The ups and downs of Primary Liver Cancer

Hi everyone,

Its been a while since I came on to this site and the group and I'll admit it was because things for my Dad were going about as well as they could after his diagnosis in July 19 and three subsequent TACE procedures. But as I have learned the big C loves to throw curve balls at you! I'm posting this because I genuinely hope it's helpful to people in similar situations and maybe might help a bit with the ups and downs. I also think it's important to share the good and the bad with the acknowledgement that everyone's situation is different, this is just my Dad's last year with liver cancer. Dad' had 3 TACE procedures now, all worked well, usual side effects of flu like feelings, loss of appetite for a bit but nothing majorly unmanageable for a 76 year old with a multitude of other health conditions. In May this year a CT revealed despite no TACE since Jan, tumour was stable and the option of removing the tumour was discussed, not something that had been on the table at diagnosis. Here's then where the rollercoaster ride began. After a hospital surgical meeting closer inspection of the CT spotted a leision on Dad's adrenal gland, change of plans required. Plan 1, big op to remove liver tumour and adrenal gland, quickly off the table as Dad's other health issues and age make it too risky. Plan 2, cryotherapy ablation (freezing) of the adrenal gland tumour, further TACE on liver tumour, if all ok return to possible excision of remaining liver tumour = technically cancer free...bloody hell who thought we would get him to that place?! Monday 24th August, ablation day, pre-op CT to check nothing has changed, well, thank you big C, scan reveals new liver lesions so his surgeon consents Dad for microwave ablation on original tumour as well as adrenal gland treatment = worked well but Dad feels like he has been in a boxing ring and can't eat due to horrendous heartburn, normal but nonetheless crappy side effect. On the ward the next day Surgeon describes original liver tumour as having become aggressive. Plan at mo is for TACE to still go ahead on 9th September after another CT next week, we hope. We never took this disease for granted but it really is giving us one hell of a ride. Don't know what all this new news means and frankly terrified to ask. So its back to one day at a time. Wish all of you the very best.