Hi, My mother is 72 and has been battling pancreatic (maybe) biliary (maybe) but certainly liver cancer since the spring of 2010. Her CA19 has dropped from in the 3000's to under 200 with chemo (gemsar & now oxciliplatin sp?). She has lost most of her muscle mass, but can still get around on her own inside her home and out with family. Her ascitis (fluid in the abdomen) is substantial. She is drained approx every 4 days of 5 liters of fluid each time. None of these things are really painful to her, however, she is so uncomfortable due to constipation and hemmoroids that she has little desire to move around. Steroid treatments have reduced the swelling some, but there is little indication that anything is really working for her. Is this part of the progression of the disease? Has anyone been through this phase of the disease and have some insight? Does anyone have any ideas besides sitz baths, hydrocortazone, water and fiber? We keep trying to push her to keep moving, but I'm not sure if that is what's best for her or not. We (her children) believe that by pushing her to get up and go we are going to help her to ultimately feel better; but she feels best laying down. Sometimes I believe that if laying down is her only relief, is it being cruel to keep her up and moving if there will be no real advantage...I know in my head that activity is healthier than inactivity, but is that ultimately true in her case? Any insight would be greatly appreciated.
progression of abdominal cancer
Posted by helpontheway
Hi, My mother is 72 and has been battling pancreatic (maybe) biliary (maybe) but certainly liver cancer since the spring of 2010. Her CA19 has dropped from in the 3000's to under 200 with chemo (gemsar & now oxciliplatin sp?). She has lost most of her muscle mass, but can still get around on her own inside her home and out with family. Her ascitis (fluid in the abdomen) is substantial. She is drained approx every 4 days of 5 liters of fluid each time. None of these things are really painful to her, however, she is so uncomfortable due to constipation and hemmoroids that she has little desire to move around. Steroid treatments have reduced the swelling some, but there is little indication that anything is really working for her. Is this part of the progression of the disease? Has anyone been through this phase of the disease and have some insight? Does anyone have any ideas besides sitz baths, hydrocortazone, water and fiber? We keep trying to push her to keep moving, but I'm not sure if that is what's best for her or not. We (her children) believe that by pushing her to get up and go we are going to help her to ultimately feel better; but she feels best laying down. Sometimes I believe that if laying down is her only relief, is it being cruel to keep her up and moving if there will be no real advantage...I know in my head that activity is healthier than inactivity, but is that ultimately true in her case? Any insight would be greatly appreciated.