Hi Sara, I'm so sorry to hear about your Dad and the devastating news you've just received. I know words are just not enough to ease your pain. I hope your Dad's treatment team come up with something to help him through this terrible time. If someone doesn't come up with something, then you need to contact his family doctor to provide some help for him. I know there  are nutricious drinks that you can buy, i.e. Ensure, being one of them, but your local drug store may be able to suggest something that will give him some nutrician as well as ease to digest. You don't say if you have other family members around to help out, or if you have someone there to support you through this. Take whatever help you can get for him and yourself. Come on to the forum and vent, cry, or do whatever you need to do to offload. There's usually someone on here to answer your post.

Sending you hugs.

Lorraine 

Lorraine thank you for replying. He's tried shakes from the doctor he can't drink them without pain for hours. I'm absolutely devastated, my dad has so much to live for, he's only 55. I have got family who are there. Life is awful I can't imagine what my dads thinking right now. I can't stop crying it just hits me every so often that my dad is dying. It's as if I'm still hoping for a miracle cure. I honestly don't know how we're going to deal with this, I hated seeing my dad the way he was without knowing it was inoperable now I don't know what to say to him. I don't know how anyone gets through this. Sorry for ramble it's just so hard. Thanks again for replying, Sarah xx 

Hi Sarah. How are things with your Dad ? I have been thinking about you and your family.

My brave Mum passed away just over a week ago. I still can't get used to saying that. I think I am having trouble accepting it.

Let me know how you are and I am here if you want to talk. Jo x

Hey Jo, so sorry to hear about your mam... At least she's not longer in pain. I'm watching my dad suffer time and time again and it's the worst thing to see. He's vomiting and getting quite a lot of pain now. He's in and out of hospital all the time. It's absolutely heartbreaking to see him so Ill. Thank you for your support and the same applies to you... If you ever want to talk. Sarah xx

Yes Sarah, Watching the suffering is horrendous. Mum was vomiting all the time and the pain, its something no one should have to deal with. I really feel for you. I take comfort in knowing my Mum is free from suffering, even though I miss her so much. My main concern now is my Dad, he is a shell. I can see how despairing he is and I am so worried for him. I know there is no short cut through grief but I can't stand to see him so empty. Its like a part of him has died too. I do hope your Dad's suffering is not prolonged Sarah. So sorry for you all. Jo x 

Hi Sarah,

I'm sorry to hear about what you and your family have been going through following your dad's diagnosis. I lost my own father to stomach cancer this time last year at 59 years old. The whole thing was very sudden, completely unexpected and beyond heartbreaking. I know you haven't posted for a while so whatever the circumstances now I hope your dad is in less pain than he was.

What I wanted to let you know is something practical that I've vey recently come to learn about my own circumstances. It may or may not be useful information, but having read your posts a little while ago I though it would be remiss of me not to let you know...

It turns out stomach cancer runs in my family (my dad's mother died of the same thing at an even younger age). Very recently, as the dust has started to settle, I started thinking about that genetic link and what, if anything, I might be able to do to reduce the chances of my getting stomach cancer at some stage. I've improved my diet and a few other things that are pretty common knowledge as far as these things go - so I won't bore you with that.

The one thing I learned that is less common knowledge is the potential link (there is research supporting a link, but I'm no researcher, doctor or expert myself) between stomach and stomach related cancers and the H-Pylori bacteria. When I first read about H-Pylori it meant nothing to me, but I looked it up and it became more interesting given the circumstances.

I'm not going to explain much here as I'm sure you'll look into this yourself if you see this and are interested, but basically since reading about this bacteria, I have been tested by my GP and found positive for it. I am just about to start a short course of antibiotics that will eradicate the bacteria completely.

Now, I can't stress enough that I have no idea what level of difference that this may make to my health in the long run but it's a decision I made based on my own circumstances, stuff I read supporting this link, and the advice of my GP. The H-Pylori bacteria isn't hugely uncommon, but in some people it can (apparently) contribute (along with many other factors I'm sure) to the onset of stomach and stomach related cancers.

Anyway I thought I should pass this on. I hope it isn't the wrong forum, or in any way insensitive.

All the best to you and your family

Kieran

Thanks Jane, that is interesting and helpful - thank you for posting. The more people are aware of this kind of research the better!