Please tell me there is hope.my dad is diagnosed with stage IV

I remember the waiting is the hardest.  You want so bad to tackle the cancer and it seems that you do more waiting than actually battling.

I know my mom was discouraged by her feeding tube experience.  She couldn't get up to 5 cans so, your Dad is doing well on that front.  She could not eat or drink orally.  She also was impeccable at keeping her tube flushed regularly and she still had problems at times with clogging.  The nurses say it has no rhyme nor reason because they have seen some patients never properly clean them and never have an issue and yet others like my mom seem prone to problems with theirs.  I remember my mom feeling dependant on it and it was an adjustment for her.  She had always been self sufficient.  She never admitted to it but, I can only imagine how scary it must be to know that your life depends on a apparatus.  My mom stayed extremely strong through her experience but, she did need the help of antidepressants to help with the tremendous load she was carrying.

Take care

Keep Smilin 

caregiver-

my dad is up to 7 cans thru a 24 hour period now so im kind of glad about that.he still is not eating any solids via mouth,just a little soup evry now and them.i think he gained a pound or 2,he is up to 139 lbs.he was able to have his 2nd round of kemo on thursday,another thing im happy about.the only thing now is we dont know if when his scheduled kemo is supposed to happen,whether or not he will indeed be getting it.it depends on his blood.

thankyou for your prayers

cncguy

update 2/24/08 8:35 pm seems as though we take 1 step forward and then 2 steps back.my dad had to go to the bathroom,so he unhooked himself from his feeding tube,and after the bathroom visit he noticed his tube fell out.he stepped on the line accidently and it pulled out.he wanted to wait until tomorrow to get things fixed but needless to say he is at emergency room now as we speak.the doc who looked at him said that it's an easy fix as long as they have the correct size tube.after that it's off for xrays to make sure evrything is ok.

thats all for now.

cncguy

what a week this has been.on sunday my dad accidently stepped on his feedingtube line and it pulled out of his stomach.he didnt want to go to the hospital after it happened,instead he wanted to wait until the next morning.well,he didnt have a choice,he was brought to the ER.at the ER we were told that the replacement of the tube should be an easy fix,providing they have the correct size tube available.wel,not available which meant minor surgery to install.after the surgery my dad had a breathing problem and they were going to sedate him and put a tube down his throat.my brother wanted to visit with the doctors and find out first hand what was going on.on his way to the hospital,my dad's girlfriend gets a call from the hospital asking her who the next of kin is.she in turned told them my brother is actually on his way down there and gave them his number.2 minutes later the phone rings,its my brother,he tells me that after surgery our dad was not stable and we had to discuss a few things (otions)and one of them being the doctors wanted to put lines in him to get him stable.well of course we were all for that.there was mention too that my dad might have developed pneumonia.last night was a very critical night so i left the house to be with my brother and our dad.when i arrived the lines were put in my dad and he was breathing via a machine.because the were pumping all kinds of meds into my dad,his face swelled up.that there was a shocker,didnt even look like my dad.i wasnt expecting that at all.we left a few hours later,left all phones on all night,said a few prayers,and before i knew it it was time to get up and go to work.i called the hospital in the AM and was told that the xrays taken last night were to find out if the lines that were put in were ok,which they were.few hours later i call and find out my dad is responding to all meds very well,although still sedated,he is alert from time to time but only for a few seconds.i went to visit him tonight,and he looks much better,still sedated,but is breathing on his own and he doesnt have pneumonia.my dad opened his eyes and tried to talk,but couldnt understand him.i didnt want him to talk,i told him to not be afraid,we will get you through this.they are looking to move him out of ICU to a different room for recovery and im hoping that they will start the feedings with the tube again.one of the things i was able to understand my dad saying was that he was hungry,but figured that out when he was making a chewing movement with his mouth.well thats about it for now.

Oh my gosh!!!  I am so sorry for what your family has had to go through or rather your father has had to endure.  It sure can all change at a moments notice.  I hope the next big change for him will be for the better :)

I think I have mentioned before my mother had some issues with her j-tube as well and one time too she had to have hers replaced in the ER.  Luckily it went well though as they did have the correct tube on hand but, I remember the disappointment and worry when we had to go to the ER because it was not functioning.

I want to say I can't believe the drastic change in your Dad's condition but, that is how it happened with my mom as well.  I guess that is why every moment has to be the best moment possible when you are with him.  I was relieved to read the latter part of your message, that he was showing signs of improvement.  Its so amazing how the human body can work.  It almost sounds as if your Dad's body decided to shut down in order to reserve all of his inner strength.  When things calmed down some, he began to emerge.  I truly hope that is what happens for him.

You know one thing you mentioned at the very end of your message was that he was possibly hungry.  I can not speak for him but, I know when my mom was heavily sedated and hooked up to the oxygen she got very dry in the mouth and wanted me to keep her mouth and lips moist with sponge swabs whenever possible (the hospital supplied them).  Just a thought?

Thankyou for keeping us posted of your father's condition.  He will remain in our prayers.

Take care 

Keep Smiling-

thanks for the reply.i guess there stiill is hope.i called the hospital at lunch today and was told my dad was watching tv,his condition improved overnight and was going to be transferred out of surgical ICU into a different room forrecovery.i called when i got out of work i called and indeed he was transferred to a different room and the nurse asked if i wanted to talk to him?talk to him?? my reply was he can talk?then i said im on my way to see him anyway and just in case he has trouble talking i dont want him to do so.i arrive at the hospital and as im walkingin i hear someone talking and it wasy my dad.he was talking to the other patient in his room.my dad actually looked like my dad!i actaully couldnt believe what was happening.my dad improved so much in the past 2 days its unbelievable.spoke with a few doctors,one of which actually gave me the entire scoop of what happened.the fact that my dad needed a J-tube replacement was actually a 5 minute procedure.it was what happened after that.since my dad was in the lying down position,they think he aspirated therefore fluid ended up in his lungs.it was then that my dads condition was dangerous as his blood pressure dropped as well.he is currently on oxygen,but not using a mask,just using the clear tube around his face and nostrils.he is also getting a IV drip to help things and is getting fed thru his feedin tube.one thing that makes sense is if he was in the lying down position when he asprated,and he has had prolems at home in the past with his low blood pressure,this makes me think that maybe he should be a little more alert on how his sleeps.maybe he shouldnt lye flat.im going to mention it to him tomorrow.there was word that he might go home tomorrow,he wants out of the hospital too,claiming its too cold and claustrophobic (sp).my dad hasnt gotten up and walked around yet.i dont think is a good idea if he is discharged tomorrow.im supposed to apeak with the doctors tomorrow morning and see what they say.overall i feel a little better about things.oh yeah,i did see my dad had a cup of water with what looked like a toothbrush with a sponge on the end.he was using this on his lips and toungue.

so long for now

My dad was diagnosed with stomach cancer stage 4 in Jan of 08, he has a chemo port put in so he has chem 24-7 he had a feeding tube put in which has helped wonders, he has radiation everyday for 6 weeks, then after radiation they will change the chemo drug to a stronger drug, this has been so hard, the doctors said it will get worse before it gets better, well the doctor who put in his feeding tube left the tube in too far and he vomited for 5 days and lost 11 pounds, he had to get hydrated for 3 days 2 hours each time, he got the feeding tube pulled out some and now is doing so much better, he cant eat food hardly it tears his stomach up but he can have liquids, he uses his feeding tube 6 times a day with no problems, his chemo hasnt caused any side effects the doctors says it is a light  dose and that after radiation he will have a stronger dose, his cancer has spread to the lymph nodes and liver too but their is always hope never ever give up, the doctors says they have good chances now even if he gets to live another year that will be ok by all of us, at least he got that year of course my dad wants 10 and I pray to god to keep him from suffering I cant stand the suffering that is the hardest part to see a parent go thru this, My father is so brave and strong all of you people who have been affected by this cancer keep your heads up and pray and never ever lose faith and hope it whats gets you thru the day,

Take care of yourself also Jennifer

hi jennifer-

   thanks for your reply.my dad has been home from the hospital since monday evening and today he went for his 3rd round of kemo.when i last visited him sunday evening,he needed help walking with a walker.i found out today my adad didnt want to bring the walker and actually walked today on his own without it.this entire thing has been a tough battle and i hope that my dad is able to eat through his mouth very soon.when we speak on the phone he tells me about all the meals he wants to eat when he is able to do so.my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family throughout this difficult time.

god bless

cncguy

My husband was diagnosed with this exact same cancer 3 years ago.  Gastroesophageal junction cancer, stage IV.  Food felt like it was getting stuck in his throat.  Weight loss.  After surgery, chemo and radiation and palliative chemo, after two years, they said he was doing very well - didn't say cured but were very optimistic.  Around Christmas 2007, the same symptoms, food getting stuck, weight loss.  They inserted a J tube but at that point they found that the cancer has spread into his mesentery and was again in his stomach.  He passed away February 22, 2008.  Please don't let this depress you, every patient is different.  For my husband to live with stage IV cancer for three years is a miracle.  He fought like a warrior.  I hear Gleevac (spelling?) is a good drug for advanced stomach cancer.  My prayers are with you.

Diane

Hi All,

I pray and hope all is going good with your family members, My dad is up too 6 cans they doctors said eight but he can only do six yes each person is different their size depends on how many cans they can take, my dad was over 230 pounds he is now down too 196 pounds he is very weak and tired most days he lays in bed and sleeps he has 2 more radiation treatments lots of pain in his stomach, he tried soup twice but it burned too much too do a third time, he stops chemo today for a month, he can walk but barely he is so tired all the time but he is in good spirits and never complains, he is extremely strong, He has gained some weight back which is good, he drinks slurpees alot to ease the burning and popsicles, they help him and he takes Tums which help and also vicodin for the pain he hates too take it but will when it gets bad, i  just hope everyone is doing better on this message board, also remember caretakers to also take care of yourselves too, i will pray for all of you.

Take care Jennifer