My dad has just been diagnosed with liver cancer. His tumour is 13cm and we have just been told there is nothing they can do for him other than offer palliative chemotherapy. They have also advised that he needs to consider if he wants to take the chemotherapy as this will make him feel worse. He is in hospital at the moment but due to be discharged this week. I am worried how we will cope with his condition at home as everything seems so uncertain. They are reluctant to tell us how long he has left and as a consequence I feel that every day is his last.
Hi Lisa, I am sorry to read about your dad’s diagnosis. Has dad had chance to speak to a specialist or Macmillan nurse, as they will be able to offer him information about his condition and his options. We are also aware that Cancer Research UK have nurses on their helpline on 0808 800 4040, if you wish to discuss medical issues.
It is important to discuss dads needs and for information on managing when dad comes home you may want to read the information [here](file:///L:/Marie%20Curie%20Support%20Line%20Info/Community%20Forum/Approved%20and%20Waiting%20to%20be%20posted/My%20dad%20has%20just%20been%20diagnosed%20with%20liver%20cancer.%20His%20tumour%20is%2013cm%20and%20we%20have%20just%20been%20told%20there%20is%20nothing%20they%20can%20do%20for%20him%20other%20than%20offer%20palliative%20chemotherapy.%20They%20have%20also%20advised%20that%20he%20needs%20to%20consider%20if%20he%20wants%20to%20take%20the%20chemotherapy%20as%20this%20will%20make%20him%20feel%20worse.%20He%20is%20in%20hospital%20at%20the%20moment%20but%20due%20to%20be%20discharged%20this%20week.%20I%20am%20worried%20how%20we%20will%20cope%20with%20his%20condition%20at%20home%20as%20everything%20seems%20so%20uncertain.%20They%20are%20reluctant%20to%20tell%20us%20how%20long%20he%20has%20left%20and%20as%20a%20consequence%20I%20feel%20that%20every%20day%20is%20his%20last.). We also have information about Palliative Care here. If you would like to discuss this with us in more detail please contact our free Support Line on 0800 090 2309.
Best Wishes
Brigette
Marie Curie Support Line
Thank you for your reply. We have been to see an oncologist today and unfortunately he is too unwell for chemotherapy. Where that leaves us now is anyone’s guess. I so wanted to ask the ‘how long’ question but he was with me and I thought if he wanted to know he would have asked himself. I suspect that it isn’t long as his tumour is very aggressive and growing rapidly. I am heartbroken and feel so let down by the Trust who are seeing him. Delays of 7 weeks to report his CT may have potentially cost him his future
Hi Lisa,
I am sorry to hear how quickly things have progressed for your dad. We all cope differently, some people to choose not to know “how long” whereas for others it really does help to know time-frames in order to plan ahead and prepare for difficult conversations.
If you feel you would like some feedback and guidance from the Trust where dad was diagnosed, you are able to discuss any concerns with the relevant Trust Patient and Liaison Service. You can do a local search for England Trust’s here https://www.nhs.uk/Service-Search/Patient-advice-and-liaison-services-(PALS)/LocationSearch/363 other areas of the UK have alternative search engines too.
If you would like to discuss this with us in more detail or you just need a listening ear you can contact our free Support Line on 0800 090 2309.
Best Wishes
Claire
Marie Curie Support Line
Hi Lisa we’ve just been told my dads terminal with liver cancer I’m finding it very hard at the moment dads tumour was 14cm few months ago so aggressive we haven’t been given any support and feeling very emotional it’s a very hard time for you and your family I’m guessing like it is for us I’m running scared if I’m honest x Emma x
Hi Emma So sorry about your dad. Does he have a Macmillan nurse? My dad is having good days and bad days it’s hard finding a happy medium with his meds’ one day fine the next he is very nauseous. It’s such an awful time and if I can support you in any way I will xx
Hi Lisa no we haven’t been given anything he’s not on meds he’s been offered treatment where they go in through the groin and blast the tumour with chemo to cut the blood supply off they said it could give him an extra 3 months. But it comes with high risks Dad wants to try so have to support him so now we r waiting for an app could take a month ! They chose not to do a biopsy a year ago said there was no need then decided to do one and here we are x Thanku for replying it’s just nice to know someone is out there xxx
Hi is that SIRT treatment ? Hope it goes well for him. Unfortunately they couldn’t give that to my dad and he is too weak for chemo. I’m furious really because the trust delayed reporting his CT scan by 7 weeks. If they had done it on time he was much fitter and may have been able to have treatment. I have complained but to be honest I think they will just say it wouldn’t have made a difference. I would get in touch with MacMillan they have been great with the family xxx
Hi Lisa not sure the name of it . Understand your frustration we’ve had to ring ever day for a month for his biopsy to b done then another month for results it’s precious time wasted and there our dads we want them forever that’s the trouble . I’m so sorry your dad couldn’t have that treatment you just want to give them ever possible chance x Thinking of u and your family x I’ve had a better day today but who knows what I’ll b like tomorrow hope your days been ok sending love and hugs your way Emma xxx