Preparing Myself

Hi There!  I have posted a message on this board a while back when my dad (who just turned 48 yesterday) was diagnosed with Stage IV pandcreatic cancer.  Just about 3 months ago our lives changed and since then his health has deteriorated so much.  He was in severe pain for the longest time until they changed his meds from morphine to any kind of drugged.  That seemed to help a lot and he started to eat again.  He was in pallative care for just over a week to get his weight back up and watch his pain.  The outcome was great and he got to go home.  The first week was not bad as he was eating a bit and starting to go the bathroom again (it had been 2 months of enemas, oral fleets, etc.) 

However in the past week he has drastically changed.  He cannot eat becuase he is nausious all the time.  He is down to about 150 lbs.  Every hurts him, like he says that plain cotton sheets feel like cement on his body.  This stomach is starting to get bigger.  Its still soft but we're expecting it to get hard.  His feet are starting to swell and he is starting to pull away from us.  My mom and I being relaistic as we are, are thinking it won't be long. 

However we have not stopped praying and haven't given up hope, as we do know miracles happen.  It's just as read stories on this message board and see poeple who have had the similar symptoms didn't live much longer.  I guess I'm just writing to see if there have been people that have hit this level and have bounced back.  I know it's a long shot but if there is stories out there he needs to read them becuase every day he is closer to giving up.  At this point there is more peace in knowing that if he passes he won't be suffering, and its so hard watching someone you love so much suffer and feel like a burden on your family.

If you have any information that can help prepare me for what I think is coming, or have couragious stories of people who have fought hard and won, please let me know.  As well if anyone else would like to talk and just share their thoughts and stories please do not hesitate to contact me.  Thanks so much for your time! 

http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/308476_pancreas22.html Hello, My Dad has been recently diagnosed with Stage IV PC as well. I don't know if this will help or not, but I read this story with great interest. Asked his Doc about low dose chemo and he dismissed me. Put Dad on Gemzar. He's still pretty good for now though even though it's pretty advanced. I also read a lot of inspiring stories on www.pancan.org as well and found that to be a great resource. I feel like they may be naive suggestions, but want you to know there are people out here who hurt with you and care. J

Dear Fighting Hard:

I sent you a private message - check there for my reply to your questions.

 

i know someone with pancreatic cancer that mets to his liver.  he was jaundiced, lost 50 pounds, has ascites in his stomach, and in constant pain.  he tried vitamin c via iv and is no longer in pain, not throwing up anymore, no longer jaundice and is starting to gain some weight.  the only thing he saysis that he's tired but he is also on the chelation therapy.