My dad has just been told he has cancer of the liver
FormerMember
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Hello.today feels like a dream or a bad night mare I'm past being able to feel.my dad has been ill or about a year but the last 4 months have been horrible he has had this horrible rash that is painfull and itchey.my sister and Mum have been told my dad a liver cancer that is 4-5cm on his liver.im on the other side of world and did t know what to do feel like a horrible daughter as I left him when he was sick . I keep crying.will know more on Monday but in t he mean time what can I do to help or cheer eveyone up
I'm so sorry to hear about your Dad's diagnosis. I know it comes as a horrible shock. My husband has liver cancer, so we've been though the same nightmare. He's probably about your Dad's age.
But what I wanted to say was, don't beat yourself up and feel like a 'horrible daughter,' because you're away. Of course you're not. I have three daughters myself, and they are very supportive, but one of them works 'half way round the world.' My husband and I want her to carry on having her own life - and in fact we get worried that she's worrying too much because she's far away and can't do practical help. So really don't feel bad.
You don't say when you'll next have the chance to see your parents, but with any luck your Dad will be around for a good while yet. I'm not sure you can exactly cheer your Mum and sister up, but they'll be pleased to know you are thinking of them. This is my attempt to cheer you up, if only a tiny bit. We're not in charge of our own fates, so we have to go with the flow and make the best of things. Even though you're far away, your thoughts and love and wishes will be important to your Dad and your family, and even if you were here, there's probably not much practical you could do.
I had a 4.5 cm liver cancer but it was treated and I'm still alive five years later. In some cases, it can be eliminated. It can be a rocky road but not necessarily an end game.
Do what you can to keep him strong via encouragement over the phone. If the doctors say it might be treatable then his chance may be good. Initial treatments might be relatively non-invasive such as with TACE and radiofrequency ablation. Longer-term, he may need a transplant but they will get the cancer stabilised or eliminated first. If it gets that far, he'll be well prepared by the experts.
Although, I am only three years post-transplant, I've seen some transplant patients who, incredibly, had their operation done back in the nineties!
Cheer up yourself and do what you can to keep your dad strong. The science has come on a long way and is still advancing rapidly. Keep holding on to that hope.
Hi, i have liver cancer, with 5 tumours, one was 5cm. If he has only one tumour he should be allowed a liver transplant. But in my case i have five , so no chance of a liver transplant. But had Tace over a 3mth period, 2 tumours at a time. Was told that they were shrinking and they could offer me a transplant. Great news, only to be told the following week that they had made a mistake and one of the small tumours had grown to 9cm. What a mess they made of my head. But then put on tablets that stop them growing, but still not working. But this about your dad, and i know what the shock it is when you find out, Its been a 15mths now and have come to terms with it all. I,m sure your dad is a strong person and it is bad news, but i hope he is getting treatment. Tace works for a lot of people if he dosn't get a transplant. You have got to be strong for him, the last thing he probably will want is to know he is upsetting you, so you be strong. Where does he live, as i live in Leeds , England. Which has the biggest cancer unit in England, Let me know how he gets on, and i hope he gets some better news to tell you, Gerry
