Hello all,
Glad to have found something to look up previous conversations and to join new ones.
My dad was diagnosed on 6/15/2020 with stage 4 rectal adenocarcinoma with innumerable metastases to the liver. The entire right lobe of the liver is covered, and the medial segment of his left lobe also has lesions. The primary mass is just above the anus and has caused what is estimated to be a 90% obstruction or the colon. He also developed ascites which I am assuming is coming from the liver. There is no peritoneal invasion or spread to lungs, bones, or brain.
As of Tuesday he has started his chemotherapy regimen, which is FOLFOX for 6 months every 2 weeks. Then the plan is radiation and hopefully surgery. The worst part of all this is, he has no insurance currently. My dad has always been financially unwise and could not afford to have ACA health insurance. I am trying to get him on Medicaid, but with his unemployment benefits (from the pandemic) he is making $962/week before taxes are taken out, so he may not qualify.
The rest of his remaining family is too old or too lazy to help out. I live 4 hours from him and am trying to juggle my work, my live-in relationship, and his treatment. I feel extremely overwhelmed as I am taking care of every aspect of his life for right now.
I'm extremely hopeful that the chemo shrinks his tumors down to where it is operable, but my energy keeps going into the negative. He may have to have ascites drained before he is released from the hospital tomorrow. They drained 2.25L from him after he was admitted last Monday. He is very tired. I am scared and I think he is too, although he remains positive in his demeanor.
Thanks for listening.
Brandon