Search options (Page 1 of 3)

I am SO excited for you Tiffany!!  I'm really glad they've expanded the criteria so that more people have a chance of beating this disease.  BTW, whatever happened to the option of a living donor transplant?
                                    Dianne

I watched this movie with great interest, as we just went through the process with my husband.  I can tell you that if it were available in PA (we moved from Columbia last October), he would have chosen to end his life earlier than it did naturally.  Liver failure is a tough process, but I will say, that in the last stage (last week or so), pain control was not an issue.  It was the encephalopathy that was most disturbing.  I really hope that he was as oblivious to what was happening to him as he seemed to be.
The sweet lady in the movie that had liver cancer chose to end her life at about the point that Chris was about 6 weeks before his death.  She seemed to be very short of breath, probably due to the ascites.  She should have had a drain so that she could have been more comfortable.  Chris had one for about 2.5 months and it made a world of difference.  Anyway, although his last 6 weeks were pretty hard, I can't say I'm sorry to have had him here for that time.  Taking care of him was very rewarding to me although heartbreaking at the same time.
Having said all that, I hope that the option is available to me when my time approaches.  I would find it very comforting to know I had some control over my life.

Pam,
I'm so happy that things are going well for Lauren. The only thing I can think of besides the things you're already doing for the fluid retention is limit salt intake and perhaps the doctor has another diuretic he could prescribe if Lasix not doing the trick?  Fluid retention is a common problem after major surgery. Hope it improves soon, I know it's very uncomfortable for her.
        Dianne

Thanks so much to all of you for your responses and your condolences. I really appreciate you and this website. It's been such a comfort over this past year to have a support group that knows what you're going through. It's been difficult to say the least, but I know that this is part of life and hard as it is, we all have to go through it at one time or another.
I am having one strange response I didn't anticipate, survivor guilt.  I keep wondering why him and not me?  A question with no answer and I usually don't waste my time with things like that, but it's really causing me some pain. I know it has a lot to do with the fact that I am now living his dream. He always wanted to return to this area to be with his family and retire here, fish, plant a big garden, orchard, etc. and he never got the chance. I know I'll get past this cause there's really no other choice, but I was wondering if anyone else has experienced this?

Orly,
I'm so sorry you are having such a hard time with your family at a time you need them most.  I thought European countries had systems in place that prevented families from being saddled with huge medical bills unlike here in the US.  Is it possible they're not being honest about this? I'd look into that. Anyway, hope you get some peace soon, maybe another grief support group that suits your schedule better?  Glad you're getting support here in the meantime, but I believe that as much as you may not want to, it's important to get out among other people especially those who can relate to your sorrow. God bless.
                     Dianne

Darla,
Congratulations on your fantastic news!  As far as disability goes, apply for it online on the Social Security website.  You'll get approved and pretty quickly too. The payments start 6 months after diagnosis.  Not sure if you actually had to stop working at that point or not.  Also, how about LTD at work?  That too starts at 6 months.  God bless you and may He guide Dr. Kato's hands to heal you.
                            Dianne

Pam,
That's such fantastic news!  You guys are going to have so much fun planning the wedding. Will we see you guys on Say Yes to the Dress?!  Congratulations! Such a happy event to look forward to.
                    Dianne

What a great early Christmas present for your family! I'm very happy for you. Hopefully 2013 will bring the perfect combo of chemo and it will be on the shrinkage course to oblivion. Congratulations!
                                          Dianne

Thanks Ashley.  I think we will start cutting back on the Reglan and see what happens.  Maybe too many drugs in the mix, they will interact with each other and not usually in a good way.
                         Dianne

Thanks for your responses.  I think we're getting a bit of a handle on it.  The oncologist told him to increase dose of Zofran.  He had a dose of Oxali/5FU this week and ironically, he's vomiting less than usual. Could be those IV anti-emetics they give prior to chemo.  I figure it must be the disease that's causing it.  It sure is a bad actor

Thanks so much for your replies.  Moving has been very good for us. Has done wonders for his attitude. I don't know about pursuing any surgical option. Neither of us is very sold on that. Maybe if the next scan shows big improvement it might make us rethink it.  Will have to see what UPMC oncologist has to say on Friday.
               Dianne