Last days

My colon cancer metastisized to my liver,had right hypectomy year 8/2008.Tumors have returned,was doing chemo every 2 weeks,then 3 weeks,now none since chemo has damaged my marrow,platelets to low for chemo-none since 6/29.Believe I am in my last days.Question is what is it like when liver begins to shut down and other organs begin shutting down???

I'm not the best one to respond to your questions, but I will say first off...I'm so sorry to hear your cancer seems to have progressed like this.  My Dad is fighting his stage 4 colon cancer right now too and it seems like his is progressing as well.  I hope that others are able to give you information, I am not sure the answer to your questions.  I will say that I would discuss your questions with your oncologist.  It also sounds like you feel you're towards the end but not that it's something your oncologist has said.  I think people really know thier own bodies so I don't doubt how you feel but I would really talk to your doctor.  If he (or she) agrees that it's to that point you should talk to them about Hospice.  I'm not saying you need it right now but maybe you'll want them in the future?  If nothing else I think they are very reputible and would be able to give you some emotional support and good medical information.  Again, I'm so sorry to hear of your situation but from the sounds of it you have been a fighter.  You should be so proud of yourself and what you've been through regardless.  Please keep us posted.  If anyone else is reading this that has information for John please let him know.  God bless you John! 

Hi John,

Have you looked into Phase 1/ Phase 2 clinical trials? My father has stage 4 colon cancer, he also has run out of chemo options. He was told in May that he had 2-3 months to live. He signed up for phase 1 clinical trials and was selected to participate in one. He received an oncolytic virus which is designed to attack and destroy tumours. This virus, called JX-594 is based on the vaccine for smallpox virus. My father didnt have any major side effects from this, only some mild cold symptoms during the first 12 hours. His latest scan showed that the tumour has not progressed. It has not shrunk as they were hoping, but it has not grown either, so this could possibly extend my fathers life. It has been 3 months since he was told he had 2/3 months to live, and he is still feeling very well, eating and he is very active.

I found another trial that looks really promising its very similar to the virus study, here is a link:

http://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT00673322

 

Johnon

Have you checked into clinical trials?  Clinical Trials do offer hope, oftentimes extended lifespans -- and, in some cases, a cure.  I do hope you will give this a shot.  At minimum, you'll be bravely donating your last days towards a cure for cancer. 

Second, if I were in your shoes, I'd be asking my insurance companies about hospice care.  Then from that information, I'd be on the phone asking the Hospice care professionals for answers.  Hospice professionals are the best ones who can best answer your questions directly. 

Indeed, I'm alive and this side of the grass --- and so to are many of the caregivers and patients currently communicating on this board.  In short, although we have yet to cross that bridge -- and we all will one day as all life is terminal be it from cancer or car accidents or simply quietly passing away in our sleep -- none of us has yet crossed that bridge.   So, maybe it's best that you ask an expert -- and that expert is someone who has helped patients cross that bridge - a hospice care worker. 

My prayers are with you....

Paula Jean  

Your message is a hard one to read. I think everyone of us who is faced with cancer wonders how it will end. My mom passed from ovarian cancer and she wasn't afraid of dying, so she told me, but I knew she was, but she said she was afraid of the process. Hospice told us when things would shut down, she would get sleepy and sleep. It was peaceful. For us kids, it was sad yes, but also very happy for her. To find out later, she was met by her mother and sister. She said she never "felt so alive and loved". It was like taking a dirty pair of coveralls  (being her body) off and not wanting it any more. Your new body is perfect and will never fail you as this one has to. We are here for only hours in the realm of eternity. We all have to take our turn returning home and when we get there, we wonder why we were afraid to leave this earth. Heaven mirrors the earth in perfection, where our loved ones wait for us and where we will wait for the others to follow. The day we die is the best day of our lives. We have never experienced the love here on earth as we will in heaven. We don't die, we just pass thru a thin veil into eternal life. I know I've been here beforeand I told my mom before she passed over, if she had a chance to come back, don't. We are done with the earthly bodies.  We have only come here to learn lessons and to better our spirit being.                           With all that being said, don't give up, do the trials, ask God to heal you. Pray, Pray, Pray.Every single prayer is heard. God knows your pain, fear and uncertainty. He will not leave you. Ask and you shall receive, seek and you shall find, knock and the door will open.  Find time to be alone with the Lord, Pray, talk, cry, ask for anything you want and then be quiet and listen. He will give you the answers and inner peace.  God blessings be with you and your family. My prayers are with you. 

This is some good information about the clinical trials. How do  I find out about these  clinical trials. I want the information for my mom.Her cancer has spread to her bowels and I will like to know who i can speak to. I not happy with  doctors responses. please, can you post  this information on my  blogs

http://howtostaystrongforaloveone.blogspot.com/.