I am sorry to hear of your Dad's situation.  

I lost my partner aged 69 years in June 2019 to cancer (unknown primary) which had metastasized to his liver and spleen. He was only diagnosed with cancer 2 1/2 weeks before he died, and elected not to have any active treatment. He passed away 4 weeks to the day after suddenly beginning to sleep most of the day (similar to the sudden change you saw in your Dad); 3 weeks and 2 days after developing jaundice, and about 3 days from becoming confused much of the time.

As a rule of thumb my understanding is that if you are noticing significant deterioration from day to day, then there are probably only days of life left (whereas if the changes are more week on week, then there could be weeks left).

I found my partner's very rapid deterioration due to liver failure shocking to witness, but he passed away with no significant pain, and I feel that if he had survived longer then he would have been likely to experience cancer pain.

I don't think you are looking at very long, but send you my warmest wishes at this awful time.

Hi all. Just a note to say that my dad passed away 6 days after this post.

He declined as expected in hospital, sleeping more, becoming more disorientated, and eventually he stopped eating/drinking. He died peacefully two days after that point. It wasn't messy nor painful, he just fell asleep and didn't wake up.

I'll keep this post up as a reference for anyone else who might find themselves in the same situation as me. It was hard for us to have things happen so quickly and unexpectedly, but we're glad that he's now at peace and didn't suffer.

Hi nextmonkhood, 

I hope you don't mind me stopping by but I just saw your post and wanted to offer you my sincerest condolences for your loss.

We're here for you if you need us nextmonkhood.

Best wishes to you and your family at this difficult time, 

Steph, Cancer Chat Moderator

Thank you for your update, and please accept my sincere condolences.  I had wondered how things were going.  It sounds as if you you feel very much like I did with my partner, ie however hard it is to have a loved one deteriorate and pass away so quickly, what matters more is that their suffering was minimal, and that becomes a great comfort during grief.

I send you my very best wishes.

I sadly lost my darling husband to Liver Cancer on 11/10/2016 at the age of 56. From them telling us he had 3 months max to live he got just over 4 weeks. He had a Plurex Drain fitted in his abdomen to drain off his Ascities and was doing well until 8 days later when he started to vomit and shake. He was rushed by blue light to A & E and was immediately put on an IV of Antibiotics and Salin to rehydrate him. They told us 2 days later that he was suffering from Sepsis and needed to stay in hospital for the next four days to get all the high dose antibiotics into in blood stream. He came out of Hospital after having these drugs and that was a Thursday he sadly never lost the nauseating and his wish was to die at home...so with the help of our local EOL District Nurses, Doctors, McMillan & Marie Curie Nurses we nursed him at home from the Friday to the Tuesday evening when he passed away peacefully in my arm. In was peaceful in no pain and comfortable and that's all I asked and it was done superbly without any fuss or drama. So sadly I don't think you poor dad will be around for much longer. I take the comfort from losing my darling knowing he couldn't go on just for me...his suffering was over and he was free from pain. Thinking about you during your very difficult time xx PS see this was a year ago and you sadly lost your dad 6 days later...my thoughts are with you almost a year on xx

My condolences to you and your family

i would like to thank for leaving this post up. Nearly 2 years on and I am going through something similar with my mom. You post has been helpful.

watching a loved one slowly fading away is one of the most difficult experiences anyone can ever go through but I know I am not alone in this.

Having searched for information on this situation I found your story and the replies to have been invaluable. I think my ex is at the tipping point you described and your insight will help me in the coming days and weeks. Thankyou and my sympathy for your loss. 

Thank you for sharing and I am sorry to hear of your loss.

I found this to be the only useful resource so now I have a bit more info I though I would share it in the hope it helps others.

 I am 18 months since my incurable colo-rectal cancer diagnosis which had metastasised to my liver. I'm 46.

a couple of weeks ago I started to suffer symptoms of Liver Failure, brown urine, swollen feet and lower legs and acities. I had this drained 4 days ago.

. I saw my consultant today who was able to confirm liver failure through blood results. She told me I had limited time now, I asked if it was likely to see my sons 15th birthday in 8 days time, she told me it was possible, but when pushed would no go as far as probable. It seems in the next days or weeks I am likely to deteriorate over a few days which is a blessing anyway. I'll try and let you know how I get on.

I've left email notifications on on this post over the years and I couldn't let your comment pass without replying.

[@BenCarrots]‍, I can't imagine what you're going though - well, I can, but only from a lucky outsider's point of view. What a young age for something so cruel to happen, you poor sod. I hope that you're able to find some peace over the coming days/weeks/however-long - don't worry about strength, that's what other people are for.

I hope that you're able to celebrate with your son, and that he can be with you regardless. I hope that you can take things moment by moment, that you're able to feel safe and loved, and that there's still a few moments of lightness and joy. I don't know you, but we're all part of the same thing in the end, and rest assured that the whole world is with you, in spirit. You'll be in my thoughts <3

Quick update, I am still here, my blood results show my liver function is poor but stable, my feet have swollen to a ridiculous size and I am having a longer term abdominal drain fitted on Friday and most importantly Happy Birthday William. 
I seem to have plateaued and whilst a deterioration into more severe liver failure in the future is inevitable I am living each day as it comes. I hope my experience gives others facing a similar situation some insight.