Tumors found and belly is swollen! Doctor says nothing to do til chemo

If he is able to, get a second opinion. It could be the first oncologist is correct. But it is also true that a second opinion may suggest something else.

Hi... Thank you so much for responding... Unfortunately, he apparently is not interested in getting a 2nd opinion... Has an appt today at 1p... I was able to reach someone at the Cancer Society last night - greatly appreciate this! As i recall, he shared that if the swelling is actually in his tissues, a drainage procedure would not work... Praying that today, my friend will receive relief from the swelling and begin a course of treatment that will save his life...
Thank you again for writing...
dara
okla city

First, I wish his treatment is proper and is effective.

It's difficult to give advice given the lack of details like the following:
a) How did they discover the tumors - surgery or scans or ?
b) How do they know the tumors are malignant - biopsy or blood test or ?
c) Specific locations of the tumors.
d) The type of cancer.

Not trying to put you on defense - some cancers are best treated with chemo first, others surgery first.

I think at this time with the information you have, you should trust the medical providers and the patient. OKC should have some very good doctors. But it's wise to discuss and get details with the patient - it gets confusing - so much information so quickly that it helps to have a trusted companion along.

Another thing that is helpful for those who are undergoing chemo is to help with transportation and just doing daily things. Chemo can be quite debilitating and is often done outpatient.

I wish the best for you both.

I wish you both the very, very best.
Maggie
London

Thank you Maggie and RJ? for responding...

Stacy has 2 tumors in his liver and an obstruction in the colon - that is what his partner, Nancy shared today... These were found by a scan and also a biopsy as i understand...

Again, i am stunned and angry!? that nothing will be done about the swelling in his belly/abdominal area... Chemo is scheduled to begin March 7 - why not tomorrow?! Nancy also said that the prognosis is 'terminal'... 5% chance... How could this arise in 2 weeks?! How is he supposed to eat and drink from now on owing to the swelling? Just don't understand...

Feel deeply shocked and dismayed by what appears to me to be a lack of timely and adequate care that Stacy is receiving...

Thank you for your care and input... Will do my best to be there for Stacy and Nancy in the coming weeks...

dara
wed eve

I wish I had helpful words. I caution you that anything I can say is purely speculative.

It is possible that the liver cancer could have been there for a long time and was discovered only when checking out the colon obstruction. No idea if that's the case, but stuff like that happens a lot. BTW - the biopsy would be able to tell the oncologist what type of cancer and how quickly it grows.

In my case I had three years of colon issues with diagnoses such as diverticulitis, colitis and irritable bowel syndrome - had a change of clinics/doctors after getting nowhere - my colon cancer was discovered by a routine Cologuard test followed by a colonoscopy. Worse, I had asked for a colonoscopy a year into that 3 yr ordeal and it was rejected! By that time it grew to Stage 3C requiring removing the entire colon and 108 surrounding lymph nodes with the surgery followed by chemo.

I can't guess about the wait to start chemo - that's something Stacy would have to ask about.

That said, it's OK to question/get angry about what happened. Keep in mind that with HIPAA regulations, Stacy would have to explicitly give permission to share his medical information with you. In the absence of that, your information is limited to what Stacy tells you.

Regardless, it's much more important to focus on what's ahead.

I wish I had better words of encouragement.

I will be praying for you all and watching this discussion.

Hi RJ,

Thank you again for what you have shared... Nancy is trying to find a place where chemo can be started sooner and she has shared that an earlier appt has been found 🙂

Stacy drank heavily for many years and enjoyed red meat of all kinds... The doctor has advised him to eat protein! Asked Nancy if he specified what kind of protein, apparently he did not specify... Hope that Stacy realizes he will be better served to stop red meat consumption - my opinion for sure...

Blessings to you for all that you have endured and hope that you are healthy now!

Life... the lessons we have to learn and trials we have to endure...

Do you know of the work of Louise Hay? She contracted cancer many years ago and was able to clear it... Her most well known book, You Can Heal Your Life, has a section at the end with many pages of diseases and her suggestions of the accompanying thought and emotional patterns... They have resonated with virtually everyone i know who has looked at them...

Thank you to everyone who has offered 'hugs' to Stacy and Nancy! Please keep them in your prayers...

In gratitude,
dara
okla city

Thank you Dara for your blessings and the recommendation.

I have heard of Louise, but I've not read her books. I'll check my church's library and public library for a copy.

Thanks!

When I was diagnosed (via colonoscopy) I had a partially obstructing stricture. I had surgery first because of the stricture. I developed an obstruction while on chemotherapy. It required surgery again. They can put him on TPN (IV nutrition) so that he stays hydrated and nourished. Throughout my 7 month battle, I was almost always on a nothing by mouth diet (I couldn’t even have ice chips) because they needed my bowel to heal
I was very tiny but they kept my weight up by giving me 3,000 calories per day. I even did this at home once I was released.
Stay positive and keep asking questions

I would not think that Chemo will have any effect on the liver tumors in the short term.
And chemo will certainly not clear a bowel colon obstruction in this lifetime.
Having said that, the swollen belly thereby, remains swollen without any relief.
If I have ever heard of a case needing a 2nd opinion quickly, this is it.
Find a Colorectal and Anal surgeon to get a consultation appointment first. All attention should be given to clearing the obstruction and not what an Oncologist thinks!
Sitting around waiting for chemo to kick in is a long term process that will not keep this gentleman alive.
Colon obstruction relief NOW !
PAUL