Good afternoon,
My Father was diagnosed with liver cancer on Monday. We had been expecting a diagnosis of some sort - the GP had indicated that it might be stomach or pancreas. He has felt very unwell suddenly in the last month and has lost 4 stone and has gone extremely weak. Too weak to walk and cannot get out of the house for appointments as now far too unwell. He has been called for an Endoscopy but I explained to the doctor that he gets tired out in his wheelchair and cannot walk more than a few yards without being completely exhausted. Doctor said that we will leave that test for now because the diagnosis was for his liver.
The GP said that he has a lesion of 3.5cm but the symptoms that he's got seem to suggest that he's much further on down the line. Other people seem to say that they were still fit and well with a small lesion.
He has hardly eaten anything in the last 2 weeks because the pain is too bad. His GP told him yesterday that he MUST eat. He had a very small half a potato mashed up with milk and bit of butter last night, one fish finger and a small spoon of vegetables. He was crying out in pain until 3am saying that the pain was so bad that he just wanted it all to be over.
My Mother and I didn't know whether to ring for the paramedics or not because when we rang last week (in similar circumstances) they just sent him home two hours later.
He is really not well enough to be at home and the people we have spoken to on the phone don't seem to realise how bad he is.
Locum doctor prescribed liquid morphine but it is not taking away the pain.
Any help on liquid food (sugar and nut free - his sugar level was 25 yesterday before he ate anything) or general tips would be a real help.
Hi and welcome to the Online Community. I'm so sorry to read of your Dad's diagnosis. To have deteriorated so rapidly must be frightening for you all. I can't understand the hospital's stance to send him home. If liquid morphine isn't taking away the pain a more radical approach must be taken surely. I would contact his hospital consultant, rather than his GP and emphatically stress how poorly he is to get him admitted. I'm at a loss what else to suggest other than take him to A&E.
I myself have a different cancer so can't offer insight I'm sorry. I have attached some information from the Macmillan info and support website Eating problems which may be helpful.
You could call the Macmillan Support Services also offer lots of information, support, financial guidance or just someone to listen. It’s free to call 0808 808 0000. Most services are available 8am to 8pm, 7 days a week. Have a look by Clicking here to see what is available and we also have our Ask an Expert section, but do allow two to three working days for replies from our expert team.
Sending you welcoming hugs B xx
Macmillan Support Line - 0808 808 00 00, 7 days a week between 8am-8pm
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