New to the site....my dad's story...

Dom 68 · New User Joined: 03 Aug 2007 Posts: 4

Hello, my name's Domenic. My dad was diagnosed with cirrohsis 5years ago, mainly due to alchohol, (italians like their wine). Anyway, between it and his diabetes, you would of never known he was sick. Between regualar 6 month ultra sounds, they recently found 2 growths on the liver, 1.5 cm, and 3 cm. He under went an MRI, 2 CT scans, bone scan and chest x-ray. All to determine if it had spread, and to see if a resection was an option. Well it was a go ahead with the operation to cut out the larger tumor, and freeze the smaller. 10 hours later we find out that the damage to the liver via cirrohsis was to extreme to attempt the surgery, so all he got out of it was a 12" scar. We would now be looking at attempting a "tace" or transarterial chemoembolization, which is probably happening sometime today while I'm at work here. I am sceptical as to if this will extend his life from what I've been able to find out. I am a firm believer in quality of life not quantity. I hope that even if this doesn't shrink his tumors, it doesn't hurt any liver cells.
He's a very strong 72 yr old man, and is always positive. He feels anything over 70 years of age was a bonus. He's been very close to me and my family. We've worked together and played together. I'll keep you posted as to how it goes... My heart goes out to anyone in this situation....

brainman

Dominic, I am so sorry about your father and that his tumor cannot be surgically removed. That happens a lot of times when other things have caused damage already. Have the doctors actually confirmed that he has cancer? Where they able to do a biopsy of any cancerous cells or is all that they found scar tissue?

It does not sound very good for your father. My thoughts and my prayers are with you, your father, and your family. Keep us posted.
_________________
Jim
Site Administrator and long-term cancer survivor
1992 Astrocytoma grade 2, left motor strip
2005 Recurrence this time said to be an Oligodendroglioma grade 3, same location.
My Story Part 1: http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?p=7350
My Story Part 2: http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?t=8029
Blog http://jimhawkinsport.blogspot.com/

Dom 68 · New User Joined: 03 Aug 2007 Posts: 4

Well, my dad had the tace 2 days ago, and he seems to be doing really well! We hope that this has bought some time. And yes they did a biopsy, but when I asked about it, they said it was not if it was a question of cancer, but that they wanted a sample of normal liver cells to see if he would be able to handle the tace procedure. Thanks for you prayers. I hope we can have him around with good health for awhile.... I will keep posting his progress. Thanks!

Cisco's Daughter · Regular Joined: 12 Jul 2007 Posts: 19

Hi Domenic,
Your dad sounds like my dad, the same with the diabetes and cirrohsis situation...he also didn't seem sick. He just started losing a lot of weight and tumors were found in his liver. But he hasn't been given any hope of treatment, like TACE or anything. I feel so hopeless.

But enough of my problems...your dad is in my prayers that he'll react to the procedure and be able to be with your family for a longer time. I'm glad we can all support each other in this way, it helps a lot believe me.

Dom 68 · New User Joined: 03 Aug 2007 Posts: 4

Hello, I'm very sorry to here about your father...My prayers are also with him. This seems to be an all too common scenario... I brought my dad home from the hospital this morning. He seems generally o.k. but very tired. The first evening of the day they did the TACE treatment I found him to have yellowish skin, but the next morning his color returned to him. He did have reddish cheeks though, which lasted a couple of days. Now he seems to look like before all this had started. I may be getting my hopes up, because we won't know for 4-6 weeks, when his radiologist team sees him again to see if they made any progress with the tumors. My fingers are crossed. We need a break this year... Since January, I've lost 2 uncles, and an aunt, 2 to cancer, and another uncle and my father diagnosed with cancer in the last 2 months.... Sometimes it sucks being Italian with the big families we have... You get hurt that much more when they are all so close to us....Oh well, like the Rolling Stones sang.." what a drag it is getting old"...

Dom 68 · New User Joined: 03 Aug 2007 Posts: 4

Well, here we are 4 months later, and dad has had 2 more Tace treatments since August. They told him that the small tumor is not detectable anymore, and the larger tumor has shrunk considerably in size...Other than a sore stomach which lasted a week or so..dad has responded amazingly to this treatment. He still comes in to my shop daily to help out for a few hours, and is even scheduled to take their annual trip to Mazatlan Mexico in January. You would never know this guy has cirosis, diabetes and cancer!! Even if this progress is shortlived, I think we need to remember that everyday alive and well is a gift. I only wish this progress would of been possible with so many others who are, and have suffered in the past. At least I hope this is a positive message to others who may be in question about this procedure... I hope all of you have a wonderful Christmas, and for those of you who have lost or are losing loved ones...to have faith that you will see them again some day....
-Dom

brainman

Dom, good to here that your father is doing so well. I hope he has a good time in Mexico and a very Merry Christmas.
_________________
Jim
Site Administrator and long-term cancer survivor
1992 Astrocytoma grade 2, left motor strip
2005 Recurrence this time said to be an Oligodendroglioma grade 3, same location.
My Story Part 1: http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?p=7350
My Story Part 2: http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?t=8029
Blog http://jimhawkinsport.blogspot.com/

laupw

Hello Dom,
This is excellent news! There is hope.

Wish you all the best Christmas, both you and your Father.

God bless you,
phil

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