My Father...

A year ago my father, who is now 57 was diagnosed with Stage 4 pancreatic cancer which had metastised to the liver.  Since then he has done his chemo treatments and for awhile there was "no visible cancer on the pancreas and a few traces of it on the liver".  We were so excited because despite the loss of hair, fingernails and weight he was doing well.  However, it seems that since he's hit the 1 year mark he has started to go down hill.

The last chemo treatment (which was the last one for pancreatic cancer) did not work and the doctor decided to try Alimta which to my understanding is for lung cancer and asbestos.  He's only had one session of that chemo but yesterday he needed a platelet transfusion.  His levels were at 26,000.  His bilirubin levels are also high.  As of last weeks scan, the cancer has now gone to his lymphnodes and to the bones in his lower back.

Does anyone have any info or advice?  Is this a sign that he is in the final stages?  I am his caregiver and my biggest fear is that I will find him dead, I don't know what to do.

Hey Mari,

I was going to ask the same question.  I talked to the nurse at work today and she said if the bilirubin continues to climb it is from the cancer.  The only way for it to go down is to shrink the cancer.  If it keeps climbing it will pollute his system.  That is the same thing that happend to Mom.  I pray it is the chemo doing this and it will resolve.  Hope for the best but expect the worse.

 L

I lost my husband May 07 to PC; I was for the most part his sole care giver.  I recommend you have a heart to heart discussion with his Oncologist.  If it is determined that there is nothing else that can be done, ask the Oncologist to recommend Hospice Care.   It makes a world of difference having someone to help you, especially when you need to still work and be available to provide for your loved one.  I wish I could tell you with certainty what type of signals to watch for, but I can tell you my gut feeling and my instinct or faith, guided me,

All I can offer you is my prayers; and please look for Hospice Care when and if needed.  They are excellent!  they made my husband as comfortable as he could be.

May the Lord be at your side. 

I have to agree with a few others that Hospice Care is a remarkable, wonderful and God sent group of health care professionals.  They made mom's remaining time before going home to heaven a time of comfort as well as making it as pain free as possible. They were able to control any pain that she did have by making adjustments - with her oncologist in full contact and agreement - to her meds. 
I also agree with 'think the best but prepare for the worst' as we had this all in place so that everyone from my brother in Virginia and our work situations would know when we needed to 'drop and run' to be with mom.
Mom was advanced inoperable pancreatic cancer - yet her blood counts were better than they were before finding out about the pancreatic cancer in May 2007 the entire nine months and 15 days that she couragously battled the cancer.  Mom did two treatments of chemo in June 2007 and stopped because the chemo made her sick for 11 days after the second treatment.  Quality of life, at that point, was more important to her - and to us - than quanity of life.  What good was a possible two additional weeks with her if she was too sick and sleeping to enjoy our time together?
Embrace your dad with all the love and care that you can.  Get your dad's doctor to call in Hospice so that you have help.  They will help as little or as much as you request.
Jo's daughter,
Janice