What Can I Do?

Hi all. I happened across this site tonight and thought I could find some people in similar situations as myself that I can talk to and get some advice from.

My father was diagnosed this past tuesday with advanced liver cancer (adenocarcinoma) that has moved to his pelvis and spine. The doctor said that he has had it for a very long time, years, yet he has had no pain until recently, he has not gotten jaundiced, and there were no signs until after his recent triple-bypass when his back started to hurt (there is cancer on his lower spine).The doctor did not give a prognosis and I'm not sure if this is a good thing or not. It's very hard to see the good side of these situations. He said they are going to start radiation for the pain in his bones, and then begin chemo to treat the liver. He did say that this was treatable, but not curable. What does that mean? I want to have a good outlook, but I'm at a very bad place right now and I'm extremely confused. I'm also on the verge of going to medical school and I wish so much that I could help him on a medical level right now! I feel useless.  

Just two weeks ago my boyfriend and I got engaged. I want my father to walk me down the isle, but I don't know if he will be able to and it's killing me. I'm almost frantic trying to figure out if I can get a wedding together by May 2007 so my father can see me get married.

Please, if anyone has any advice for me on treatments, natural or medical, or any good vibes for me please please pass them on. Thank you to all.

-Veronica 

Hi Veronica,  I'm really sorry to hear about your Dad.  I'm a Dad as well with similiar situation.  I have cholangiocarcinoma of the liver and it went to both of my lungs.  I had a liver resection and lung biopsy surgerys and 3 different chemo treatments, and 1 3 weeks treatment of 3D conformal radiation to the liver.  I just started my 4th type of chemo treatment today.  Veronica, I was first diagnosed in 1999.  This March, 07 will be 8 years batttling my cancer.  Hope is always in the air.  Don,t be afraid to talk with your Dad and give him a big hug.  I personally got frustrated when I saw my children trying to tough it out and trying not to bother or worry me.  I let them know it was alright  and I told them the whole scoop.  This cancer; Like you have been told is treatable but is not curable;(most of the time!)  Treatrments can slow the progression and in a lot of causes shrink the size of the tumors by killing the cancerous cells.  All treatments available react differentl on everyone. We all have different genetic make ups /DNA and different things may have triggered the cancer.  Veronica, I said (most of the time) as there has been a lucky few that have beaten this monster of cancer thats why I have not given up hope!!!  Believe me, Us Dad's with cancer want to be around for all the special times and celebrations.  Dad's also can understand the reality that it might not be possible and then again Maybe it is!!!  

God's Srength to All

Jefff

P.S. I actually have 2 little grandchildren I'm fighting for That I didn't even think I would seen born.  There is Hope!!!!

On 1/22/2007 Jeffger wrote:

Hi Veronica,  I'm really sorry to hear about your Dad.  I'm a Dad as well with similiar situation.  I have cholangiocarcinoma of the liver and it went to both of my lungs.  I had a liver resection and lung biopsy surgerys and 3 different chemo treatments, and 1 3 weeks treatment of 3D conformal radiation to the liver.  I just started my 4th type of chemo treatment today.  Veronica, I was first diagnosed in 1999.  This March, 07 will be 8 years batttling my cancer.  Hope is always in the air.  Don,t be afraid to talk with your Dad and give him a big hug.  I personally got frustrated when I saw my children trying to tough it out and trying not to bother or worry me.  I let them know it was alright  and I told them the whole scoop.  This cancer; Like you have been told is treatable but is not curable;(most of the time!)  Treatrments can slow the progression and in a lot of causes shrink the size of the tumors by killing the cancerous cells.  All treatments available react differentl on everyone. We all have different genetic make ups /DNA and different things may have triggered the cancer.  Veronica, I said (most of the time) as there has been a lucky few that have beaten this monster of cancer thats why I have not given up hope!!!  Believe me, Us Dad's with cancer want to be around for all the special times and celebrations.  Dad's also can understand the reality that it might not be possible and then again Maybe it is!!!  

God's Srength to All

Jefff

P.S. I actually have 2 little grandchildren I'm fighting for That I didn't even think I would seen born.  There is Hope!!!!

  

Thank you for these incouraging words. i am filled hope. My husband has HCC and I am trying so hard not to be devastated. Dr.'s just give a baseline answer of ! yr and that IS so frustrating. None of our Dr.'s want us to have hope...But by God's grace I do!!!!. I am going to print this message for my husband to read. He is only 36. We have 2 babies under 3 and he also needs hope and lots of prayer! Thank u so much!!!!!

Thank you so much for your kind words and encouragement. I am trying to look at my situation with the utmost hope and a good outlook but it is very hard. We went for the radiation consultation today. They are giving him 3 weeks of treatments, 5 days a week. I have been looking into some natural cancer fighting herbal remedies and such, and have found a few promising ones through friends. We will do everything we can, and fortunately God knows the right time for my father to join him. I just feel in my heart that this isn't it quite yet. Again, it is hard not to think about the future when you have to take it day by day. You however, have inspired me greatly. Thanks again. Please keep in touch and let me know how you're doing. Also if you have any advice please feel free to give it!

 -Veronica

All the best to you for this kind and thoughtful message.

you 've given A LOT of us great hope, and our prayers and thoughts are with YOU as well.

hello..my 42 yr old husband also has HCC..one hospital just sent us home and was given 3-6 mos..we found another hospital and this great

dr. that is trying everything out there to help my husband..their compassion and this dr. great effort to help my husband really changed

our outlook and ready to fight on...dont' give up..it is so hard esp when

their having more bad days than ok days..my husband is living it and all

I can do is watch and offer emotional support..be strong bec. he will be

leaning on you a lot...healing blessing to your family ~ Lennie

 Sometimes I find this board discouraging as people post and do not seem to come back.  All cancer is a monster.  Liver and mets is particularly hard to recover from.  Some people believe in prayer and meditation which always help.  Bio feedback like seeing your cancer cells destroyed and replacing with good ones also works.  I did 30 minutes plus per day on this exercise.  Seeing yourself living on also is another.  I took natural supplements and they do not work for everyone.  I just received a news letter from a doctor that practices natural medicine: Here goes

He recomneds Artemisinin plus oxygen therapy.  He quotes Dr Warburg of Germany who earned 2 nobel prizes on this subject. " His research showed that all cancers had a common metabolic link.  He found by increasing oxygen to the cells it could prevent as well as spead up healing process in cancer.His paper Metabolism of Carcinoma Cells was published in the 1925 Journal of Cancer research" written by Dr Rowan. 

I take coQ10 in large amounts as it delivers a lot of oxygen to the cells.

Also a supplement called Poly MVA.  found at www.polymva.com for those who have an interest. 

I just hope those who posted earlier in the year come back and read this!   Elaine

On 3/11/2007 Lennie wrote:

hello..my 42 yr old husband also has HCC..one hospital just sent us home and was given 3-6 mos..we found another hospital and this great

dr. that is trying everything out there to help my husband..their compassion and this dr. great effort to help my husband really changed

our outlook and ready to fight on...dont' give up..it is so hard esp when

their having more bad days than ok days..my husband is living it and all

I can do is watch and offer emotional support..be strong bec. he will be

leaning on you a lot...healing blessing to your family ~ Lennie