Smithfamily
New User
Joined: 31 Dec 2008
Posts: 1
Location: Kingston, Ontario Canada
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 Posted: Thu Jan 01, 2009 2:18 pm Post subject: A very tough holiday season |
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Hello everyone,
I have been reading these forums for some time and now basically just want to share with you the story of my grandfather. I apologize for the length of the tale but it is long, complex, and frustrating.
In 2000 my grandfather had his gall bladder removed after a bout of gall stones and inflamation. It was typical routine surgery and there was no suspicion of cancer. Shortly after his surgery the shunt on the bile duct came off and his abdomen filled with fluid. They rushed him to the hospital and fixed him up. He was fine for some time afterwards.
Shortly after Christmas in 2005 he became very ill, with vomiting, fever and weakness. He was with family in the Northwest Territories of Canada at the time and the diligent doctor up there could not determine the cause. Possibly a flu or virus. The doctor did order a full blood workup to be forwarded to his family doctor in Alberta for followup.
The family doctor didn't seem too concerned about the bloodwork (although it indicated some elevated liver values) and put him on antibiotics. The diagnosis was first a flu, then a stomach infection, and finally a virus of some sort. He was placed on an anti viral drug. This went on for nearly 2 years. He would feel well for a time, get ill, and repeat. He became very ill one evening and was rushed to emergency, given fluids and sent home. Later the doctor still believed infection to be the issue.
He started losing weight and was becoming very weak. Finally, in Jan 2007 my aunt took him to the family doctor and said enough is enough and demanded further diagnosis. An ultrasound was conducted and there were multiple spots located on the liver. A biopsy was conducted and they determined that had multiple carcinoid tumors in the liver, with no identifiable primary source (possibly the gall bladder?).
I was serving in Afghanistan at the time and was not told about the diagnosis until I returned home for leave in May 2008. I went to visit him and he seemed ok, a little thin and tired but he looked generally pretty good.
After a referral to cancer specialists, it was decided to try Theraspheres treatment and he was reassured that due to the slow progress of carcinoid and the possible results of the treatment he would live for some time still and possibly beat the cancer all together.
His first treatment was done in September 2008 and it took a lot out of him. Appetite even worse, no muscle tone and had to use a walker. There appeared to be no real followup. A CT scan was done in November and there was minimal improvement, however, no one bothered to inform us pf that until he was brought in with fluid build up in his abdomen 3 days ago. He is having trouble breathing and his mind seems to be slipping. All of this with very little followup and no apparent concern for his overall wellbeing.
As it stands, he will be brought to the specialists on the 6th of January to determine if there is any point in continuing with intervention.
This is a man who even a year ago was chopping wood and looking very young for a 76 year old (even with the early cancer).
It saddens me because there appeared to be a total disconnect for a long time related to the diagnoses. As a a man typical of his generation he had total faith in the system and it wasn't until my aunt got involved that anything was done.
The entire family is meeting next week to most likely say goodbye to this wonderful man and it doesn't seem right. We have no desire to fight but we certainly have questions and frustration. In Canada we have a generally good medical system but we are at the mercy of doctor shortages and budgetary issues. There is very little recourse when one wants answers or another opinion.
I just wanted to share this with you and ask if you can let us know what to expect and see if there is something more we can do to at least make him comfortable. We are grateful that at least the Therasphere treatment was available but it just seemed to happen far too late.
It is painful to see someone go through this, although he is pretty upbeat and making the best of it. In time I am sure we can reflect on the good times.
Thanks again. You all seem like such compassionate people and it would be nice to hear your thoughts.
All the best to you in 2009 |
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