Confused about what time we have left

Hi all, my uncle has just been diagnosed last week with terminal stomach cancer which has spread to the oesophagus . He has decided he does not want to know what time he has left. There is just myself and my sister to take care of my uncle and we like to know what we are facing. His has lost his appetite now. Would anyone know how long he may have had this cancer?  It's such a shock to see how weak he is. It is heartbreaking and we just want to do what's best. 

  • Hi and welcome, I'm sorry to read about your uncle. I'm not sure anyone will be able to tell you how long however you can google to find the statistics which should be taken with a pinch of salt. Maybe the doctors can prescribe some drugs to get his appetite back. Are they going to offer treatment? I know you have questions, I had so many too, how long, where and so on... I don't think any answers will help with the love and care you can offer him. Good luck and take care

  • Hi Michelle, thank you so much for your reply. He has been to see his oncologist and he didn't offer any form of treatment, my uncle asked for treatment which they eventually agreed to. We don't know how long he has left , he doesn't  want us to know a time because he doesn't want us waiting on a month or week coming. It has spread to the lymph nodes and he has spots on his kidney (don't know if they are cancerous).  He doesn't understand we want to help and look after him, he is my godfather and has been like a dad to me. We are totally devastated. It's still such a shock that he has this horrible disease. With this diagnosis do you have a rough idea of what time he has left ? I know every case is different but an ideas would be a help for us know what to expect. 

    Sorry for rambling on but I'm desperate to help.

    Ciara

  • Hi Ciara, Timespans aren't really worth knowing as (in my opinion) as day in day out they say one thing and the complete opposite happens. I sat with my dad in his first Macmillan consultation where he is diagnosed, my parents left the room and the consultant told me people with my dads condition 50% are still alive in 8 months time and that my sister from Australia should come back sooner rather than later. This was completely heartbreaking to hear this. What was even more heartbreaking was the fact he died just 72 hours later. The point I'm trying to make is, nobody knows for sure, with cancer you never know what's waiting around the corner for you and life changes in the blink of an eye. If you google it there will be statistics out there. 

    They gave my dad steroids which really boosted his appetite. Could they give your uncle something similar to help? x

  • I'm so sorry for your loss, that is totally heartbreaking. I can only imagine. It helps to talk to people who truly understand what it is like. It's hard to talk to him, he shuts himself off from us. It's so hard to watch someone you love suffer. He doesn't want pain relief, he thinks he's giving in to it by taking anything. Never been through anything so hard in my life. Can thankyou enough 

     

    Ciara

  • Agreeing with what others have said about statistics but look here:

    www.cancerresearchuk.org/.../statistics-and-outlook-for-stomach-cancer

    Now becuse it has spread it will be stage 4

    As it's spread to the oesophagus then it might be better to consider it as that

    www.cancerresearchuk.org/.../statistics-and-outlook-for-oesophageal-cancer

     

    However the fact that the oncologist didn't want to get involved in treatment plans does make it sound as if his outlook might be unfortunately much poorer than the average.

     

    Make the most of the time you have with him and do what you can to take his mind off it

     

  • Thanks so much GrahamM. I'll have a look.

    Ciara

  • Hi Ciara sop sorry to hear about your uncle it is very hard too come to terms as i have had my husband and mnay die of the disease and my self went through it and luckily came out the other side. You can't really say when the cancer started. You get cancers you don't know about that take 2 years to get to terminal stage. You get cancers that spread like wild fire it just depends. It has been said the older you are the longer it takes for cancer to spread and thats with the body becoming slower i heard from these top doctors on the news etc. If he can't eat even try and get him to drink fluids get something in him at least.-Sending hugs-Diane x

  • Hi Diane, thanks so much for your kind words. It's so hard to get your head around it. It's heartbreaking to him dissappear in front of your eyes. I feel so helpless . 

    Ciara