Terminal Cancer

[AlysonS]

Hello

I'm new to the board.

My name is Alyson and I'm 28 years old. At the moment I am living at home with my parents to help look after my dad who has cancer.

He had routine blood test before Christmas and there were some abnormalities. He was sent to the hospital for tests which showed that he had bowel cancer. He went back two weeks latter for more tests only to be told that the cancer had already spread to his liver and his glands and nothing could be done. It has nearly been three months since he was diagnosed.

He decided to try the chemo, he started two weeks ago and is now having a weeks brake. I didnt really think he would get so ill. At the moment he is ill in bed and hasnt been able to keep any food down for five days.

I don't know why I decided to join this board and post, maybe just to look for some people who understand what we are going through.

Aly

[Samantha317]

Hi Aly,
Welcome to the boards!

I am so sorry to hear about your dad. I lost my brother to cancer 3 years ago. I just want you to know that you, your dad and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.

Sam

[SamQKitty]

Alyson,
I'm so sorry to hear about your Dad. A cancer diagnosis is heart-rending even when it's caught early.

One thing I would suggest is that you check with his doctors and make sure they're giving him intravenous Zofran BEFORE they give him the chemo. He should also be sent home with anti-nausea pills to take each morning for at least 3-4 days after the chemo, as well as compazine suppositories, if he's able to use them. Some doctors are simply not aggressive enough about treating the nausea. Of course, people react differently to chemotherapy drugs, but it's been my experience that some doctors just don't pay enough attention to the side effects.

Ruth

[ktee_uk]

Hi AlysonS

So sorry to hear about your father's diagnosis. There is another posting board on this website specifically for Colon Cancer and there are loads of people there who will give lots of information and helpfull advice on this subject to sufferers and carers alike. Colon cancer includes bowel cancer, anal cancer, rectal cancer and probably another one which I cant remember.

My husband was diag 2 years ago with bowel cancer which was low down so was technically rectal cancer. It had also spread to his liver and lymphs and initially his prognosis was poor but after lots (and I do mean lots) of treatment his is clear so far and doing very well indeed.

Chemo was hard work. The first time he had it he was sick as a dog so after that he made sure he took every kind of anti-nausea drug there was known to mankind !!! Seriously...... the trick is to take the anti-nausea meds before you feel sick and keep taking them even if you dont untill a day or two after the chemo session is finished. If that works well and he feels confident about it he can reduce the meds a little each time.


good luck and keep posting

ktee

[spag]

Hi Alyson

My Dad was diagnosed with bowel cancer 9 years ago and over the period of these 9 years he has had ups and downs. His cancer spread to his liver early on and we have had long periods of him being clear but it has returned several times. In the sumer of last year we were told that his cancer had returned to is liver and also his lymphnodes. at the end of last year he had intensive chemotherepy which made him very ill. He has decided to stop treatment and enjoy the time he has left with us. it is so hard and unreal that i will not have my dad with me as i grow up. Take hold of every moment and enjoy it But also remeber amazing things can happen, just wait and see.


Take care