Struggling with Dad's prognosis

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Hi all, like a lot of people on here I'm going through a pretty emotional time dealing with a family member's diagnosis/prognosis. My Dad is an otherwise healthy and active 76 year old who had to undergo emergency bowel surgery earlier this year. Latterly he was diagnosed with stage 4 tumours in his liver and an area of his peritoneum.

He's currently on this third round of chemo with a view to checking progress around his 6th-7th cycle with a scan. He's staying positive. The liver seems operable but they are looking for some kind of shrinkage or control of the area on his peritoneum before they consider surgery. I'm aware his prognosis isn't good and a few months in it's really starting to hit me. The chemo is FOLFOX and he has a pump fitted which he takes home. Has anyone on the forum had any experience with this type of metastasis, either for themselves or a loved one? Anything I read online is largely negative in terms of how well it responds to chemo. and I'm looking for anything to hold onto right now.

Jim

Faloola over 1 year ago

Hi,

So sorry to hear about your dad. I had small bowel cancer 10 years ago stage 3 had a right hemicolectomy and adjuvant chemo for 6 months. I was clear for the last 10 years untill last august the cancer returned. To say I was shocked was an understatement.

It’s now a stage 4 non operable and incurable. It’s in my sacrum both lungs and enlarged lymph nodes in my abdomen,I decided I did not want a prognosis .
I’ve been a year since diagnosis and I’m just starting treatment on 2nd June and like your dad it’s a pump and pic line this time so don’t know much about that sorry.
Just think that your dad is his own statistic he’s not just a number, keep thinking positive and get out and do things you both enjoy with each other. That’s what I’ve been doing for the last 10 years and hope I’m here for many more just like your dad.

Cath

court over 1 year ago

Hi Jim79

Welcome to the forum . Just to encourage you we do have people that have gone on to have successful Hipec surgery . People move on with their lives and stop posting .

But I get what you are saying and it’s tough . But taking it one step at a time and keeping enjoying the aspects you can and making plans is how I have handled it . I lost my dad back in September and it gives me so much satisfaction and joy to look back at all we have done since his first stroke and mum’s stage 4 diagnosis. I have also had lots of wobbles and fears too .
I hope he can get his surgery .

Court

Helpline Number 0808 808 0000

ClareD123 over 1 year ago

Hi Jim,

I don’t normally reply to messages but your message reminded me of when my Dad was first diagnosed. My Dad was diagnosed with Stage 4 bowel cancer (terminal) spread to the liver. He’s fit and in his late 60’s and had a pump fitted for his chemo. We were advised it was inoperable and we never asked ‘how long’ but suspected months (a year tops) with a terminal diagnosis. However that was in October 2021, he continues to have chemo and is still fit enough to walk the dog twice a day. He’s been responding well to chemo, but did have a couple of bumps along the way (he’s also diabetic). It has also been discussed this year during consultations if operating on the liver is an option (at the moment it’s not). I wanted to share with you, this forum helped me so much get through/cope back then and I hope it helps you too.
Clare