End Stage Colon Cancer

He has just been told that the doctors think it is time to stop his chemo treatments - I'm guessing the end is near, but so far he is refusing help from outside sources (Hospice, etc.), so I don't know what to expect right now. He is losing weight at a rapid pace and has no appetite whatsoever most days. He is also in quite a bit of pain most of the time and I'd like to at least make him comfortable if his time with us is nearing the end. Any additional info provided would be greatly appreciated.

It is natural for him to lose his appetite. Just give him what he is willing to eat or drink. Does he have hospice care? They would be very helpful and are the experts at pain control. They also provide quite a bit of other support.

2008-01-05 17:49:17 by Terrie M

For more information visit www.envita.com to find out how we can help you. June 7, 2005- In 2001, at the age of 39, Sandy Yozipovic, a wife and ...

I feel kind of silly asking my oncologist this. I have been clean of cancer (end first stage colon cancer) since 9/21/2003. I've always been signed up as a tissue donor and give blood when I can. Can I still do this since I'm no longer on chemo? For some reason I thought my doctor said no.

Cancer
Eligibility depends on the type of cancer and treatment history. If you had leukemia or lymphoma, including Hodgkin’s Disease, you are not eligible to donate. Other types of cancer are acceptable if the cancer has been treated successfully and it has been at least 5 years since treatment was completed and there has been no cancer recurrence in this time. Some low-risk cancers including squamous or basal cell cancers of the skin do not require a 5 year waiting period.

Precancerous conditions of the uterine cervix do not disqualify you from donation if the abnormality has been treated successfully. You should discuss your particular situation with the health historian at the time of donation.

2006-11-22 15:42:28 by Diana D

My brother is only 48, was healthy and strong before the colon cancer, which remained undiagnosed until it was too late, put him in the hospital to undergo two surgeries, then chemo, and then another surgery, when the chemo was withdrawn, and he had a prognosis of six weeks remaining. He is now at home, under the care of his wife and hospice. The feeding tube was withdrawn, as was the IV drip that provided him with fluids. His belly is still being pumped to keep the bowel contents contained but there is no longer a 'bowel' remaining. Body fluids have risen to his arms and shoulders. I don't know what will end his life first... starvation? Respiratory failure? Heart failure? Or is there something else?
Last Sunday he was given just a few days to live. This is Wednesday night. Will he last weeks, or months? Pain management is barely working anymore.
My brother is gone. He left us at 1:28 this afternoon.
Thank you, each of you, who responded so sweetly. It does help.

I am so very sorry for your situation. He is swelling up now and that usually starts when the end is near. Unfortunately no one can say how much time he has left. It doesn't sound like his pain is being managed very well. Insist that he be given the top dose. i worked as a hospice nurse and we were very liberal with pain meds in its last stages. god bless and good luck.

2008-01-23 17:57:21 by wolfislandwizard

a very dear friend of mine is in stage iv colon cancer. the chemo has stopped and she has been sent home with some type of stomach fluid pump that is connected to a port in her abdomen. her only source of nutrition is ensure drinks and soft foods like jello. i know that her body cannot maintain this. i can't imagine she will last a month like this. what will happen? how will the end come? will her heart just stop due to lack of nutrition? need to know.

Hopefully your friend is under hospice care? They can guide and explain the next phase of this journey . . many, many cancer patients at the end of life phase will stop eating and barely drink at all . . in fact it is almost cruel to force food or water on a dying patient . . this must be her decision totally. Basically the dying body can no longer process food normally . . and water will end up 'pooling' within the body and cause bloating and discomfort. Your friend may just naturally stop eating because it will make her feel nauseous or bloated . . drinking fluids will cause edema or worse ascites. So she will naturally not crave or desire food . . she may be thirsty and be able to swallow ice chips. When a patient is dying just eating and drinking may become a burden for them . . offer it . .but if they refuse than just support and love her because eventually the body will starve or organs fail from lack of water. It is the cancer that is killing her . . but it is the bodies natural way of dealing with the end of life. This may become very upsetting to you and those who are around her . . but allow her to lead the way . . let her chose whether to stop eating and drinking as this may be the kindest path to the end of her life. I am so, so sorry. Just hold her, love her, and let her go.

NCI: End of Life Questions and Answers
http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/facts heet/support/end-of-life-care

Advanced Cancer
http://www.cancerbackup.org.uk/Resources support/Advancedcancer

2008-05-20 14:47:24 by TXGAL50

She was recently diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer July 30. She has had surgery to give her a colostomy which was necessary to save her life temporary for a few more months. Mom is 79 yrs old and is so tiny weighing in at 79 lbs. She is now at home under hospice care where she is very happy instead of being at the hospital. The hospice nurse shows once/twice a week for the moment until she worsens then the visits will get more frequent. Mom was getting so strong lately and eating well and visiting with guests.. now she has a new symptom. Her tiny little feet and ankles are swelling up like little baloons. You can leave an finger indentation in them when you push on them.

What is causing the swelling I know its more than likely Edema or acities but is there really a difference between the two of them?

Does this means her kidneys are failing? Yesterday she is drinking better than the day before but urinates only once to maybe twice a day.
Is there anyone out there that has or had a loved one or friend with stage 4 and did they begin to have swelling at the feet and ankles as a beginning symptom of declining in health towards the end? I have heard that many patients begin to feel better before they begin to decline. She has felt really great the past week and a half now her feet are swelling and its completely new to us and her. What shoul we as her children expect next swellling anywhere else, loss of appetite, onger sleeping patterns, ore naps what anything will help. We are all so scared that this may be the beginning of the end for mom. If there is anything we can do to make her feel more comfortable please let us know. Thank for your responses and God Bless you all

Yes - It is possible to have swelling. I hope she has been given chemotheraphy treatment and most probably Medicine Ifosfamide in combination withe Mesna is given. Some of the chemo drugs cause swelling in the feet, etc. and it will go away in due course.

Secondly due to the side effects of these medicines and also Radiation some times the patient may suffer from UTI (Urinary track Infection) which will also lead to swelling of legs and feets.

And it may be the result of swelling of Lymph nodes and this also can be treated by your doctor.

I find she had already had the full treatment like colostomy etc. and this is not a very bigh thing. Or there may be some other reason due to which this swelling has taken place. Your doctor is the best judge on the spot to tell the reason and also treat it. Please therefore consult him. But for this do not get alarmed as all these side effect are imaginable in a Stage IV patient. Please take care of her. -

2008-09-03 02:07:44 by misspookett