Postby Bev G » Tue Sep 29, 2015 3:47 pm
Hi Katy,
I'm so sorry you and your DD and the rest of your family is going through this. It sounds just awful, and I know it is very scary. Of course no one, including the docs, can tell you exactly what is going to happen, butt I can tell you what typically seems to happen after being on this board for many, many years. The biggest part of me sort of wants to put on a Pollyanna hat and tell you things will be OK (and maybe they will) butt it seems usually that once this level of ascites occurs there is not a lot to do, unless someone thought they could get all the peritoneal mets removed. Your dad does not sound like he is in a condition to attempt that. Peritoneal mets cause ascites because they leak a lot of fluid into the abdominal cavity. I know you already know this since your dad had 3 liters removed last week. The ascites is produced very dynamically, and he could likely have 3 or more liters removed next week. Unfortunately the fluid just keep coming back. A big excess can push really hard on the diaphragm, making it feel like one can't breathe well. Sometimes it can interfere with breathing. I don't know all the data about Stigarva, butt I do know I've had a number of friends on the board who wound up with completely compromised livers while on the drug (liver failure can also cause ascites, butt it sounds like your dad's labs are pretty good). Stigarva might be very tough on him. Perhaps it's coming to the time where the most that can be done is to provide for his comfort. I'm sorry I don't have any real positive thoughts, and again, am so sorry what you are all going through. ((((Katy)))
Godspeed,
Bev
58 yo Type1 DM 48 years
12/09 Stage IV 2/22 nodes + liver met, colon resec
3 tx FOLFIRI, liver resec 4/10
9/10 6 mos off chemo, Neg PET&CTC CEA nl
2/11 finished total 10 rounds chemo
9/13 ^17th clean PET/CT NED for now