Hi
10 days ago my sister was told she has stage 4 cholangiocarcinoma, which has metastasised to her liver, bladder, gall bladder, lungs, lymph nodes, throat, and other parts of her body. Before this she had no symptoms apart from increasing stomach pain, and has always eaten almost ridiculously healthily and kept very fit. She has been told she will have one cycle of chem in around 2 weeks, after which she has 2-3 months to live.
This is a huge shock for hear and all the family. She does not appear to have any other typical symptoms (itching, jaundice) which surely she would have at such a late stage? Does anyone have any similar experience with this terrible cancer? Also how reliable are these life expectancy prognoses?
Appreciate time taken to read and respond.
Hi Prosperomuse
I am Steve, one of the community champions here on our community.
My wife's cancer is very different, Leiomyosarcoma but also rare and one thing we have found is that can make getting any kind of prognosis really challenging. In my time on the community I have know cases of people who outlive a prognosis, some for whom the prognosis seemed to be spot on and even some who died early - not even always from the cancer. Often we suggest asking if the prognosis helps and perhaps the main benefit some see is getting fast access to benefits.
I see you have already posted in our Supporting someone with incurable cancer forum that is helpful in that it can help support you in helping to support your sister
<<hugs>>
Steve
