the family and said he needed company. He's lost a lot of weight..you see the ribs..I think he's lost like 70 pounds already. It's a horrible disease...3 months ago I was out and about with my bro and living life. I'm posting this because I've gotten comfort knowing what to expect from others..I hope this helps.
Things I've noticed that helped were those little sponges on the sticks..kind of like popsicles helped get him some water and keep his mouth moist, baby food helped besides ensure drinks. If he wants to be alone I respect his wishes. I really dont' think I'd want people all around me, staring at me, waiting for me to die. Yes, when the end comes I would want everyone I loved around me, but not until then. A lot of people will just want to come and visit just to see what's going on and see how he looks and what he's going through...we are all curious I guess, but sometimes I feel its cruel. I'm giving him his space just as I'm sure he would have given me. by the way, I'm his sister..bet you all thought reading this, that we were both males. I stated I was posting this because I wanted others to know what to expect....well I also wanted others to know what I was going through also. Thanks for reading this.
Love you bro....your sis.
My husband was diagnosed at the beginning of 2010, and is now at a similar stage. We're doing much to same. I wake him up every 8 hours to take his morphine, and at this stage he has trouble even sitting up. Once he gets going, though, he can move around and sometimes he's coherent. I've got to go give him his meds now, but I wanted to let you know you're not alone.
The following 2 users give hugs of support to: Asym caregiverforhim (12-03-2010), TerriInMSN (03-23-2011)
The Following 2 Users Say Thank You to Asym For This Useful Post: caregiverforhim (12-03-2010), TerriInMSN (03-23-2011)
update, my exhusband had a stent in his small intestine to relieve a blockage 11-4 and within one week became weaker and weaker. He passed away on 11-21. Once he started a decline it was quick. He never had a great deal of pain that goes with most pancreatic cancers until the last week and had to be on morphine continually. His last three days were the worst, but the last day he sleep all day and began shallow breathing and finally stopped. He never woke on that last 24 hrs. It happens very fast.
The following user gives a hug of support to caregiverforhim: biochemist (12-08-2010)
My husband was diagnosed at the beginning of 2010, and is now at a similar stage. We're doing much to same. I wake him up every 8 hours to take his morphine, and at this stage he has trouble even sitting up. Once he gets going, though, he can move around and sometimes he's coherent. I've got to go give him his meds now, but I wanted to let you know you're not alone.
thank you for writing. Today I buried my best friend...my brother. I guess that's why I was checking the site today ...a little for comfort I guess. It's been a hard 3 months ...since his diagnosis. I'm sure he's with God now and I know he's at peace. Thanks for your help in dealing with this. I wish you and yours all the best!
I am so sorry for both of you on the loss of your brother and exhusband. It is such a horrible cancer, I know I was wishing for relief for my best friend toward the last and hoping she would just let go and move on to peace. My son's exgirlfriend lost her dad to pancreatic cancer on 11-22
He went very quickly and thankfully was not in pain.
I lost my dear sister to an accident. It hurts still 6 years later. I did find huge comfort in a book someone sent me called "Never Say Goodbye" I don't know if you believe in any afterlife, but the book was amazing. It inspired me to go to a well known psychic and the results convinced me our loved ones are still around us. I know it sounds weird but I became a believer.
I hope you find something to help you get through this tough time. Somehow you will. hugs
