CancerCompass message board discussion started by Godblessdaddy on 3/14/2008 http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,21989,0.htm Thu, 04 Dec 2008 00:00:00 GMT Thu, 04 Dec 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://backend.userland.com/rss RSS.NET: http://www.rssdotnet.com/ My Dad was diagnosed with PC the day my husband deployed for Iraq Sept 07. He was told  it was stage 4 with met to liver and bones of his shoulder so he was not a candidate for surgery. It has continued to spread and is now in his hip bone as well. He went through 2 rounds of chemo and his blood levels continued to climb dramatically, they switched him to an oral chemo with the same results. They have taken him off all of the meds except the blood thinners (he had blood clots in legs and shoulder) and the pain meds were increased. He has alot of pain in his abdomen. Sometimes his energy level is ok and he is able to go to the store and to visit family, others it is not. I know cancer is more art than science, but I am trying to figure out what happens next. There is nothing more they can do as far as treatments go. He has had a second and third opinion say the same things. So far no blockages and no jaundice, but alot of pain and the tumors themselves are spreading very quickly. Our question is, how do we know when we need to get my husband home from Iraq to be able to see him. He wants to visit before my Dad is called home. I am 11 hours away and unable to stay with him because my kids are in school and I work full time. I am trying to get a grasp on some sort of time line or indication that we need to get out there quickly. I feel completely helpless being this far away and feel like an outsider in all of this, but this is my Daddy and I dont want to miss what time he has left. Any help would be appreciated.In HIS hands,Tabby Godblessdaddy Fri, 14 Mar 2008 00:00:00 GMT I'm so sorry to hear that your dad has PC.  I know how horrible the disease is as my dad died on Dec 22,07 from this terrible cancer.  As far as when your husband should come home to visit with him.  In my opinion, i would say now.  This disease progresses so quickly so time isn't on your side.  My dad was showing some improvement in his Ct scans one week and within two to three weeks later the cancer had spread and his condition dramatically worsened. Around a month later he passed away.  You just never know how things could turn.  I can only imagine how hard this has been on you with your dad so far away and your DH in Iraq.  I wish i could give you an exact timeline to ease your worry but i can't.  If you had told me a month before dad died that things were going to turn so quickly, i probably wouldn't have believed it.  So my advise to you is to go to your dad now, spend time with him while he is alert, tell him you love him because no one ever knows when they will be gone.  Suz worriedforthem Fri, 14 Mar 2008 00:00:00 GMT I too know what you are going through.  My father has stage IV with mets to liver, lymph nodes and bones in his back.  Today we got a visit from hospice.  We will see the onc on Monday to see if any further chemo can be given and I will be asking the Hospice nurse what she thinks in terms of time since she deals with this all of the time.  This cancer seems to progress rapidly and I would suspect once you are off of treatment it would spread even faster.  My father seemed to be doing relatively well and all of the sudden in the past 1-2 months he has been on a downward spiral.  He was diagnosed Stage IV February 2007.  I will keep you posted on what the Hospice nurse tells us, but I know everyone is different.Best wishes to you and your family and beleive me everyone here understands.Lauren   4myPapi Fri, 14 Mar 2008 00:00:00 GMT I so agree with the other poster, now is the time for your husband to be here. My father also died of PC and to give you a timeline of sorts, he was golfing in September (with slight abdominal pain) by Thanksgiving he was on serious pain meds with no appetite, and he died on Christmas Day ('06). I'm very sorry that you are going through this. Stay strong, as best you can, and you will make it through. Atlanta_ebride Fri, 14 Mar 2008 00:00:00 GMT Hi,I took care of an uncle with the help of hospice for a year. The end came quickly when it started. Jaundice dident even occur that much so don't count on or wait for that. Now is a good time to spend with him even if he has more time you want to be able to talk to him. It's a hard thing to face but be strong and you will make it. Soon this will all be behind you. Don't be afraid. AngelBaby Sat, 15 Mar 2008 00:00:00 GMT thank you so much for the responses. My heart goes out to each and every one of you. I am sending a msg through red cross tomorrow to try to get my DH home in the next week or so. We will go spend a few days with my dad. I wish it could be more, but it is hard with kids in school. He has had the blessing of a new grandbaby yesterday. They are in CO and he wants to go out to visit, my mom is trying to set up a train trip. That has always been one of his dreams. I pray he has the time to do that.  thanks and God bless!Tabby Godblessdaddy Sat, 15 Mar 2008 00:00:00 GMT I am sorry that you are going through this.  My Mom was diagnosed in July 07 and died in Nov. 07.  Her PC had metasticized to her bones and she was in a great deal of pain.  Hospice was a godsend.  I hope that you are able to spend as much time as possible.  My sister and brother lived out of town and are grateful that they were able to spend the last few days with Mom.  For some great support, go www.pancan.org, Pancreatic Cancer Action Network.  See if there is a local affliate in your area.  My mission now is to try to raise funds for research and awareness of this deadly disease. Take care of yourself. suestl33 Fri, 21 Mar 2008 00:00:00 GMT