Hi, everyone. My name is Lauren, and I am new to this group. I am just seeking some support from people who may be able to relate to my feelings and/or give me some information. My mom was diagnosed with liver cancer many years ago, and she was on a transplant list through Hopkins. Unfortunately, before they could get her the transplant, the lesions spread to her portal vein and now her lung. Her doctor very recently put her on a pill that can maintain lesions/tumors, and eventually should be able to shrink them; I believe it is called Nexavar. The side effects of the medication are lethargy, weakness, chest pain, dizziness, etc. Last Sunday, she was experiencing chest pains and back pain so her doctor recommended that she go to the E.R. While we were there, she had scans and tests, and the doctor mentioned that he saw a shadow/lesion on her bone, which may have been contributing to some of the pain. It is our belief that the cancer has now spread to her bone, which I understand may mean she is in stage 4, though I am not a doctor so I don't entirely know how staging works with the local and distant organs. Anyhow, she has an appointment today around 10:15, which I am not able to attend due to my job. I am supposed to get more information from my dad after the appointment is over, but I'd like to gain as much information from as many sources as possible to maybe ease my mind. I'm feely very guilty, as I just moved out this weekend, and it is coming at a horrible time with the rapid deterioration of her health. I have a fantastic support system, just no one who can relate to taking care of someone with late-stage cancer, nor do any of my friends or my significant other understand yet what it is like to lose a parent to something so horrible (thankfully).

I look forward to your replies!

Lauren