Stage 4 Liver Cancer

[Merski]

Does anyone survive this??? My dear niece has been told she has it. See transgender relative thread under Families. Her dad died less than a year ago from cancer. My sister is literally a wreck from this. Anyone here who has dealt with this form of cancer in any way who has some tips or support, I'd appreciate it. It's so sad that now that she is out as a female and dressing always as a woman even at her job, that she would get hit with this. I know that cancer strikes all kinds of people and is never at a good time. Just trying to help her and my sister.

[Mrs-M]

In the spirit of survival, which so many embrace and hold true to (when they are ill), I reach out to join hands with you at the time, Merski, as my way of extending my support to both you, your niece, and family.

[mtnlaurel]

Dear Merski - I do not have direct experience with stage 4 liver cancer so I cannot answer your question. I just wanted to reach out to you to let you know that you, your niece and family will be in my thoughts.

[Mrs-M]

Stage IV cancer, usually means metastasis, which is a much more grave diagnosis compared to a diagnosis where the cancer is isolated to one place or has affected one single primary location (area, organ, etc).

According to everything I have read and people I have talked to, primary liver cancer (cancer originating in the liver and staying in liver) is rare, meaning the cancer diagnosis your niece received, surely is the result of cancer going undiagnosed (elsewhere in your nieces body), and reaching a stage IV grade. Sadly, when metastasis is present in addition to the high stage level, the survival rate for such a diagnosis is never favourable.

[Merski]

Thank you for your heartfelt support. I do believe that it was metastatic. Her father's "family curse" is stomach and colon cancer. I believe that all of her aunts and uncles by blood on that side are dead already. She has three other sibs that I am going to beg to get scans. Sigh! I'm going to try very hard to stay by my sister (we are not very close) and face this thing head on. She did say that I could get her some ensure plus which she can drink and to make her brothy soups.

[early morning]

Merski - I am so sorry your niece - and you and the rest of the family - are having to deal with this. I have no advice, just lots of ((())) and many thoughts for the best possible outcome.

[rose]

I'm sorry to hear about your niece. I do have a friend that had stage 4 colon cancer and moved to be near her daughter thinking she would die. It's been 10 years and she is alive and well. Hopeful for her.

[danna]

Stage 4 means it started in one place and is now moved to another...of course not good.

But, the important thing to know is were the primary cancer was and what the Grade of the cancer is and this is also on a scale of 1-4.

My husbands Kidney Cancer was stage 4/grade 4 so not good and he did not do well.

But, my dear friend was diagnosed with Uterine Cancer Stage 4/Grade 1 and she lasted for 15 years with the cancer showing up someplace
different about every 4 years (but it was still classed as the same Primary Cancer).
Hope that makes sense?

[Float On]

Its a hard cancer to fight when it reaches the liver. Has she been placed on a transfer list? That seems to be about the only way once it's in the liver because you can't live without a liver. I'm offering up a prayer for her and this fight.

[catherine]

These days it's so hard to predict the outcome of any cancer diagnosis, because of new treatments that are available.

I have nothing to offer either, except to give you and your family my thoughts and prayers. I would just say to make sure she is happy with her doctor and get any support she can from the hospital/cancer center.

[Tussiemussies]

So sorry to hear about your niece. I will be praying for her and the whole family...

[Merski]

Thank you all.....

[redfox]

Oh honey. It's so hard to get news like this. We all know that we all die... but it is never easy, especially when it's our young people.

May I recommend the writings of Stephen & Ondrea Levine? Especially Healing Into Life and Death.

blessings.

[Stella]

I have no advice, but wanted to let you know that your whole family is in my prayers.

[Mighty Frugal]

My female cousin was diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer when she was 49-last year. It had metastasized to her liver and stomach as well. When first diagnosed she was in hospital for months and we really didn't think she would pull through. But here it is one year later and she is still motoring along:)

With such a grave diagnosis (apparently she has 6 tumours throughout her liver, colon and stomach) she is upbeat and positive. doctors won't even operate because there are too many. so she does chemo one week on, one week off. She is at home. And even 'ran' at the 5k Terry Fox run in September and raised quite a bit of $$.

I think her positive attitude and willingness to move on is part of the reason she is still with us a year later. She has all sorts of plans on what she will do when she is well and is already doing new things

Is her situation dire? Sure. Will she survive another year? Who knows. Who knows if any of us will survive another year.

But I am so humbled by her attitude and rest assured that your niece may surprise all of you and she may have more time than anyone thinks-including her doctors!

[Mrs-M]

Mighty Frugal, your cousin is an inspiration.

[JaneV2.0]

There's hardly a grave diagnosis you could name where someone didn't beat the odds. I wish all the best for your niece.

[Gardenarian]

I'm sorry for this sad news. The usual prognosis is a few months up to two years, but there are of course many exceptions. In any case, certainly a very difficult time ahead for your niece.
Blessings.