Hi, my father is a 73 year old with Parkinson's who was diagnosed with Esophageal cancer that had spread to the liver and was fitted with a stent and planned 6 sessions of chemotherapy using fluorouracil and carboplatin. After the first session it was identified that the tumour is HER2+ so he could also have herpatin. He has currently had 4 chemo sessions and 3 herpatin injections. He just had a meeting with one of the consultants who informed him that the primary tumour has shrunk and caused the stent to slip downwards but the secondary cancer was not responsing and has grown so they're stopping the chemo (which was planned for tomorrow) and nothing more can be done.
I am waiting to speak to the senior consultant but am finding their reaction difficult to understand, dad has coped well with chemo and anyone who has seen him comments on how much better he looks and seems, he is eating well, mobile and has gained 3kg of the weight he lost and feels well in himself, just a bit tired and weak.
I don't understand why they don't just continue the final 2 sessions of chemo with herpatin or at least explore other treatment to try and slow down the secondary liver cancer. To just try a few sessions and give up when dad is feeling well and is also very strong mentally and remaining postive all the way through is infuriating.
I don't think I am being unreasonable or unrealistic, I know the cancer can't be cured but just want every possible avenue explored to buy him more time. I would understand the decision if his quality of life had dropped or the cancer had spread right through his body and he was suffering from it.
I wondered if anyone has similar experiences and any advice to offer, my initial idea to suit dad's wishes is to speak to the consultant, push for more options to be looked at and if no results, request a 2nd opinion via dad's GP. If nothing can be done, nothing can be done but I want to make sure that nothing truly can be done.
Thanks in advance for your help.
Armoured Bear, & Swe
I really don't know how to respond to your posts, with any positivity... I am truly saddened that there has been either no treatment or stopped treatment for your Dad's. My Husband was diagnosed in May with OC and secondaries of the Lung, Liver and Lymph Nodes, and although the secondaries were only specs, he has received treatment since the 22nd May every fortnight, swapping on to Herceptin at treatment 6.
I don't know how severe the secondaries were/are that your Father's are experiencing, I can only imagine ... but I can understand how you are feeling. Everyday I live in fear, everyday I wonder .... I would ask for a second opinion Armoured Bear, the sooner the better..
Swe, my thoughts are with you, I hope that your Dad's transition into the afterlife is peaceful and pain free.
Lowe'
Armoured Bear,
Have you asked for a second opinion?
Lowe'
Sorry, just found this on Cancer Research site... not sure if it is helpful, but thought I would share.
www.cancerresearchuk.org/.../a-trial-looking-at-ly3143921-hydrate-for-advanced-cancer
