Linitis Plastica - Father Passed Away In Dec 06

When my father found out he had this form of stomach cancer he did all the research, including visiting this board.  He had is stomach removed in April 06 and was on X loda chemo.  We were hopeful that we would have at least a few more years and he fought it well.  It's a strong cancer though and it finally got him and he passed away in December.  It took 8 months.  I read another entry of the same timeframe.  I wish there was better news but it's a shocker of a cancer.  He was a strong character in body and mind.  He was 70 which sounds old, but he was very young and active and we all had the expectation that he would live until he was 90.  So I feel robbed of 20 years with my gorgeous Dad.  I hope that others on this board are diagnosed sooner and have Drs who are skilled in dealing with it more effectively.

I am so sorry for your loss.  I will soon be in the same position.  My father was diagnosed a week ago with stage four stomach cancer that has spread to liver, colon, & abdominal wall.  They give him 2 months, six at the most.  He just turned 60.  I know what you mean by feeling robbed.  I wanted him to see his grandson grow up.  My son is only three & loves his pop-pop.  Now he won't be able to remember much about him since he is so small.  If it is not too painful to talk about, did your father have trouble with ascites (build up of fluid) during his final stages?  Also, what foods did he tolerate best?  My apologies if these questions are too difficult.  Its just that this has happened so fast & I want to know what I can do to make him as comfortable as possible. thank you.

My father passed away in October of 2006.  He was diagnosed with stage 4 stomach cancer (linitis plastica) in December of 2005.  My father was 66 years old when he passed away.  He did have trouble with ascites with his cancer.  They did drain his ascities one time.  The chemo will eliminate the ascites if it is working correctly.  Dad had a large build up of ascites at this death, he was very bloated.  Our Dr. told us that the general rule is to drain it only at the patients request (i.e. it is too uncomfortable for the patient). 

My dad hated the protein drinks such as Boost.  If you can get your dad to drink them that would be great as it is important to get as many nutrients, proteins, and calories as he can get.  Stomach cancer and chemo both mess up a persons sense of taste.  Your dad may be very different from mine.  My dad could tolerate water and milk well.  He liked cereal and he ate of all thinks black-eye peas alot.  I was able to get him to drink Carnation Instant Breakfast drinks.

May God bless you all during this tough time.

 

On 1/26/2007 Texasfam wrote:

My father passed away in October of 2006.  He was diagnosed with stage 4 stomach cancer (linitis plastica) in December of 2005.  My father was 66 years old when he passed away.  He did have trouble with ascites with his cancer.  They did drain his ascities one time.  The chemo will eliminate the ascites if it is working correctly.  Dad had a large build up of ascites at this death, he was very bloated.  Our Dr. told us that the general rule is to drain it only at the patients request (i.e. it is too uncomfortable for the patient). 

My dad hated the protein drinks such as Boost.  If you can get your dad to drink them that would be great as it is important to get as many nutrients, proteins, and calories as he can get.  Stomach cancer and chemo both mess up a persons sense of taste.  Your dad may be very different from mine.  My dad could tolerate water and milk well.  He liked cereal and he ate of all thinks black-eye peas alot.  I was able to get him to drink Carnation Instant Breakfast drinks.

May God bless you all during this tough time.

 

My father just passed away Jan 9th. He was diagnosed with stage 4 linitis plastic in early Aug 06 so it was only 5 months before the cancer took his life. I was just wondering...did your dad have any surgery at all? I wonder if we didn't give my dad the stomach bypass surgery it would've helped him to live longer. Thank you for your reply.

No, my father did not receive any surgery.  His stomach and esphogus were too involved with the cancer for surgery.  His cancer had also spread.  Surgery would have weakened him and the cancer would have taken him sooner.  He only had chemo, which worked well for his first round.  The second round did not go well and he had to pull off of treatment.