Cancer in Oesophagus and Liver - given 3-4 months

Hi All,

My dad, who is 58, was diagnosed with cancer in his oesophagus that has spread to his liver, the tumour in his liver is about 30-40 cm big. The doctors suggest he has about 3-4 months to live. I was just wondering if anyone knows someone who has been cured from a similar cancer, or has prolonged life substantially? and if so would you be able to advice on method, anything would help! 

my dad was loosing his voice, but though a clean diet, juicing herbs and fruits, and cutting out meats, his voice has improved a lot. Although he is still loosing weight rapidy, now weighing at 51kg, and is in constant battle with diarrhea, going about 15 times a day and back pains.  

He isn't keen on chemo, as we were also advised by the doctor that patients can potentially get infections through chemo and die. As he is already quite weak, we are trying to avoid chemo.

Just wondeirng if anyone can advice, if chemo is worth going to, considering how weak my dad is at the moment? Any dietry tips that we could take to improve his immune system to fight the cancer? and any trial treatements that are available? every trail treatments that we heard of keep getting shot down by the doctors as it isn't specific to his condition!

Thanks

 

  • Have you considered Accupuncture and Chinese Herbal Medicine?

    Hope this migh  be helpful.

    Regards

    Jo

  • Hi Senth, welcome to the forum, but so sorry to hear about your Dad. It sounds like the cancer he has is quite advanced since his doctors have only given him 3 to 4 months to live. I know that most people don't want to give up hope when a loved one is so sick, but trying to give harsh treatments to your Dad at this point may not be in his best interests and keeping him comfortable may be a better option. I hope you take my response in the spirit its' being given and not feel I'm being heartless when I say this. I have lost so many loved ones to cancer and for most of them, I have been by their bedside when they died. Its' a very difficult experience to have. I, myself, have cancer that I can't be cured from and my wish is to not be put through harsh treatments that will only add to my discomfort. I'm not really terribly sick at this point, but I have been through a lot for the last almost 7 years with so many surgeries I've lost count, and so many treatments that I would rather forget. I'm at the point where they've stopped trying to cure me, but hopefully extend my life a little, but I've made it clear that harsh treatments are out of the question.

    Perhaps keeping your Dad as comfortable as possible at this point may be a better option for him. Have his treatment team discussed any of this with him, and if not, perhaps you can suggest they do this.

    Good luck with it and my heart goes out to you at this difficult time. Take care of yourself as you go through this experience with your Dad.

    Lorraine    

  • Hi,

    I'm the same age as your Dad and also have Stage 4 Oesophageal cancer. Chemo is about the only option I know of, apart from surgery. A friend of mine has had cyber knife treatment to remove secondaries from her liver, but she had to go private to have it.

    Unfortunately, Chemo can cause issues with the immune system, but the white blood count levels are closely monitored and the treatment can be stopped if they fall dangerously low. 

    Sorry I can't offer more help.

    Good luck

    Dave