Hello

My father was diagnosed with cancer of the gullet a couple of weeks ago, further test reveal today it has spread to his liver.

There could have been plans to operate however due to the secondary diagnosis this will not now happen and he will start Chemo ASAP.  Fingers crossed he is up to it.

I've found ivillage support a wonderful thing in the past unfortunately looks like i need some again.  My head is all over the place at the minute, my dad is very independent and does not like 'fuss' and certainly does not want us all in floods of tears whenever we see him, so just need a place where people understand where I can vent scream and cry.

Thanks fo reading

M

Hi M what a shocker for you all. My late H was diagnosed with colon cancer and within 24 hours it was discovered his had spread to the liver too. He had chemo and was one of those who didn't want any fuss made  - typical male. I suggest you follow your dad's lead in the way you all cope. If you need to offload then this board is a brilliant place to do so.

Depending on the extent and number of tumours in the liver, the good news is that chemo can be very successful. The intention will be to get all tumours to shrink sufficiently to be able to operate, or to get them to shrink enough to allow your father to be comfortable. Although my husband lost the battle (there were other health issues too) it is becoming more and more common for people to recover from cancers like this, or at least to put the cancer into remission.

Please keep posting on this board, my apologies though if I am not around that often. Going through a difficult time myself at the moment.

hugs

Hi Tabbs

Thanks for replying sorry to hear you are going through a tough time - life who said it was easy.

My sister was as the appt yesterday I belive the chemo is to just try and make life comfortable for him, he apparently has several lumps on his liver however I think the gullet is causing most of the problems because he is unable to eat.  Fingers crossed he is up to chemo and it shrinks it enough to be able to lead a 'normal' (whatever that is) life.

Take care thanks

Mx

Hi Kirsteen

Thanks for replying do you mind me asking where you mum has been affected?

I had a good cry yesterday I do find I need to get it out I'm not very good at bottling things up.

Hopefully Dad will be fine with Chemo to I am hoping he is fine as its been mentioned he could have it at home which would make things a little easier.

Take care

Mx