Liver Cancer Jaundice

Hi I'm new to the group and just looking for advice. My grandad was given 6 months at the end of October. He was very vague with diagnosis but said Stage 4 Liver Cancer. He has refused any of us to seek help and refused palliative care all along. He has lost so much weight that his wedding ring has fell off and is in constant pain but hiding it well. The past week his skin has gone a mustard yellow. He is still refusing any medical care and will not give us permission to speak to Drs on his behalf. We have all came to terms with this as his wife is unwell with dementia and he is fighting to look after her as long as he can. My question is does anyone have any idea on whether he is now in the final stage? I've researched a lot but without any medical professional to speak to this has been very hard for us to process. Any help would be much appreciated.

  • Hello.  I am very sorry to hear of the situation you have described with your grandad.  I can only draw from my personal experience of losing my partner to cancer of unknown primary which had spread to his liver, but I think it is very likely your grandad is now in the final stage of his illness  My partner (who was also very resistant to medical intervention) survived just 3 weeks from becoming jaundiced. My view is that medical/nursing  help must now be sought either with or without your grandad,s permission.  He is most likely to become very confused as his jaundice affects his brain, and there is the welfare of his wife to consider also.  He will become very weak and will need to spend progressively more time in bed as his body starts to shut down.  He may be able to stay at home if that is his wish, but he will need to be nursed.  The issue will have to be forced by either contacting his GP or ringing 111.  Your Grandad has done extraordinarily well to carry on thus far and although it doesn't feel like it now is likely to feel relieved when help has been obtained.  Sennding you my very best wishes.

  • Hi thank you for your reply. We are always there there is always a family member at the house and social workers are involved for the care of our nan at the moment as this is a concern for us. We have tried to get the treatment but while he says no they will not intervene we have tried to force it and the Drs will not even send anyone around while he refuses the care. Hopefully he will seek the help and we will keep pushing. Thanks for letting me know your experience it was very helpful.

  • Goodness, that all sounds very difficult.  What helped to get my partner to accept help was saying

    "look we respect the fact that you don't want to go into hospital; we can get a TEP (Treatment Escalation Plan) otherwise known as a Living Will completed, so that you can stay in your home and only have care to minimise pain and increase your comfort."  He calmed down when he felt more in control and was able to express his preferences.  To enable your grandad to die at home, some plans will need to be made and some aids will need to be ordered eg pressure relieving mattress, maybe a hospital bed, commode/ zimmer frame, etc. Have you thought of contacting Macmillan?  They are usually very helpful eg they can explain the TEP.  Say to your grandad that you don't want him to experience unnecessary pain simply because he wants to remain at home.  My partner was very resistant/in denial but then suddenly felt so weak that he realised common sense needed to prevail and plans made to avoid him having to end his days in hospital.   Sorry if you've already thought of all this, but I hate to think of events overtaking you and your grandad's needs have to be anticipated.