Help my dad has stage 4 gallbladder cancer

Hello!  Three years ago my dad had his gallbladder removed becase he was having gallbladder attacks (gallstones).  When they removed it and a biopsy was done they told him he had gallbladder cancer.. A couple of weeks later they took a biopsy on his liver to make sure it didnt spread...  The doctors told him he was good "no cancer has  spread" and to come back in 5 years. ......... Well its 3 years later and he was having weight loss and also he had pain.  I took my dad to the doctor they did a petscan and the abdominal area we were told lit up.. Therefore he was sceduled to do a biopsy which came back that he had stage IV gallbladder cancer that has spread to the lining of the abdomen.  He started gemzar chemo last week. The encologist told him he will be doing this 1x a week for 3 weeks then 1 week off and then repeat...for 2-3 months and then they will do a catscan.  Has anyone been through this that can give me information on it??

Looking on the computer and I was told that the survival rate is not that great ( only a couple of months).. I sometimes question myself are we doing the right thing by making him go through all this chemo?

Please Help!

 

 

I can't believe they told your dad to come 5 years later.   My mom has stage 4 gall bladder cancer as well.  She was diagnosed January 2008 and has been through 5 different chemo regimens.  She has also been taking natural supplements as well as drinking juice every morning that consists of watercress, spinach, brocolli, cauliflower and maybe some other vegetables that I can not remember. 

We went to 3 doctors in the beginning and the only gave her 6 months to live.  Chemo was the only option for us because we want to do anything to keep her here with us.  I knew my mom was strong was strong enough to take the chemo and thats why we decided to go for it.  Her first 3 months of chemo she was feeling great and her maerkers were going down.  After the 3 months the first treatment wasn't functioning and they changed it.  The next two months weren't so good.  She was weak and nauseaus, but overall I think she did well.  That treatment wasn't working on her so she has been under a new treatment since September and so far she is doing great. 

I think a lot of what helps my mom get by is the emotional support.  Also, the natural juice she drinks every morning helps cleanse her system and she's been so good with her diet.  I don't know how realistic it is that she will be cancer free because this cancer is so rare and the survival rate is not high, but I am thankful she has been here 10 months more than 6.  We are still hoping that there will be a positive outcome to this.

  

I wish you and your father strength through this terrible ordeal.  My mom was diagnosed in March of 2008 with Gallbladder cancer.  It seemed to spread very quickly to her nodes and liver.  The doctors started my mom on a regimn of radiation 5 days a week and oral chemo.  It proved to be too much for her.  She could not eat, throwing up all the time-mostly bile.  She passed away aug. 10, 2008.  she was 68 years old.  One of my biggest regrets is not asking enough questions.  We danced around the subject, but never were direct enough to ask how much time she had left or how the treatments would effect her.  I am n no way saying that your father's case is anything like my mothers, but what I have learned is that some doctors will never talk about it unless you badger them for an answer.  Before treatment my mom was feeling better and eating, she was managing her pain with medication.  I wish they had told us that the treatments were not going to help, I think she would have had a much better quality of life.  We were afraid to ask in front of her, and she and my dad never brought it up.  Your father has a right to know absolutely everything so don't let them "beat around the bush".  Be well informed, know your options.  I hope and pray that your father will beat this evil disease.

On 10/11/2008 martiou15 wrote:

Hello!  Three years ago my dad had his gallbladder removed becase he was having gallbladder attacks (gallstones).  When they removed it and a biopsy was done they told him he had gallbladder cancer.. A couple of weeks later they took a biopsy on his liver to make sure it didnt spread...  The doctors told him he was good "no cancer has  spread" and to come back in 5 years. ......... Well its 3 years later and he was having weight loss and also he had pain.  I took my dad to the doctor they did a petscan and the abdominal area we were told lit up.. Therefore he was sceduled to do a biopsy which came back that he had stage IV gallbladder cancer that has spread to the lining of the abdomen.  He started gemzar chemo last week. The encologist told him he will be doing this 1x a week for 3 weeks then 1 week off and then repeat...for 2-3 months and then they will do a catscan.  Has anyone been through this that can give me information on it??

Looking on the computer and I was told that the survival rate is not that great ( only a couple of months).. I sometimes question myself are we doing the right thing by making him go through all this chemo?

Please Help!

 

 

I have had gallbladder cancer since Jan 03. My cancer has also moved to the liver. I have received the same treatment as your Dad plus TARCEVA in pill form. I have also been on other chemo treatments which have worked well but because of the side effects I was taken off. If I can be of more assistance please let me know. Bill M