Hello 

Four weeks ago my dad was fine and after a brief illness (we thought he had a virus) he was admitted to hospital with an infection alongside failing liver and kidneys. They managed to get him stable and sent him home but he's been extremely tired and suffering with terrible ascites. We only just managed to get a diagnosis out of them which was shockingly delivered via a ten minute zoom call. By a doctor that had not met him no less. They essentially said he had cancer and because of his liver cirrhosis and bad kidney function he wasn't a candidate for any treatment (like transplant, chemo) and effectively washed their hands of him (seriously he's running out of medicine such as anticoagulants and nobody has prescribed more). We knew he had mild liver cirrhosis but he was getting it checked for years and years and was not progressing and he'd also given up alcohol for six years (he wasn't a big drinker anyway). 

I am just at a loss because not only has been handed the worst news possible it's frustrating the manner in which it's come about - essentially off one scan where it says he has a 'possible 1.8cm carcinoma' and bloods which are not good (but his kidney function is actually almost normal... and there are normal levels of tumor markers). From what I understand the fact the possible tumor may be getting into a blood vessel is what makes it terminal but overall the diagnosis just feels hazy. I've also read case studies of people much older than him in a similar situation who did undergo treatment- so i'm wondering why can't they try? 
 

I am in my 30s and have three siblings and my mum. We're a very close family. I can't imagine life without him and it is just so hard to see him clearly ill and scared. Yet just being confined to 'sorry we can't do anything' in such a cold unempathetic manner. 

We just feel really blindsided and of course are seeking second opinions and I am hoping for a glimmer of hope. 
 

I don't really know why I am writing aside from to write it down and I also wonder if anyone can offer any positive news about bad liver cancer diagnoses that became more hopeful.

Thank you, H