CancerCompass message board discussion started by Bereavedson on 7/1/2007 http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,13941,0.htm Fri, 05 Sep 2008 00:00:00 GMT Fri, 05 Sep 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://backend.userland.com/rss RSS.NET: http://www.rssdotnet.com/ On June 29, my mom died of advanced HCC triggered by a hepatitis c infection we believe was contracted at a local hospital in the late 80's. She was such a loving and caring lady and I was honoured to be her son. The doctors could offer no treatment options aside from palliative care because of the condition of her liver. I only discovered the seriousness of her condition at the beginning of  May when we went as a family to see her GP.  <>My father and I did what we could but after researching the disease, we knew there would be no positive outcome. We decided to look after her at home for as long as possible. The disease progressively robbed her of her vitality and mental capacity. It was heart-wrenching to see her decline so rapidly from the strong energetic and intelligent woman I once knew. In the final month she ate very little and her mental confusion worsened substantially. Ascites and jaundice set in. We took her to the hospital in mid-June in the hope that the doctors there might be able to induce a temporary recovery. They gave her lactulose and that seemed to improve things for about one week. In the last week, she was barely aware of our presence and entered a delerious state before passing. Her final AFP level was measured at 27000. <> If your loved one is in a similar situation, it is important not to assume things will get better because that might make you complacent about spending quality time with them from the onset. Assume the worst, hope for the best even if the situation is hopeless. <><> a bereaved son Bereavedson Sun, 01 Jul 2007 00:00:00 GMT I am so sorry for your loss and hopefully one day, there will be a cure for this cancer.  My prayers are with you and your family. Irisv Fri, 06 Jul 2007 00:00:00 GMT My prayers are with you. I am going through this same thing only in my case its my Dad. His went very fast though In about 3 weeks he went from being able to do his job and normal life to being 6 feet under. He went from walking to not being able to roll himself in 2 days. 2005 Equinox Sat, 21 Jul 2007 00:00:00 GMT I wish it were not so late, I would run to My Mom's house, hug her all night and tell her how much I love her. Your stories broke my heart. My thoughts and prayers are with you and yours. SAVEMYFRIEND Fri, 03 Aug 2007 00:00:00 GMT