Posts by Thomas Lewis9

Everything is going to be okay. You've all navigated so many ups and downs to get here. I'm really hoping for amazing results—fingers crossed and keeping you all in my prayers!

It’s been a little while since my last update. My dad is currently on his second round of chemo, and so far, things seem to be holding steady. I wanted to jump back in and add a few thoughts to what rustyscout31 mentioned earlier. I’ve actually met some people who have successfully dealt with liver metastases—in some cases, the spots actually calcified. I also feel like there are so many stories online from people who have beaten this incredibly tough disease, and I think we really need to lean into those kinds of stories for strength. Surgical removal definitely makes sense as an option, too. It’s possible that if a tumor shrinks, doctors might be able to save just enough liver tissue for it to naturally regenerate itself. Honestly, since Dad has been in the hospital, I’ve heard so many beautiful stories about different ways people fight back. Everyone chooses their own path, I suppose. I also think it’s important to leave room for miracles; they really do happen, and having faith seems necessary. Maybe I’m being a bit overly optimistic because things are okay right now, but who knows what tomorrow brings? I’m going to try to stay hopeful for as long as I can.

To be honest, I haven't posted for a while because I wasn't really sure what to say. My dad, who is dealing with stomach adenocarcinoma that has metastasized to the liver, just finished his first round of chemotherapy. It lasted six days. He received Cisplatin along with five doses of 5Fu (a 22-hour drip followed by five consecutive bottles). They sent him home, and now he’s looking at a four-week recovery period. On the first day, he felt a bit weak, though I guess he attributed that mostly to being stuck in bed for six days straight. He's usually a very active guy. The only thing he's feeling right now is a bit of tightness when swallowing, almost like a sore throat. His doctor prescribed some kind of gel for it today. While searching online, I came across a site about mushroom-based health supplements. I reached out to them and they seem okay, but the cost is a bit steep. For a 60-day course of therapy, it would cost roughly $5667. I suppose the money isn't the main issue if it actually works. I'm curious to hear your thoughts—has anyone here had experience with this? Truthfully, there was a moment where I felt like I just wanted to buy everything I could find to help. I took the advice of Angela Wright and bought some Native propolis; he's also drinking plenty of nettle tea, and I'm making sure he eats lots of fresh fruits and vegetables, plus beet juice, of course. Does anyone else have advice on how to improve blood counts and prepare for the next chemo cycle?? I truly tip my hat to all of you for your courage and strength. Reading these posts really makes me feel like I'm not going through this alone.

Kimberly Green23 said:I wanted to check back in after quite a while. I really want to offer some support to Betty Sanchez82. My stepfather had surgery on a stomach tumor just over a month ago. To put it bluntly, they basically just opened him up and closed him back up. An acquaintance of ours with years of experience working with oncology patients initially thought he might only have about a month left, likely due to bleeding. Fortunately, that window has passed, and he’s still doing well. He isn't in pain, just some occasional vomiting, which seems to be getting less frequent and less intense. We're feeling hopeful that he'll definitely make it past the three-month mark his surgeon gave him, too. Also, to help boost his immune system, we've been giving him a herbal tincture blend recommended by a friend who went through all of this nearly 20 years ago and is still healthy and thriving today. It comes from a herbalist out in Pittsburgh. So far, it seems to be helping. We'll just have to see how things progress.

I was wondering if you could tell me more about those herbal drops? I wouldn't mind making the trip out to Pittsburgh to get them. Also, sorry, but first I wanted to thank you for all your support and effort. My dad is still feeling okay; we're heading back to the oncologist this Thursday to discuss the chemotherapy plan.

Thank you all so much for the kind words and support. Honestly, everything feels so new and overwhelming right now that I’m not even sure where to start. I didn't actually ask the doctor for his opinion or press him for details; he just dropped that prognosis on me out of nowhere. He was so cold and detached about it that it honestly made my blood run cold. After I caught my breath for a second, I realized he was just staring at me, like he was thinking, "Okay, what else do you want from me?" It's not like I'm looking for pity or asking anyone to lie to me, but saying things like that just feels so wrong. I know plenty of people who have been given incorrect diagnoses before, and I don't expect doctors to be omniscient, but I really think they should show a little more humanity. I'm going to fight this with everything I've got, and I truly hope I win. Thank you all again.

I went to the doctor today with my dad to pick up his pathology results, but he wouldn't actually give them to us. He said he’ll be sending them directly to the oncologist instead. He also mentioned that the tumor isn't operable, then told my dad to step out while I stayed behind in the office. As soon as my dad walked out the door, the guy just casually dropped that he's looking at six months of therapy. ???????????????????? I mean, seriously? First of all, I didn't even ask him about that, and second—how can someone be that cold about it? My dad is doing okay, aside from feeling more tired lately because his iron levels are low. But six months???????????????????

Thanks for the support. Even though we haven't met, I can tell you have a huge heart. At first, the doctors told my dad he needed surgery, but now they're saying he should start chemotherapy immediately instead. We're still waiting on the biopsy results to find out exactly what we're dealing with. I'll reach out once we know more—maybe someone here has gone through something similar.

I feel like I've been hitting a brick wall for days now. Ever since I found out my dad was hit by that terrible disease called cancer, and ever since the doctors decided against surgery in favor of going straight to chemo, I've felt completely paralyzed. He means everything to me, and honestly, I'm terrified. Does anyone here know anything about radiofrequency ablation of tumor tissue being performed on a rib??

I feel so lost right now, and I honestly don't know where to turn or how to even start engaging with this community. My father was diagnosed with cancer last week. They mentioned his stomach is involved, but I suppose that wouldn't be the biggest issue. He has metastases near the liver, so if anyone could offer any kind of advice or guidance, I would truly appreciate it. Please help me.