Frustrated and depressed,!: My brother... - British Liver Trust

British Liver Trust

36,240 members17,901 posts

Frustrated and depressed,!

LLJPDL_65 profile image
8 Replies

My brother 66 been quite ill for long time diagnosed with gallstones, but nothing done!,!  Then developed pneumonia and lucky to come though that. HOWEVER  now got psc and liver cancer and told terminal  nothing to be done,just doesnt seem right. I trying to stay ppositive  but very  very  difficult. 

Written by
LLJPDL_65 profile image
LLJPDL_65
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
8 Replies
Bolly profile image
Bolly

Very sorry to hear this diagnosis.  If its cholangiocarcinoma have the doctors discussed stents or the Whipple procedure at all.

LLJPDL_65 profile image
LLJPDL_65 in reply to Bolly

I asked aboutstents and was told he isnt yellow so no need  for that. Also asked about alternative  therapy  and  told not to pin any hopes on this!  Seems like they just give up as theyve seen itso much. Thanks so much for replying  it does help a lot.Not sure what Whipple is never mentioned  by consultant. 

Bolly profile image
Bolly in reply to LLJPDL_65

It depends where the tumour(s) is.  If he has PSC its fairly rare and it mainly affects the bile ducts.  If the tumour(s) is in the bile ducts treatment options will be different to a tumour in the liver.  Surgery is the best option for curing primary liver cancer but ironically your liver has to be relatively ok to survive the surgery!  There are life extending treatments but these need to be assessed as to whether the benefit to the patient will be greater than the risk of the treatment.

Whipple is used when the cancer has spread to a few different places, as it removes sections of the pancreas, stomach, gallbladder etc. but it does also remove some of the bile ducts, so it depends if his PSC cancer is in the bile ducts.

LLJPDL_65 profile image
LLJPDL_65 in reply to Bolly

think that is where cancer is  as given leaflets about bile duct cancer, now looking at possible alternative therapy. thanks for reply it is comforting ,you dont realise how much illness around until you start attending hospital with someone!t

Bolly profile image
Bolly in reply to LLJPDL_65

I would guess that if your brother is under an oncologist they will obviously tend to offer mainstream medical monitoring/treatment.  If your brother decides to opt out of conventional medicine and switch to alternative then that's absolutely fine, as long as it's his choice.  It's quite normal within palliative and hospice situations to have alternative and complementary therapies on offer, so I would guess most doctors won't have a problem with that. However I do caution against treatments that have no scientific basis as a cure, so for example naturopathic remedies using herbs etc. 

Brummi profile image
Brummi

Sorry about your sad news, you are so right to try to be positive. Please remember there are folk on here  always ready to chat. If you really want to rant pm me and let it go I will not be offended. Prayers for you, take care...

LLJPDL_65 profile image
LLJPDL_65 in reply to Brummi

thank you so much. nice to know people care out there! My brother been through so much in his life but we did not think it would be his liver  that would give bother, he has lung problems also, suppose you have to be glad you get to certain age! THANKS FOR YOUR PRAYERS it does help.God  Bless.

H1ghtower profile image
H1ghtower

Good luck. 

You may also like...

Depression

decompensated stage 4 liver cirrhosis, plus other problems. He is been abstinent from being...

Depression

I seem to be feeling very down and depressed lately, I feel like crying a lot of the time. I’ve had

Depressed and frightened

unanswered questions, which i'm sure i will be discussing very shortly!

Anti depressant question

Feeling very down at the moment stage 3 cirrhosis but also got my leg in an air boot for 8 weeks due

Cirrhosis and depression

these difficult times and maintained their sobriety. I feel like the quality of life I have right...