Posts by Peter Cook

vividsailor7 said:1. It’s possible.
2. In my opinion, they won't start dialysis until things hit a critical point—like pulmonary edema, heart failure, azotemia (urea >30mmol/L), or hyperkalemia (K >6mmol/L).

My dad was discharged yesterday, and honestly, I’m just sitting here trying to make sense of all these results and the new diagnoses. No one at the hospital really sat us down to explain anything—they just sort of told us "this is how it is now" and hinted that things might only get worse...
The diagnoses listed are metastasis of the liver, lymph node metastasis, renal insufficiency, and thrombocytopenia.
Here are the lab results: L 5.5, E 3.57, Hb 116, Hct 0.322, MCV 90.2, MCH 32.5, MCHC 360, T 70, SE 13, WBC differential: segmented 77.6%, unsegmented 5, lymphocytes 13.8, reactive lymphocytes 0, monocytes 3.2, eosinophils 0.4, basophils 0, plasma cells 0, metamyelocytes 0, myelocytes 0, promyelocytes 0, blasts 0, PV 0.59, INR 1.36, AST 318, ALT 221, CK 26, LDH 158, GGT 146, ALP 179, Glucose 6, urea 43.4, creatinine 423, total Bilirubin 89.8, direct Bilirubin 42.7, total protein 49, albumin 22, Fe 17.3, UIBC 19.7, TIBC 37, triglycerides 1.96, total cholesterol 3.88, HDL 0.36, LDL 3.06, amylase (serum) 116, amylase (urine) 99, Ca 2.08, Na 131, K 5.6, Cl 96, ferritin 830, CRP 18.3

Protein electrophoresis: albumin 46, gamma-globulins 30.

Thanks in advance!

vividsailor7 said:Don't mention it.
I am truly sorry things are going this way.
If there is anything else you need—please, don't hesitate to ask.

Yesterday, I noticed some bruising on the arms and legs, along with these tiny little blue spots. Could this be an even sharper drop in platelet counts?

Angela Wright said:The real question is how much more the heart can take. Dialysis is an option, of course.

So far, nobody has brought up dialysis—some people try to push through it, but let's be honest, it's just not the same thing.

vividsailor7 said:Unfortunately, I had already assumed he would end up being hospitalized.

If he hadn't made it in yesterday, he would have passed away—it was that close. To put it bluntly, he had so much fluid buildup that it was nearly reaching his heart. They didn't perform a procedure to drain the fluid directly, but he actually managed to flush out a significant amount on his own. It’s exactly what you all suspected: kidney failure. They even administered an enema today. Things are looking up slightly; he isn't vomiting anymore, he’s eating, and he's even walking on his own. As for how long this stability will last? Well, nobody knows...
Thanks for everything.

Dad is back in the ER again—this time they’re actually admitting him, and things aren't looking great. We haven't been given any concrete answers regarding what's actually going on yet... 🙂

My dad has been stuck at the ER since this morning. They’re being incredibly hesitant about performing a paracentesis—you know, draining the fluid—because they’re worried about "hitting something" critical. On top of that, they're flagging his low platelet count, even though he's dealt with low levels before without much fuss. I honestly don't quite grasp the sudden hesitation—if they've handled this procedure for him in the past, what has changed? He hasn't even had an ultrasound yet to clarify things. For now, he’s just sitting there hooked up to an IV drip...

Jamie Howard3 said:Look, let’s just leave the healthcare system to deal with people who are actually critically ill. They have limited resources, so they should be using them more effectively instead of wasting them on this. If you’re worried about your mental state, maybe try cutting back on the chips, the Bueno bars, and all that McDonald's junk. Spend less time glued to a computer screen and get outside for a walk more often; you won't need psychological counseling if you just fix your lifestyle.

It’s all mental. Stop overeating and you'll be fine.

omg 🙈

Look, I have PCOS. I couldn't get pregnant, so I was taking Duphaston, and I gained 15 pounds even though my diet stayed exactly the same. Once I finally conceived, I kept taking the Duphaston and gained another 30 pounds... I lost about 25 during delivery, but not a single ounce since then. I've been breastfeeding for a while now, and the weight just isn't coming off. Believe me, I have zero desire to be overweight, and this isn't some matter of "diet and exercise"—I walk and I work out regularly... So, perhaps it's better to just stay quiet, because some of us are dealing with genuine medical issues that have nothing to do with overeating.

My LH/FSH levels were the only thing off; everything else in my labs came back normal...

mistynomad47 said:Hi there.

I'm curious to hear any impressions regarding Dr. Željko Kaštelan—specifically regarding dentistry. Here is the website.
Do her techniques actually work?
And what kind of pricing are we looking at, roughly speaking?

Basically, I’m just looking for an overall vibe. Is it even worth getting into this? (Because, honestly, I've had my fair share of dentists by now... ugh.)

I actually went through a similar thing a few years back... Personally, I wouldn't recommend HealOzone. The two teeth I had treated with it are essentially a lost cause—one ended up being pulled, and the other was something I spent two full years trying to fix with various different dentists... I can't quite recall the exact prices, though.

Dad had his follow-up appointment with the gastroenterologist yesterday, and honestly, the doctor said things are looking stable given everything he’s battling. We also had a home health visit—basically a nurse and a doctor will be coming by the house now—so he’ll be getting an IV once a week and Vitamin B shots every other day. He really needs to be drinking some Prosure, but he just refuses 😢. I’m feeling a bit lost—is there anything else we can even do to help him at this stage? The hardest part isn't even the physical stuff; it's the mental toll. He’s just... surrendered. It’s heartbreaking. Just a month ago, he was out driving his car, and now? He won't move, he just stays in bed constantly. He’s even refusing food. Physically, he says nothing hurts, except for the vomiting—which seems to be tied to his mood, too. Sometimes he gets worked up and starts throwing up, and other times he’ll go two days without it. Could his psychological state be triggering the nausea like that?

Angela Wright said:Hannah James76, even though things look quite grim right now, there is a chance he feels even worse because his electrolytes might be off—specifically those found in a banana. Typically, when someone is prescribed Lasix, they’ll also be given potassium (like Kalinorm).
It seems pretty clear that your dad is dealing with ascites.
I am just so incredibly sorry that everything has progressed this quickly.😢 Based on what you’ve described, it sounds like your dad is unfortunately in the terminal stage of the illness.
vividsailor7 listed several options that could still be pursued—if they haven't been already—but please, take a moment to weigh carefully how much they would truly help him versus how much they might simply cause him additional suffering.
Just stay by his side as much as possible and make his life easier in any way you can. What he needs most right now is Palliative Care—which means ensuring he stays hydrated, receives glucose, and gets proper pain management... you really have to insist on that.
Hang in there, dear; stay strong and try to remain as composed as you can. I know exactly how difficult that is when it involves someone you love, but often, that intense, overwhelming desire to "fix" them ends up causing nothing but extra pain.

That marker isn't a reliable diagnostic tool, so we really should wait for the pathology results.

Thank you so much, dear, for everything. For now, we are just holding on; some days are better than others, but we are right there with him, doing everything we can to make him comfortable.

vividsailor7 said:It is difficult to say for certain without seeing the actual lab work—since both creatinine and urea levels are quite elevated, knowing the electrolyte balance would be essential. Regarding dialysis, there was simply a note mentioning it as one of the indications, which serves as a reason why potassium is being prescribed alongside Lasix (except, of course, in specific instances of renal failure). As you previously noted, he will require Palliative Care. However, I suspect they might not have run these specific tests during the initial emergency room visit, which is why I suggested requesting them again to get a more comprehensive view of his current status.

Here are all the results I have on hand: L 4.59, E 3.94, Hbg 128, Hct 0.35, MCV 88.8, MCH 32.54, MCHC 366, T 82, PV 0.79, INR 1.18, AST 266, ALT 201, CK 61, LDH 158, Glucose 6.2, Urea 19.3, Creatinine 261, Total Bilirubin 52.1, Direct Bilirubin 20.1, Amylase (serum) 81, Na 133, K 4.4, Cl 102, CRP 10.
Diagnoses: Hepatocellular carcinoma, Chronic Hepatitis B, Ascites, Grade II esophageal and gastric varices, Portohypertensive Gastropathy, Cholecystolithiasis, Malnutrition.

Status: Conscious, oriented, mobile, eupneic, afebrile, with normal peripheral perfusion. Head and neck appear unremarkable upon external examination. Lungs show normal breath sounds. Heart rhythm is regular with clear tones; BP 110/80 mmHg. Abdomen: distended above the level of the chest, ascites is present and non-tender; liver and spleen are not palpable, and bowel sounds are audible. Extremities show no edema, and arterial pulsations are normal.

A paracentesis was performed, evacuating 3.5 liters of clear ascites.

His urine output is poor, he isn't having much bowel movement, and he is barely eating anything at all.

vividsailor7 said:They might increase the dosage, along with the Furosemide. Honestly, while the liver issues are concerning, the kidney function is actually a bit worse. Things are looking pretty grim.

Thank you—it’s just so obvious that he's struggling, and I truly feel at a loss as to how else we can help him... Aside from driving him to the ER every few days, what else is there? His labs have stayed largely the same over the last three months—just minor fluctuations—but now the fluid retention is starting up again.

vividsailor7 said:Those labs are intense. Regarding the medication—I was actually thinking about Aldactone, but I can't recall the dosage... how many mg?

Aldactone 100 mg.
The labs from October 7th show: AST 266, ALT 201, total bilirubin 52.1, Hb 128, Hct 0.35, urea 19.3, creatinine 261, direct bilirubin 20.1, CRP 10, and T 82. They’ve been vomiting slightly all day long and have barely eaten anything at all.

vividsailor7 said:What medications are being taken? And how do the liver function tests look?

Regarding the medication list—it includes Furosemide, Carvelol, Aldactone, and Reglan. As for the liver panel, I'm actually not entirely sure what the results showed; I don't have the lab reports right in front of me at the moment...

A little while back, I shared that my dad was diagnosed with hepatocellular carcinoma—and at first, we weren't even considering conventional treatment... we tried every alternative under the sun, but unfortunately, nothing seems to be making a dent. Just two days ago, he was in the ER having fluid drained from his abdomen, and today, he’s already full of it again; apparently, they aren't allowed to drain it anymore. What exactly is ahead of us? The thought of going to sleep is terrifying. He looks absolutely devastating—so incredibly thin, yet his abdomen is just massive—and he can't even keep food or water down without vomiting. That awful, crushing sense of helplessness is just killing me; I can't sleep, and I feel physically sick myself.

casualraven43 said:My dear friends... honestly, it is such a profound relief—and truly beautiful—to visit a site like this and read through these stories and heartfelt words. I mean, seriously, hats off to all of you! I truly wish for everyone here to find healing and for your burdens to become lighter to carry—because, let’s be honest, you all are absolute heroes. Bravooooo!!!!!
fadedtrucker5!!!! Bravo!!!!👋👋👏 👏 I truly admire you all—please, stay strong!
For those who aren't aware—and I feel like I should probably clarify this for everyone here—my father and I are fighting this battle together. He was diagnosed with primary hepatocellular carcinoma of the liver, a type that simply can't be operated on. To be honest, the doctors weren't giving him any kind of chance at all... but here we are. He’s currently undergoing chemotherapy—he’s finished 11 rounds so far, receiving them every 21 days—and it has been nearly ten or eleven months now. And the most incredible thing? He feels absolutely wonderful. How he’s handling this is nothing short of a miracle! He hasn't lost any hair, he isn't dealing with nausea, or any of those typical side effects... nothing at all. The only struggle he has is some insomnia, which is what he deals with as a musical artist 🙂🙂
What he has in abundance is pure, unadulterated positivity—he’s so convinced of his own vitality that he carries himself like someone who is 100% healthy, and honestly, he acts the part perfectly.🙂 Perhaps there’s a downside to all this—maybe it’s not always the best idea because he might get a bit too relaxed, you know? He could easily lose track of the boundaries—what’s acceptable and what isn't—but honestly, we’ve let him loose. If he feels good about it, then fine; if everything works out for us too, well, that’s even better... wouldn't you agree?
Please, don't pay any mind to the stories people tell—or how things supposedly went for one person or another—because, at the end of the day, we are all fundamentally different. And honestly? God is GREAT. No one can ever truly know how much time we have left in this life... it’s simply not within our grasp. All that matters is that we keep fighting and keep our prayers directed toward God—and personally, I still believe in miracles!!!!
I just want you all to know—I truly love you guys.😍

It truly warms my heart to hear that they’re feeling better... honestly. My own father went through the exact same thing—the doctors basically told him there was nothing more they could do, so now he's just back home, and that's really that. It's such a difficult position to be in, isn't it? To just have to accept it? He spent all of yesterday vomiting—just constant, non-stop—so it's been quite a struggle. 😢He’s strictly sticking to herbal remedies—nothing else—and maintaining this incredibly strict salt-free diet... and here I am, still holding onto the hope that some kind of miracle might happen.

Karen Torres42 said:Hannah James76@
Please hang in there and take care of yourself. Look after your dad, too—I truly hope you both can find the strength to stay mentally composed through this. My own life has felt like being stuck in a black hole for days now, so if I can offer any solace, it’s just this: stay by his side. Your presence alone will lift his spirits. Hang in there! I am so incredibly sorry. I can't offer any medical expertise, obviously, but I did read somewhere that elderberry juice—specifically the black elderberry kind—can be quite beneficial for platelet counts. It's supposed to be very good. I don't want to give you any false hope, but that's just what I've come across. Stay strong!

Thank you—we are all just trying to hold it together. For now, Dad looks good; he’s walking, driving his car, and honestly, you would never guess he was even ill. At the moment, he's on a diet consisting of various herbal remedies, medications, and juices, so we shall just have to see how things progress... We actually traveled to see a phytomedicine specialist in Vienna. They say hope is the last thing to die, and I am still holding onto the hope that he might live just a little longer through sheer force of will... Hang in there yourself, too. 😉

Angela Wright said:Honestly, I’m not surprised they gave you that answer at the Mayo Clinic—that’s just how they handle the complicated cases there. 🙄
And look, nobody can give you a definitive timeline on how much longer Dad might be with us, and frankly, that’s the very last thing you should be obsessing over right now. Instead, everyone needs to just... be. You all need to live in the here and now and make the most of every single day—not because he’s sick, mind you, but because that's really how we should all be living anyway. Let him live out whatever time he's been granted in this world. Just do everything you can to make sure he's comfortable and has the best quality of life possible, given the circumstances.
The unnamed specialist will provide their own opinion, and it is entirely possible it will contradict everything you've heard so far.

We met with them, and that was pretty much the only takeaway—though they did walk us through the lab results in great detail. Dad’s platelet count is low, and the medications are actually driving it down even further, which puts him at risk for bleeding. His unnamed level is at 50 and it’s only going to climb, and we all know where that leads... He doesn't want to die—he’s crying, and honestly, this feeling of complete helplessness? It’s absolutely killing me.😢

Angela Wright said:Go ahead and check out www.mayoclinic.org to get some insight from Dr. Thomas Jefferson—she’s an oncologist who actually contributes here as a volunteer.
Nexavar is what they call a "smart drug," but before anyone can be prescribed a specific type of chemotherapy—including Nexavar—certain criteria have to be met, such as age, overall physical condition, and the stage of the disease. Unfortunately, there are times when the illness is caught so late that administering chemo would simply deteriorate their health and quality of life without offering any real benefit.

I went ahead and signed up, but we've already scheduled everything with an unnamed specialist, so I’ll see what his take is... At the gastroenterology department, they told him he needed to follow up with oncology for chemo, yet when he went to the tumor clinic, they practically sent him home, saying there was nothing they could do. They wouldn't even perform a biopsy because they were afraid he might bleed out. What really strikes me is how great my dad looks—he has a healthy appetite and such a strong will to live... And if only someone could just tell us how much time we actually have left. We're fighting, though—hope dies last. Thank you.

I never imagined I’d be the one posting here—but life has a funny way of throwing curveballs, doesn't it? A couple of days ago, we received the news that my father has hepatocellular carcinoma... The doctors essentially told us there wasn't much they could do and sent him home. Of course, we aren't just going to sit back and accept that—we are looking into private options to keep fighting. Honestly, I’m still in such a state of shock that I don't even have the mental energy to read through this entire thread; I’m just desperately hoping there might be some glimmer of hope hidden somewhere in here... I did come across mention of a drug called Nexavar, but I am completely lost as to who to contact for more information—there seems to be so little helpful info available online...

Sarah Adams3 said:I’ve been on the pill for about eighteen months now,
and I figured I’d finish this month's supply and then we'll just rely on other methods.
I actually missed my dose for two days—well, I forgot the first day, and yesterday was more intentional.
Based on my math, those were exactly my most fertile days... and right then... oh boy!! 🙂
So, I have a few pills left, but I don't think I should keep taking them... because if we actually managed to conceive 🙂
my friend says I shouldn't mess things up, if you know what I mean...
I'm really hoping for a positive result! 🙂

There is definitely a chance you could be pregnant—my cousin went through the exact same thing and conceived—but I am genuinely confused... do you actually want a baby? 😕, or are you trying to surprise your partner by making this happen behind their back? 😛