Can't Believe This Is Happening

My dad was diagnosed with Stomach Cancer that has spread to his liver on June 14, 2007. The cancer is inoperable as it is thoughout his liver. He was scheduled to be in a clinical trial, however 3 days before he was to start the clinical trial he had a small stroke. (This was on a Saturday)

The took him out of the clinical trial which consisted of a liver biopsy before treatment and then chemo and a pill to take along with the chemo. They took him out of the clinical trial because of his stroke and decided to just begin the chemo. So, on the Tuesday after his stroke they started his chemo. He was able to bring it home in a fanny pack and it ran for 46 hours. The day after they hooked up his chemo he looked and acted better then he had in a long time. However the following day, at 5:30 am my mom called me in a panic that something was wrong with my dad. I drove as fast as I could to my parents home and my dad was at the bottom of the stairs, not able to speak. Blood pressure dropped, fever and was hospitalized for 10 days. Had a infection in one of his lungs and possibly another stroke. (Which would make 2 in a week)

He lost some use of his right hand for a bit. It seems to be getting a little better now. He had to use a walker to get around. He was scheduled for chemo treatments every two weeks. However his doctor said because he is so wedk and has lost so much weight (49 lbs from June 14th to PresentandHe isn't drinking and eating hardly anything) he cannot continue chemo until he is strong enough to do so. Doctors said that in his condition that chemo is worse for him then the cancer. He may not be able to ever start chemo again.

I am so scared for him. I can't believe that 3 months ago my dad was on a ladder putting a roof on a sun porch at camp. Now he is walking with a walker and so weak and tired. Our whole world has been turned upside down by this and I don't know what to expect. He has been so sick, so quickly. He doesn't even seem like the same person and it breaks my heart. He is my dad, a strong man who has always taken care of me and my sister and my mom. Now he seems like a weak, scared person and I don't know what to do to help him.

Has anyone been through anything like this, with a loved one getting so sick so quickly and what can we expect?

Please keep my dad in your prayers. Thank You!

 

I am so sorry and can relate. My Mother (my best friend) was diagnosed 2 days after her 60th Birthday, this August. She had been feeling bloated. vomiting ect for around 3 weeks. I took her to SK hospital on 9/11. She has a partial blockage which will eventually be total and needs surgery. The tumor is in the lower part where the small intestine connects to the stomach. I am scared to death and keep telling myself she will get through this. All I can say is try to stay strong around your Dad. And don't give up hope no matter what the Dr.s say. To answer your question about how fast your Dad has become weak- this horrible disease has just only reared it's head. The Dr's told me my Mother has probably had the cancer for a year... It usually "presents itself" in the late stage. Stay positive. It's very hard but once hope is gone we have nothing. God bless.