My dad has recently been told it is likely he has liver cancer from the Tumor marker results
They are not putting him through a biopsy or MRI to confirm but have said he has had cirrhosis of the liver (he has never drank alcohol)
He is 75 and has Parkinson’s so although he was looking frail and losing weight we thought it was the Parkinson’s
he was on holiday 2 weeks ago and then coughed up blood and since then can hardly walk - he could last week
he is now at my house and looks so frail
palliative care nurses told my dad with the consultant the diagnosis and since then he has cried - we did not want him to know but maybe we’re wrong. He was so positive before before told it feels like they dropped a bomb on us and ended all happiness
if he only had weeks I don’t see why he needed to know
they said they don’t know how long but he is having no treatment
does anyone know about tumor markers ? His was 3000 so I think it’s prob spread but they didn’t say that and we didn’t ask although scan and CT shows nothing in the stomach isopghagus or lungs
not sure what I am asking anyone but any support would be appreciated
caring for someone like this is new to me and the system seems so complicated with who does what
we still don’t even have care in place as the hospital said they could not sort until end of next week and I needed him home - he was so down in there but then has also cried all day yesterday since getting here
Hi Kobe
I am really sorry to hear about your Dad.
It sounds a really tough time for you.
Perhaps give the Support Line a call and chat things through. You are right in that the system can appear complicated and I know when I had my diagnosis, things moved so quickly and it was like having the carpet pulled from under me.
Tumour markers are something that are looked at and can help point towards whether there is a cancer present, what type it may be and whether it is one that has begun in the liver or one that has spread to the liver. They don't give the whole picture but are useful for the doctors when narrowing down a diagnosis of probable cancer. I am not sure what the 3000 is but there are different markers for different cancers and they have different levels.
If you do call the Support Line they can have a look at your local area and see what support is available. Some people have had great support from Maggie's | Everyone's home of cancer care for instance. Along with support for Dad, you will need support yourself as caring for someone you love who has cancer is hard. I have been on both sides and I would say that it was probably harder on those around me as I had to focus so much on getting through appointments etc.
I would take comfort from Dad coming home with you and although you have both been naturally upset with him being told the probable diagnosis- he is at home, with people who care for him and not sat in a hospital ward. However nice they are in hospital, nothing beats being at home.
It sounds like palliative support is being arranged but if there are delays or you are concerned then perhaps consider contacting his GP and asking for help. The district nurse team maybe able to visit initially while things are being sorted.
I am sorry that you are facing this, but we are here to support you.
Jane
