Greetings, 3 months ago I was diagnosed with Liver Cancer as a result of a CT & MRI scan having had a fall at home. I also suffer with peripheral neuropathy, femoral tremor and PTSD with two damaged knees from playing rugby in my youth. I am 83 years old. The Doc who saw me suggested that any surgical intervention would destroy my quality of life and that I might be better just carrying on as I am - gardening where I am able - and having a rewarding quality of life at home. Well, it hasn't quite turned out like that - my wife who is 85 is exhausted and has real difficulty carrying out her chores and having to look after me as well.
Everything I read on Macmillan is about various forms of treatment, but I am getting none. Basically, I'm rather bewildered why everyone else seems to be getting treatment of one form or another, and yet I'm rather out in the cold. I'm now getting some slight pain in my groins, for which I'm taking paracetamol.
Quality of life, ummm. Difficult when your wife, to whom I have been married 50 years, is emotionally suffering and exhausted like she is. Tragically, there seems to be no support for her at all - it can be a cruel world!
Hi Dip. Achaeol. and a very warm welcome to the online community which I hope you'll find is both an informative and supportive place to be.
I'm sorry to read that you've recently been diagnosed with liver cancer and that your wife is suffering emotionally and is exhausted looking after you. It sounds like an incredibly hard time for you both.
As I'm not a member of this group, I can't comment on what treatment is normally given for liver cancer but I noticed that your post hadn't had any replies yet. Responding to you will 'bump' it back to the top of the discussion list where it'll be easier for other members of this group to spot it.
Have you been allocated a cancer nurse specialist (CNS), sometimes referred to as a keyworker or Macmillan nurse? If so please do give them a ring so that you can talk through with them why you've not been offered any treatment. If you don't have a CNS then you could give your consultant's secretary a call and she should be able to give you the contact details of the CNS.
I hope you don't mind me suggesting that you encourage your wife to also join this community as we have a carers only group where she could talk about her worries and emotions with others who are looking after a loved one with cancer. If she doesn't want to do that then she could give the Macmillan Support Line a call on 0808 808 0000 and talk to one of the nurses. They should be able to tell her what practical help might be available for her as a carer and are available every day from 8am to 8pm.
While your waiting for replies, it would be great if you could pop something about your tests, etc into your profile as it really helps others when replying to you and also when looking for someone on a similar pathway. It also means that you don't have to keep repeating yourself. To do this click on your username and then select 'Profile'. You can amend it at any time and if you're not sure what to write you can take a look at mine by clicking on my username.
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"Never regret a day in your life, good days give you happiness, bad days give you experience"
