Reaching Out

My mother was diagnosed with bile duct cancer 7 years ago which spread to the liver. Throughout these years, she's undergone treatment and continued to have a good quality of life. However, back in May she develop fluid that started around her chest throughout the rest of her body. She went to Cancer Treatment Centers of America and they could not treat her because the creatin levels of her kidneys were too high. Her doctors at home says that she has lived unusually long despite this disease. About 3 weeks ago, she became unresponsive for about 3 days. Before she came to, her doctor said that she was in "transition". He was shocked to see her come in to see him the next week. She continues to be very week however. She has had blood tranfusions and is beginning temporary dialysis to remove more fluid from her body. She is an evangelist and has very strong faith. This disease has caused her to hallucinate at times which is very hard for me. She does not appear to be the mother I have known. But I continue to fight with her. I was wondering if anyone else has entered this stage or has a family member who has. My mother is 56 years old. I am 35. We need more time together.

 

On 9/21/2007 1st Daughter wrote:

My mother was diagnosed with bile duct cancer 7 years ago which spread to the liver. Throughout these years, she's undergone treatment and continued to have a good quality of life. However, back in May she develop fluid that started around her chest throughout the rest of her body. She went to Cancer Treatment Centers of America and they could not treat her because the creatin levels of her kidneys were too high. Her doctors at home says that she has lived unusually long despite this disease. About 3 weeks ago, she became unresponsive for about 3 days. Before she came to, her doctor said that she was in "transition". He was shocked to see her come in to see him the next week. She continues to be very week however. She has had blood tranfusions and is beginning temporary dialysis to remove more fluid from her body. She is an evangelist and has very strong faith. This disease has caused her to hallucinate at times which is very hard for me. She does not appear to be the mother I have known. But I continue to fight with her. I was wondering if anyone else has entered this stage or has a family member who has. My mother is 56 years old. I am 35. We need more time together.

Hi,

My husband was diagnosed with this cancer in April of this year. The liver was so bad that they couldnot do surgery. He was given some weeks, may be a couple of months. Now we are almost 5 months later and he is doing very well. Went back to his work, plays squash again and gained the lost 10 kilo's weight back. The doctors are stunned about his will to live and the energy he has.

You write your mother had treatment. I would love to know what kind of treatment. Maybe there is something my husband can do or undergo. Did your mother get a stent or more than one stent?

We know the cancer is very slow in growing. As long as the gall can keep flowing the patient doesnot seem to experience pain or anything nasty from this cancer.

I sincerely hope you and your mother will have some more time. I wish you all the strength it takes, because for the caregiver this also is awful.

Iris.

My wife 48 is diagnosed with cholangio/gall bladder cancer one month ago at stage iv. consulted many surgeons and body would perform surgery secondary to large tumor masses in liver and local lymph nodes.  she is getting chemotherapy for three weeks. Please respond with any suggestions or thoughts. She had stunt placed at MD Anderson in houston.

my dads kidneys failed and he had retention throughout his body. at that time docs said at best, 24/48hrs. he pulled through and lasted 7months. they intravenously gave him antibiotics as his lungs were full of fluid. and water retention tablets. he had days that he was unresposive 2wards the end of his battle. it is the bilirubin and toxins from the liver that causes this. plus medication, even piriton 2 relieve the itching adds 2 this. the strain on all the organs is massive. ur mum sounds like a real fighter, its not often u read that sum1 has lived so long with this cancer. i fought 4 my dad as much as i cud, but no1 had the answers. its so hard 2 see sum1 u love change so much. i got my dad on a low dose of keflex antibiotics long term. and ciprofloxin 4 more short term problems. it made a real improvement 2 him. also keep an eye on magnesium levels this cancer really eats at it. and calcium levels. i will be thinking of u and ur mum. although its so sad. its so gd 2 hear that sum1 has lived and fought 4 so much longer than others. xxxxxxxxxx

On 9/21/2007 1st Daughter wrote:

My mother was diagnosed with bile duct cancer 7 years ago which spread to the liver. Throughout these years, she's undergone treatment and continued to have a good quality of life. However, back in May she develop fluid that started around her chest throughout the rest of her body. She went to Cancer Treatment Centers of America and they could not treat her because the creatin levels of her kidneys were too high. Her doctors at home says that she has lived unusually long despite this disease. About 3 weeks ago, she became unresponsive for about 3 days. Before she came to, her doctor said that she was in "transition". He was shocked to see her come in to see him the next week. She continues to be very week however. She has had blood tranfusions and is beginning temporary dialysis to remove more fluid from her body. She is an evangelist and has very strong faith. This disease has caused her to hallucinate at times which is very hard for me. She does not appear to be the mother I have known. But I continue to fight with her. I was wondering if anyone else has entered this stage or has a family member who has. My mother is 56 years old. I am 35. We need more time together.