Postby Mali » Wed Apr 26, 2006 1:07 pm
It's the evening now. (I'm off to Weight Watchers in 5 so I have to make it quick, as ever.)
Have been dipping in and out of colon club all day. Mum has more information but i'm not sure she has it right and Dad seems none the wiser. She has been told that an ultrasound and x-rays show a marked increase in swelling in her abdomen is down to liquid build up within the liver mets. I don't get it.
Dad is going to Italy on Friday and Mum is going to the hospice for 2 weeks respite. I'm going to make an apointment to see the oncologist and put all the research to him that I have come across at this most precious club.
Don't get the liquid inside the tumour thing. Does anyone understand or is my Mum just not relaying or perhaps not understanding the information she is being given due to her weakness. Can you get a build up of liquid inside the mets? (They've also told her there is nothing further they can do for the build up of liquid apart from maybe suction some off, and it'll only come back again.) I imagined you can get a general build up of liquid inside the organ itself, but actually inside the liver mets? When I see the oncologist I will ask exactly what the situation is. Tomorrow I shall call and make an appointment. If he is not available I will even pay privately to see him at the earliest point next week, if they will let me.
They are saying that Mum can go to the hospice and that she should go back to see the oncologist a week on Monday. (We do not have all the time in the world, I can't understand all the delaying tactics.) Maybe some of it is down to Mum not even knowing herself if she wants to try chemo. She is so fearful of the side effects, but for God's sake, I feel she should at least give it a go.
Can anyone advise how long a decent try at chemo should be? Weeks? Months? Does it depend on how each indivdual tolerates the medication? (My Mum is 69, but so young of mind and heart.)
When I see the oncologist I shall throw everything at him, the Trovax trials, Radio Frequency Ablation, Cryotherapy (thanks for that Andrea.) Avastin, Xeloda and all the others.
I'm very concerned that my Mum is starting to allow the cancer to take her. I can respect anyone's decision in which way they are going to take their life, but I cannot understand the not even trying the chemo.
Any advice? Any tactical advice for approaching the oncologist. I shall see him by myself while Mum is in the hospice and Dad is in Italy.
Take care everyone.
Talk to me. I need your help, or just your communications so much.
Amalia (Mali.)