Bile duct cancer

My lovely gentle husband of 61 years has been diagnosed with primary bile duct cancer and secondary in his liver. He started to have abnormal blood tests in July no symptoms, in October he went to a and e with abdominal pain. His bilirubin was off the chart and they didn't seem to understand why he wasn't in more pain. They sent him home and the pain eased, 2 days later his skin and eyes were yellow but that cleared up and he was fine for 4 weeks. He since has had a constant a he in his side and stopped eating dairy as this causedire discomfort. He had mrcp scan in November and then end of November mri scan with dye.mud December specialist said he had 3 shadows on his liver that could be cancer or abscesses he would need a biopsy, but because the Christmas period was coming up it would be January. He had his biopsy in January. After we chased up the appointment he saw specialist on Monday this week, when we went in, he said "how much do you know". We said nothing. He said the tests were positive for cancer in section 6 and 7 of his Liver and an oncology department would be in touch. I don't need to tell anyone how we felt, you have all been there. On Tuesday a nurse rang us to say we see oncologist next Tuesday and that the liver cancer was secondary as the primary is in the bile duct. I swing from crying to hope to anger and can't help thinking if they had tried harder in July when his gamma serum levels on his blood tests were in the thousands instead of below 50 that he would be in this much danger. I sm positive with him about any treatment they offer next week but I know from researching that there isn't much hope. My heart is absolutely broken and I don't want to live without him. 

  • Hello Thebearssweetie, 

    I am so sorry to hear about your husband's diagnosis of bile duct cancer . It is normal to be feeling overwhelmed at the moment with all these different emotions to be feeling angry one moment and tearful the next. You are right to be positive with him I am sure he appreciates your support and your being there by his side. I hope that you find out more next week about his treatment and that it will be beneficial to him. It must be so hard for you at the moment but I just wanted you to know we are all here for you and hopefully you will hear from others on the forum who have looked after a loved one with cancer or been affected in a similar way by bile duct cancer. 

    If you have any questions for example after you see the specialist, you are welcome to ring our nurses on this free number 0808 800 4040 - their line is open Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm.

    Keep us updated if you can on how the appointment with the oncologist goes on Tuesday. Sending you some positive vibes. I hope it all goes well. 

    Best wishes, 

    Lucie, Cancer Chat Moderator