The liver and the lungs are often where cancer is detected, but often did not start there. If a tumor is benign, which is kind of a bad name because it's still not good, it respects the boundaries of the tissue around it. It will grow like a pearl, it will be smooth and pop out of the tissue around it with minimal attachment. But when it goes malignant it is like a dandelion that is growing. It may send a long roots that penetrate many different tissues. Skin cancers do this. It might start off as a bump, then one day it's grown darker and it's pinching the skin in like a button on a leather s
The liver and the lungs are often where cancer is detected, but often did not start there. If a tumor is benign, which is kind of a bad name because it's still not good, it respects the boundaries of the tissue around it. It will grow like a pearl, it will be smooth and pop out of the tissue around it with minimal attachment. But when it goes malignant it is like a dandelion that is growing. It may send a long roots that penetrate many different tissues. Skin cancers do this. It might start off as a bump, then one day it's grown darker and it's pinching the skin in like a button on a leather sofa. This is happening because it's rooted itself to the bone underneath and now can send roots into other tissues. But also like a dandelion, the tumor can go to seed. So you see a dandelion on your lawn with a white head of fluff and you try yanking it out. The root snaps off and stays in the ground, and the dandelion seeds blow away on the wind where they will take seed everywhere. You just actually made it worse
So eventually the malignant tumor may metastasize and send out thousands of cells through your bloodstream like dandelion seed on a wind and the tumors start up everywhere. If doctors try to remove a malignant tumor they have to cut around it with wide margins to make sure they don't miss any of the tiny roots. Like a gardener digging around a dandelion to get it all.
Now back to the liver and the lungs. Once these tumor seeds are blowing through your circulatory system, they'll pass through the lungs and the liver which have the finest capillaries in the body to do their job. So it is very easy for these tumor seeds to get stuck in the liver and lungs. So very often first symptom of your cancer is actually the last symptom of your cancer, that it has spread throughout the body. So your friend probably had secondary liver cancer. It had already been loose for a very long time before these little seed cells cause trouble. I've known two people that have died of secondary lung cancer and they never did find where it originated from but the cells in the lung we're a type of cancer that could not have formed there. I also had a friend die of liver cancer, and again the cells were not the type to have originated there.
I was diagnosed with lung cancer at the beginning of February. Right from the get-go it was stage 4, meaning it was already spreading and I had nothing but my typical winter cough from Christmas. But if I think about it for about a year I was finding myself progressively more tired and harder to work up my enthusiasm each day as a teacher. I put it down to staying up too late, working hard and getting a bit older. So if I really think back I was off my game for a year and just hadn't really noticed till the coughing fits suddenly escalated. But I've had those for 30 years and at saw no reason for alarm. What set me off was suddenly I couldn't breathe and they find litres of bloody fluid in my chest cavity from the tumors piercing the lung and letting fluid out. Had this been a hundred years ago I would have died within a week because there would have been no way to remove the fluid.
Now that I've started the medication 4 days ago I got through two doses and now I'm in a heart failure and back in the hospital. Was it the drug? The heart failure is on the right side which goes to the lungs so if my lungs aren't letting blood through than the heart is over strained itself. And that makes sense from the viewpoint of lung cancer that the lung may now be so inflamed and damaged it's hard for blood to go through it and that's why it's leaking into the space in my chest. Again, without medical invent intervention the sudden onset of new symptoms 3 days ago would probably have been fatal in just a couple of days. Even after 3 days of treatment to make me urinate out all the fluid that's gathered around my heart and while being on oxygen I'm only at 87% oxygen saturation when it should be more like 98%. So I feel fine but dizzy, but all I can think of is something else broke 3 days ago and set me off on a new downward path that's halted. So whatever it was it cost about a 10% deficit to my oxygen supply overnight.
In the end the difference between being alive and not there are single nerves in your body it could be cut and it could be fatal. I don't want to ask to go into the details of your friend's death but sometimes it's just a sudden Cascade failure something leaks the immune system jumps on it and it runs away and it's over very suddenly.
My three sisters died of cancer, two of my best friends, about five of my work colleagues, and about five other friends. All between 2007 and 2017. Some of them were on the same day. About a third of them to maybe a half died slipping away medicated in the hospital over the course of several days. Others just died in minutes. Having been walking around and talking the day before. And that's the bizarre part when you see a person that's looks walking healthy and they're not. That's exactly where I am at right now if you sit still and talk with me you'll notice nothing, and I don't feel anything other than I can't breathe after a couple of days without treatment. But if I get up and try to walk I got 75 steps and I'm down on my hands and knees
So it is a surprising disease. And losing someone is so abrupt it's hard to comprehend. Sorry for your loss
I was on holiday/vacation with my parents in July 2019, when I was a medical student, in a lovely area in Gran Canaria in the Canary Islands off the Moroccan coast. Here is my mother and I during that time:
Here’s another of her on the same two-week long holiday:
Looks amazing for a 65-year old woman, right?
Well, during that holiday she complained of a little chest pain - walking up hills in particu
I was on holiday/vacation with my parents in July 2019, when I was a medical student, in a lovely area in Gran Canaria in the Canary Islands off the Moroccan coast. Here is my mother and I during that time:
Here’s another of her on the same two-week long holiday:
Looks amazing for a 65-year old woman, right?
Well, during that holiday she complained of a little chest pain - walking up hills in particular - and as she was a healthy, non-smoking, non-drinking woman I thought it might’ve been some angina. She said she didn’t want to worry about it, but I eventually convinced her to promise me she’d go to the doctor once we arrived home. Long after this happened my dad confessed she had a bit of a painful cough during the holiday, but didn’t want to worry anyone with it.
We got home, and she did indeed go to the GP/family doctor. She was sent for a chest X-ray (CXR) a few days later, ‘just to be sure’, the doctor said, as he was confident there wasn’t anything wrong with her, or indeed maybe a little angina or simply difficulty exercising with increasing age (mid-60s). Before she went for it, I’ll never forget she said: “Kieran, I think something’s wrong, I can tell something isn’t right, I’m scared”, or something along those very lines. I brushed it off, reassured her and told her not to worry. I mean, after all, she looked great and had no manifestations of anything serious; I’d even examined her myself - not to say I was a qualified doctor but I knew during an examination if anything was horribly wrong.
That same day of the CXR, the doctor asked her to come in the next day. Now at that point, some alarm bells were certainly ringing.
We went in the next day (my mother, sister and I), and the young GP broke it to us (to be fair, it must’ve been very hard for him as well) in a not-so-great manner: “you almost certainly have lung cancer, but there’s another more serious matter we need to deal with”. Wait, WHAT? What could be more serious than a large malignant lung tumour?
Well, it turns out my mum had lung cancer, but the more ‘serious’, or acute - as the doctor maybe should have said - issue he was referring to were pulmonary emboli (clots in the lungs) that could have been fatal if not quickly treated. Our world shattered in that moment and we cried our eyes out. But I still had hope that it could be treated or her life at least be extended as long as possible.
She went to hospital, and after treatment for the emboli her investigations came back as non-small cell lung cancer, which had also metastasised to the liver. When I asked to see the X-ray and CT-scan results, my heart sank… the tumour was huge, and knowing it had already invaded the liver left me knowing then that most of the hope I had was lost. But my mum didn’t want to know the prognosis, so I had (at least try) to stay strong for her in the moment, and talk to the doctors separately afterwards. When all the investigations were returned a week or so later after my mother also had some serious clavicular (collar bone) and chest pain, she was officially diagnosed with stage IV non-small cell lung cancer, which had metastasised to her liver, bones and brain. She wasn’t given long but they couldn’t say an exact length of time.
She died three and-a-half months later, throughout that time going from the bright and amazing woman she looked like above, to weak and ill, with dementia-like symptoms as a result of the brain metastases. It was such a shock; and my father, sister and brother did so much to stay strong and look after her. My sister in particular stayed with her every night when she was in hospital. She died at home surrounded by family. I wasn’t there and that will forever haunt me. But, through no-one’s fault but my own, I had been completely dysfunctional in the weeks prior to her death and had went off the deep-end mentally to say the least; doing things I shouldn’t have been doing to numb the pain - so there was a good reason why I wasn’t there looking after her as much as my father and sister did. Maybe, in the grand scheme of things, I didn’t deserve to be there for her last moments due to being in my own selfish bubble of dysfunction and pain - but that’s a story for another day. It’s taken me a long time to become anything close to fully functional again, but I’m getting there slowly but surely.
Afterwards there were so many questions swirling around in my head. ‘How didn’t I notice any more symptoms than I did?’, ‘how didn’t I pick up on this earlier?’, ‘I should have realised something was terribly wrong sooner, particularly being a medical student, how stupid of me!’. I’ve now since all but essentially forgiven myself for not picking up on it earlier, though. Firstly, because my mum hid some of her symptoms due to her extreme anxiety and fear of death, as well as not wanting to worry or be a burden to others. Also, and more importantly, because cancer is a sneaky, insidious, nightmare of a disease! So please, if you have even minor symptoms that continue for longer than usual, get your doctor to refer you for a scan or to get other tests/bloodwork done!
The large lung tumour I had seen on the CXR had likely been developing for several years, causing almost no symptoms whatsoever. So without a CXR or any other scans due to other conditions or potential coincidental issues, it was pretty much undetectable. And as the question suggests, cancer in many can go undetected with little-to-no-symptoms until it has reached a point where cancer cells have travelled through the cardiovascular or lymphatic systems to surrounding, or even distant, lymph nodes, organs and sites. And when that happens, it can progress rapidly, from one week having a slight cough, minor pain or indigestion to a few weeks later having severe pain, no appetite, weight-loss (otherwise known as cachexia in people with cancer), delirium, dementia and so many more severe symptoms. Unfortunately that’s what makes cancer - among other things - so scary!
So to the OP, I’m so sorry for your loss. Note, also, that my mother’s cancer was non-small cell lung cancer, which is the slower-growing kind compared to small-cell, so it’s even more mind-bogglingly shocking and sometimes confusing in regard to the seemingly rapid spread. But that’s the thing, too: it wasn’t necessarily a rapid spread; the progression was indeed rapid in terms of symptoms after the cancer had metastasised, but the actual time progression of the cancer process would have been slow yet undetectable for years (up to five or...
I'm a cancer nurse and in my experience, colon and pancreatic cancer seem to be detected pretty late stage. They don't always move quickly - but the symptoms are typically mild at first, then the individual gets used to it and just deals with it. There are other things that need to be focused on and dealt with. Family. Work. Financial obligations. Preventive care is huge but doesn't cover everything. They don't say much to others and don't feel the need to get it checked out and always tell themselves “im fine.” I myself am guilty. I hardly ever seek help for myself until its bad. Like, really
I'm a cancer nurse and in my experience, colon and pancreatic cancer seem to be detected pretty late stage. They don't always move quickly - but the symptoms are typically mild at first, then the individual gets used to it and just deals with it. There are other things that need to be focused on and dealt with. Family. Work. Financial obligations. Preventive care is huge but doesn't cover everything. They don't say much to others and don't feel the need to get it checked out and always tell themselves “im fine.” I myself am guilty. I hardly ever seek help for myself until its bad. Like, really bad.
At least in the US, it would certainly help if citizens were not paying 5k for a CT scan since blood work is not always often used for diagnosis of these cancers. It requires extra tests that many cannot afford and would rather put toward their families and not themselves. It sucks. After these tests, cost of treatment is also pretty terrible for many. If getting treatment was not such a financial burden to so many, more people would be willing to get help. People who are in emergencies refuse ambulances because they know what that bill will look like. It's heartbreaking.
I apologize for ranting..
I don’t know. My guy got colon cancer and was very tired (first sign). He had stomach issues (2nd sign - but doctor said it was diverticulitis without any tests). It spread to the liver and the lungs and later the brain. He had trouble breathing (3nd symptom - but doctor said it must be adult onset asthma) and then had a lung collapse (plural effusion) (4rd symptom and voila! blood tests showed he
I don’t know. My guy got colon cancer and was very tired (first sign). He had stomach issues (2nd sign - but doctor said it was diverticulitis without any tests). It spread to the liver and the lungs and later the brain. He had trouble breathing (3nd symptom - but doctor said it must be adult onset asthma) and then had a lung collapse (plural effusion) (4rd symptom and voila! blood tests showed he needed an emergency transfusion, and he was diagnosed with cancer.). He never had signs of the issues in his liver, but the PET ...
That is horrible. I am so sad to hear that. My dad also had colon cancer. He was in third stage . So the doctor took a call of performing surgery to remove the tumour just one week after they detected . He recuperated and lived another three years after the surgery. Since the removal Is never 100% percent as tumour can move to other parts of the body and start multiplying again, they usually perform chemotherapy and radiation on the patients . .But since my dad was already 84 and his body would not respond well , they left it at that. He lived for another three years and died of tumor in the l
That is horrible. I am so sad to hear that. My dad also had colon cancer. He was in third stage . So the doctor took a call of performing surgery to remove the tumour just one week after they detected . He recuperated and lived another three years after the surgery. Since the removal Is never 100% percent as tumour can move to other parts of the body and start multiplying again, they usually perform chemotherapy and radiation on the patients . .But since my dad was already 84 and his body would not respond well , they left it at that. He lived for another three years and died of tumor in the lymph nodes. I wish your friend had better guidance.
Last November another friend was detected with breast cancer in the first stage. She got herself operated the next day and is undergoing chemotherapy now.
May your friend Rest in Peace Om Shanti 🕉️
They probably felt a lot more than indigestion but it started slow and they got used to it. Your typical boiled frog. I went away with friends a few weeks before I was diagnosed with an aggressive and cancer. I was lucky to survive but at the time of the trip my only complaint was a sinus infection that was not going away.
It was really only a few years after recovering from the trauma of it all that I was able to look back and see some other symptoms and how they seemed to fit into my situation organically. Specifically I was a new mother and nursing too. It seemed every other out there, inclu
They probably felt a lot more than indigestion but it started slow and they got used to it. Your typical boiled frog. I went away with friends a few weeks before I was diagnosed with an aggressive and cancer. I was lucky to survive but at the time of the trip my only complaint was a sinus infection that was not going away.
It was really only a few years after recovering from the trauma of it all that I was able to look back and see some other symptoms and how they seemed to fit into my situation organically. Specifically I was a new mother and nursing too. It seemed every other out there, including myself, lacked good support and self care. Everything I labeled as a normal side effect of hormones and stress. By the time I got diagnosed, I had a decent list of signals I had put aside as normal mothering pains.
However, when I actually had it, I had no idea. It was a complete and total shock. I looked quite healthy and had a healthy lifestyle of diet and exercise so it shocked all the people around me too.
What I learned all of that is to be proactive with my health. Figure out what unhealthy patterns existed long before I was sick such that the environmental factors that let cancer grow are abated. I also learned to go to the dr whenever my personal biological patterns change even if there seems to be a logical cause for such shifts.
I imagine the loss of your friend was quite traumatizing. I am sorry for your loss and hope you can find a sense of confidence and health in yourself. Cheers.
My grandpa had 3 terminal cancers liver, bone, and lung, only drank and smoke on occasions like 3 times a year and he was 72 when he passed, 5 days after his diagnosis. Literally less than a month before he passed he was walking around fine and normal at seaworld all day. He got really sick in the hospital about 2 weeks before he passed but he was able to walk 5 steps to the toilet in the room his first few days in the hospital. The nurses kept giving him Tylenol and not taking his pain seriously, he also just wasn’t eating a lot in general and ultimately made his liver worse. He got sent home
My grandpa had 3 terminal cancers liver, bone, and lung, only drank and smoke on occasions like 3 times a year and he was 72 when he passed, 5 days after his diagnosis. Literally less than a month before he passed he was walking around fine and normal at seaworld all day. He got really sick in the hospital about 2 weeks before he passed but he was able to walk 5 steps to the toilet in the room his first few days in the hospital. The nurses kept giving him Tylenol and not taking his pain seriously, he also just wasn’t eating a lot in general and ultimately made his liver worse. He got sent home on hospice no food or water just medication to keep him out of pain. Three days later he passed away peacefully with our family around him. It’s hard to cope when it happens so fast and I hate cancer.
It doesn't move undetected. And usually cancer is not very fast. For a lesion to get to the size of a dime, it takes 10 years in most cases. There is a reason that people are supposed to get colonoscopies after a certain age. It's 45 now in the US. I'm not saying this to shame your friend. I think that many people underestimate the importance of screenings. Colonoscopies are uncomfortable, unpleas
It doesn't move undetected. And usually cancer is not very fast. For a lesion to get to the size of a dime, it takes 10 years in most cases. There is a reason that people are supposed to get colonoscopies after a certain age. It's 45 now in the US. I'm not saying this to shame your friend. I think that many people underestimate the importance of screenings. Colonoscopies are uncomfortable, unpleasant, embarrassing, and necessary. When did your friend last have a colonoscopy if at all?
I suspect that your friend has had symptoms for YEARS. She just didn't know what those symptoms meant. She may even have told her dr. Unfortunately, the symptoms are vague, non-specific. Constipation, diarrhoea, rectal bleeding, bloating, abdominal pain/cramping. The symptoms can be mistaken for so many different things. So many patients are told to take an...
I'm very sorry for your loss.
Your friend almost certainly had cancer slowly growing in her colon before it spread to her liver, and before she experienced any symptoms.
I lost a dear friend to colon cancer which had spread to her liver before she experienced symptoms. Before she died, she gathered her friends and told us about the importance of getting colonoscopies. You have the option of honoring your friend’s memory by getting a colonoscopy.
Colon cancer starts as a little polyp, which can be easily removed without discomfort during a colonoscopy. Getting a colonoscopy every ten years (or mor
I'm very sorry for your loss.
Your friend almost certainly had cancer slowly growing in her colon before it spread to her liver, and before she experienced any symptoms.
I lost a dear friend to colon cancer which had spread to her liver before she experienced symptoms. Before she died, she gathered her friends and told us about the importance of getting colonoscopies. You have the option of honoring your friend’s memory by getting a colonoscopy.
Colon cancer starts as a little polyp, which can be easily removed without discomfort during a colonoscopy. Getting a colonoscopy every ten years (or more frequently if you tend to develop polyps) can save you from death, and also from needing major surgery like a colonostomy.
I’ve had four or five colonoscopies. Not my favorite way to spend an afternoon, but they’re actually not that bad. And having a colonoscopy sure beats needing to wear a little bag to poop into for the rest of your life, or dying of colon cancer.
I’m very sorry for your loss.
My 31 year old son came home from work a couple of months ago, not feeling well. He said he had “flu like symptoms.” He wasn’t running a fever, but he wasn’t up to par. He had recently moved back home, as he and his roommates had a falling out. He was going to stay with us for a few months until he could find another place he could afford. Since he was 31, we kind of let him do his thing. He was just lethargic, and a bit achy. This was on a Monday.
He stayed out of work on Tuesday and Wednesday. When Thursday came and he still didn’t feel better, he went to Urgent C
I’m very sorry for your loss.
My 31 year old son came home from work a couple of months ago, not feeling well. He said he had “flu like symptoms.” He wasn’t running a fever, but he wasn’t up to par. He had recently moved back home, as he and his roommates had a falling out. He was going to stay with us for a few months until he could find another place he could afford. Since he was 31, we kind of let him do his thing. He was just lethargic, and a bit achy. This was on a Monday.
He stayed out of work on Tuesday and Wednesday. When Thursday came and he still didn’t feel better, he went to Urgent Care. They ran all the tests - COVID, flu, strep, etc. All were negative, so they gave him a steroid shot and prescribed some cough medicine. They couldn’t find anything else wrong. He was feeling much better after the steroids.
Friday morning, he came out to the kitchen and collapsed. My husband was working from home (I was at work) and came into the kitchen to check on our son. He was sitting on the floor, but couldn’t really remember what happened. My husband called 911 to come and check him out, then called me to let me know they were heading to the hospital. The EMTs didn’t think it was anything really serious, either.
When he got to the hospital, they ran blood tests and found his white blood cell count, which should have been around 5,000 - 10,000, was well over 100,000. They did scans and other tests. At some point, they determined that his spleen had ruptured, but resealed. They also decided he probably had a blood cancer. Less than 36 hours later, he was gone.
His cause of death was septic shock, brought on by acute leukemia. The doctors were surprised that he was not in pain from the spleen, but he basically had no symptoms until he was too sick to recover.
My sister was diagnosed at age 40 with Stage IIA colon cancer. Her only symptom prior to diagnosis was constipation, gas and bloating for about 10 days. We thought she just needed some meds to help her go to the bathroom. The Urgent Care did an xray and sent us to the ER. They did a cat scan there and showed an obstruction. A procedure the next day showed complete obstruction by a tumor that they said probably grew very fast. She had none of the other normal signs of colon cancer, like bleeding, pain or weight loss…just 10 days of constipation. She is now 7 years in remission. But, I remind pe
My sister was diagnosed at age 40 with Stage IIA colon cancer. Her only symptom prior to diagnosis was constipation, gas and bloating for about 10 days. We thought she just needed some meds to help her go to the bathroom. The Urgent Care did an xray and sent us to the ER. They did a cat scan there and showed an obstruction. A procedure the next day showed complete obstruction by a tumor that they said probably grew very fast. She had none of the other normal signs of colon cancer, like bleeding, pain or weight loss…just 10 days of constipation. She is now 7 years in remission. But, I remind people that colon cancer is happening more and more in the younger generation. I had two friends die of colon cancer in their early 40’s. One had fought off and on for 4 years. The other only fought for 6 months and was labeled terminal at diagnosis - she started having a bad stomach ache and rectal pain/bleeding for one day…went to the ER and was diagnosed. ANY changes you see in bowel/gastric behavior…go the the doctor and DEMAND testing.
My husband passed away at the age of 52 from the same cause. He always had trouble with spicy foods, acid reflux, and the like, so he didn’t pay any unusual attention to those things. He started to feel tired and out-of-shape shortly after he turned 50, but nothing that wasn’t usual for a 50-year-old man who worked as a computer programmer and never enjoyed exercise.
He never had any terribly unusual or worrisome symptoms at all until about a month before his diagnosis. The fact that any sort of exercise tired him out and caused his pulse/BP to go up dramatically worried me. I was concerned he’
My husband passed away at the age of 52 from the same cause. He always had trouble with spicy foods, acid reflux, and the like, so he didn’t pay any unusual attention to those things. He started to feel tired and out-of-shape shortly after he turned 50, but nothing that wasn’t usual for a 50-year-old man who worked as a computer programmer and never enjoyed exercise.
He never had any terribly unusual or worrisome symptoms at all until about a month before his diagnosis. The fact that any sort of exercise tired him out and caused his pulse/BP to go up dramatically worried me. I was concerned he’d be one of those stressed out, middle-aged men who seemed fine but had a heart attack and died on the way to the mailbox. It took a bit of convincing, but he made an appointment with a cardiologist, who scheduled some tests.
On the day of the test, they did some blood work. He was immediately rushed to the hospital with severe anemia, needing a blood transfusion. A few hours later, it was confirmed—-Stage IV colon cancer that metastasized to the liver.
Even though it wasn’t a discussion doctors ever had with him, I grew up with a mother who was an ER trauma nurse, and had a lifetime of reading medical books “just because”. I knew from his CT scan reports that he likely had a few months. He chose to undergo chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery, which gave him 8 months with us following his diagnosis. During that time, he lost 50 pounds, and appeared to age 25 years. It was not an easy fight.
He had seen his GP over the years leading to his diagnosis, and in a terrible irony, had even had minor surgery to remove a few moles that had potential to be cancerous. Absolutely no one had any inkling something was wrong, until it was so wrong that nothing could possibly be done.
Unfortunately, your friend is far from alone. The traditional symptoms of cancer—-fatigue, bruising, pain, difficulty eating, weight loss, highly elevated white blood cells—aren’t always prominent until the cancer has done too much damage to be reversed. I am so sorry for the loss of your friend. <3
My brother passed away three years ago at the age of 64. He had been experiencing weight loss and believed he had an ulcer, but he postponed seeing a doctor. When he finally did go, he was immediately admitted to the hospital as they suspected colon cancer.
Emergency surgery was performed to remove the colon cancer, but they discovered he also had liver cancer. The doctors proceeded with the colon cancer removal and planned to start radiation and/or chemotherapy once he recovered. Unfortunately, he never regained his strength. His organs began to fail, and he died peacefully at home less than t
My brother passed away three years ago at the age of 64. He had been experiencing weight loss and believed he had an ulcer, but he postponed seeing a doctor. When he finally did go, he was immediately admitted to the hospital as they suspected colon cancer.
Emergency surgery was performed to remove the colon cancer, but they discovered he also had liver cancer. The doctors proceeded with the colon cancer removal and planned to start radiation and/or chemotherapy once he recovered. Unfortunately, he never regained his strength. His organs began to fail, and he died peacefully at home less than two weeks later.
Despite the circumstances, it's a comfort that he didn't appear to suffer much pain. He slept through most of his illness, and when awake, he maintained a positive attitude.
Liver cancer seems to be insidious. What your friend experienced is very similar to the brother of a friend of mine.
He was a little on the heavy side, but not much. Worked out, was healthy, and didn't drink a whole lot.
One day, in his 40s, he was feeling a little under the weather. He thought maybe he was starting to come down with a mild flu, so he went to the doctor.
The doctor saw something he didn't like, and ordered tests.
Stage 4 liver cancer… and my friend's brother was gone within a month of the diagnosis.
Another friend once said the following: “if it hurts, it's not cancer."
I always tho
Liver cancer seems to be insidious. What your friend experienced is very similar to the brother of a friend of mine.
He was a little on the heavy side, but not much. Worked out, was healthy, and didn't drink a whole lot.
One day, in his 40s, he was feeling a little under the weather. He thought maybe he was starting to come down with a mild flu, so he went to the doctor.
The doctor saw something he didn't like, and ordered tests.
Stage 4 liver cancer… and my friend's brother was gone within a month of the diagnosis.
Another friend once said the following: “if it hurts, it's not cancer."
I always thought that sounded a little off, but, I guess I'm the case of your friend and my friend's brother, it was true.
This happened to my mum, 9 years ago this October. She had some aches and pains and thought it was just getting older (she was only 58) but it got worse so went to the Dr and they ran a few tests nothing come back and then it would move somewhere else, she had a liver scan and less then 4 weeks she died. Apparently it was secondary cancer of the liver and then spread to her bones, they never did find out the original source of it. The last week we were told on the Monday she had a few months, the Tuesday it went to a few weeks we asked if she could go home and they arranged it for the Friday t
This happened to my mum, 9 years ago this October. She had some aches and pains and thought it was just getting older (she was only 58) but it got worse so went to the Dr and they ran a few tests nothing come back and then it would move somewhere else, she had a liver scan and less then 4 weeks she died. Apparently it was secondary cancer of the liver and then spread to her bones, they never did find out the original source of it. The last week we were told on the Monday she had a few months, the Tuesday it went to a few weeks we asked if she could go home and they arranged it for the Friday to be released and everything was put in place and Wednesday morning we were told the latest results show it could only be a few days, Wednesday afternoon they told us she might not make it through the night…. We said she needed to come home tomorrow and they all pulled it together and we managed it, Thursday morning they said she could die in the way home. She past away on Saturday Evening.
When we got the news we thought treatment and we can get through it it's changed alot and the success rate is much better now, I have known people in remission and people battling it for years, but never known it to be so quick. A year later my sister's manager had the same 6weeks after diagnosis. My best friend's dad fought for 4yeara with lung cancer and passed away last year.
Cancer can be slow or aggressive, treatable or incurable like us it's individual to everyone.
I was only diagnosed with colon cancer after having covid
A few years ago my poop changed. Dr thought I should try fodmap diet. Whatever.
I got covid in February Cool
Had a cold with an awesome cough in April and again in August.
By this time I was physically and mentally exhausted. I mean. Working full time. Studying full time (4 subjects) and being a mum while stressed about my parents
In August Dr suggested an X-ray to see why I've got this cough. X-ray showed a shadow. Ct showed nodes on my lungs. Pet scan showed something in my colon. Colonoscopy showed cancerous polyps. Surgery determined it
I was only diagnosed with colon cancer after having covid
A few years ago my poop changed. Dr thought I should try fodmap diet. Whatever.
I got covid in February Cool
Had a cold with an awesome cough in April and again in August.
By this time I was physically and mentally exhausted. I mean. Working full time. Studying full time (4 subjects) and being a mum while stressed about my parents
In August Dr suggested an X-ray to see why I've got this cough. X-ray showed a shadow. Ct showed nodes on my lungs. Pet scan showed something in my colon. Colonoscopy showed cancerous polyps. Surgery determined it was stage 2. Was is there when my pooped changed??? No idea.
But yea. Undiagnosed. Could have kept going and going ..,
We all sometimes have a dry cough, suffer from this long-lasting tiredness, or feel a tiny lump. Sometimes the lump does not go away, the tiredness does not wear off, and the cough isn’t going anywhere. And after a while in the waiting room, we final enter the consultation room.
When your family doctor then tells you there is nothing to worry about, be he “still wants to have some more tests carried out,” then who are you to worry, since there is nothing to worry about after all ? You simply go along.
But when the doctor then tells you — after the results have returned and there finally is a fir
We all sometimes have a dry cough, suffer from this long-lasting tiredness, or feel a tiny lump. Sometimes the lump does not go away, the tiredness does not wear off, and the cough isn’t going anywhere. And after a while in the waiting room, we final enter the consultation room.
When your family doctor then tells you there is nothing to worry about, be he “still wants to have some more tests carried out,” then who are you to worry, since there is nothing to worry about after all ? You simply go along.
But when the doctor then tells you — after the results have returned and there finally is a first diagnosis — that you have breast cancer, your world seems to fall apart, “although nothing is lost at all, ma’am.” At least, that is what he tells you, but that’s what he also told you the first time around (and you didn’t forget that one).
He still wants more tests, though. (Did he really ask you if you suffered from back pains as well ? And did you really say you did indeed, since a couple of months ?)
When you are shown the medical MRI images some time later by some other doctor in your own personalized oncology team, you only see a flock of randomized black clouds which seem to be attached to your spine, shoulders and hips. But you don’t understand what it means.
Someone explains to you that the armpit lump was a swollen lymph node, and that the lymph nodes are cancer HUBs — just like your every US airport HUB for your favorite airlines — and that in case of cancer, a swollen HUB can mean that the aircraft has arrived, or that it had traveled beyond the HUB. (You have no idea what he is talking about.)
And that in your case, the plane had traveled past the HUB. The doctor still does not want to take the word “metastasis” in his mouth — but that is exactly what he is HUB-bing about. You are metastasized, and the black random clouds are breast cancer tumors that are invading your bones, and nothing can stop them now, as more and more black clouds will invade your body, until it will shut down.
The cancer has been living for years in your body, growing slowly without the least sign of pain or distress, and when it finally surfaced through a lymph node HUB, it’d already traveled around, and did the damage.
And whatever the good doctors will try to do, the black clouds will push your body into shadows more gloomy than you ever suspected before the stupid HUB lump entered the story of your life. Until nobody sees you anymore through the thick black randomness of stage four cancer.
Because you’re gone.
SOURCES: painting by Kevin Foote.
How indeed! My guy was getting tired a lot. Work we said. He did a lot of manual work, always standing (auto mechanic, with engine specialty).
He started having tummy issues…went to the doctor (Kaiser HMO). Doctor said it was diverticulitis. Eat more fiber. No tests were done. Not even a blood test.
Tummy issues continued. Still really, really tired. Doctor said, eat more fiber. You are not eating e
How indeed! My guy was getting tired a lot. Work we said. He did a lot of manual work, always standing (auto mechanic, with engine specialty).
He started having tummy issues…went to the doctor (Kaiser HMO). Doctor said it was diverticulitis. Eat more fiber. No tests were done. Not even a blood test.
Tummy issues continued. Still really, really tired. Doctor said, eat more fiber. You are not eating enough fiber!
Several months later he started having breathing issues, and he still had tummy pains, so incredibly tired. Same doctor said, adult onset asthma. Eat more fiber. Here is an inhaler. Come back in 2 weeks if you still have breathing issues. Again no tests.
Not even two weeks later his lung collapsed (in the middle of the night, the night before my brother’s funeral…so if you want to know why I wasn’t connecting the dots….but I am not a doctor….but in hindsight I wish I hadn’t be so fragmented between bro, work, and such. But my guy was seen by a doc!! Multiple times!! But shouldn’t I have figured it out?? So how does someone get to be stage 4 without a clue? How indeed, you ask.)
Now at Kaiser ER, barely able to breathe and in intense pain, they ran tests. He needed a blood transfusion, he was so anemic. Why he was so tired. After 2 days the issue was declared as stage 4 colon cancer. Why he had tummy issues. And it had spread to his liver and lungs. Why he had breathing issues and why his lung collapsed from fluid building up against the lungs - pleural effusion. They kicked him saying pallative care was all they could do. Huh? What does pallative even mean?!
We researched. Surely 5+ years he had. But it was found way too late…late stage 4…It wouldn’t be 5 years much less 5 years plus. It was less than 2 years.
He wasn’t 50, so colon cancer wasn’t even a thought of by his medical team. Yet under 50 it had spread from the colon to liver to lungs. They accused him that he must have had family history which he didn’t tell them about. No family history though….Just happened. Not his fault.
Chemo, now lots of tests. A year and a half...
Here’s a true story. My MiL used to come and spend Christmas with us every year. A couple of years ago, she came but complained of stomach pains and went home at the end of the day. By new year she was in hospital and diagnosed with an aggressive form of bowel cancer. She went into a hospice a few days later, where she died. The whole process took 2 weeks.
As others have said, the cancer had probably been present for some time, but she was a stubborn old girl and refused to consult a doctor. When we get to a certain age, we really must get these things checked out.
My dad had a full body scan and checkup in the beginning of March. It came out all clear. 1–2 weeks later he began to itch and turn yellow. He was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer on March 23rd. He passed on May 5th. Less than 2 months since the moment symptoms began. Amazing. He was fully conscious and capable until the final week, though tired and weak. It's a horrible disease. It goes so fast.
My son’s growth slowed down between 4 and 5 years old…by a lot. We were worried that his appetite had decreased and tried to supplement his diet with shakes, smoothies, and calorie dense meals. We brought him to the doctor and shared our concerns. His primary care doctor didn’t seem concerned but agreed to do bone xrays to check for “bone age” the results came back normal and his doc shared everything was normal and that it was not unusual for growth to slow a bit for kids sometimes. No bloodwork done. As the months progressed our son kept getting “colds” punctuated with fevers. We brought him
My son’s growth slowed down between 4 and 5 years old…by a lot. We were worried that his appetite had decreased and tried to supplement his diet with shakes, smoothies, and calorie dense meals. We brought him to the doctor and shared our concerns. His primary care doctor didn’t seem concerned but agreed to do bone xrays to check for “bone age” the results came back normal and his doc shared everything was normal and that it was not unusual for growth to slow a bit for kids sometimes. No bloodwork done. As the months progressed our son kept getting “colds” punctuated with fevers. We brought him to urgent care several times but each time we were sent home. Kids in daycare often got sick this time of year we were told. Probably a virus they said.
Then one day a few hours after coming home from our 3rd or 4th visit to the doctor in 3 weeks, our son said his stomach really really hurt and couldn’t walk. I rushed him to emergency thinking it might be appendicitis. They did an abdominal ultrasound and bloodwork. Our lives forever changed that night. He was diagnosed with very high risk Stage 4 kidney cancer. It had metastasized to his lungs. Why? How was this missed by half a year by so many different providers? It was incomprehensible and every parents worst nightmare. He completed 14 months of chemo, radiation, nephrectomy and lung resection. His 6th birthday, Christmas, Thanksgiving all celebrated in isolation at the hospital because it was the peak of COVID. He did it though and with so much grace and courage. He is 7 and in remission now. He is my hero, my son.
Edit 2/8/22- Thank you all so much for the words of hope and encouragement. After reading some of the comments I wanted to elaborate further on my answer. My son was diagnosed with Diffuse Anaplastic WILMS. At Stage 4 we were told that he had a 49% chance of survival and a 50% chance of relapse with current protocol. After getting additional opinions we moved him onto a phase 3 trial that increased his chances of survival to 60%. We are about a year out of treatment now and with each year his chances of relapse decreases. At 2 years, there is a big drop in risk, and at 5 years he will be considered cured. Please continue to pray for my little guy. He’s fought so hard.
As far as his pediatrician that missed his diagnosis. We don’t feel anger towards him. He followed procedure, but he did not have the curiosity to push further to find out if there was a problem - especially because we returned so many times. Though solid tumors may not always be detected in blood work, I wonder if he would have felt the tumor if he pressed more thoroughly around his abdomen. Our son’s tumor was never visible, but an NP did note that it seemed he was constipated when she pushed down on his abdomen. She was the only one that noticed. We ultimately received exceptional care at Seattle Children’s Hospital. We also learned throughout the process that medicine isn’t only about science and statistics. It is about the individual as a patient, and it takes a truly great doctor or TEAM of doctors to know when to branch off to an individualized plan/path. Medicine is also an art.
Update 3/16/23 - 2 years in remission! We recently went for his 2 year post treatment scans and blood work. His words that morning before we left the house… “I’m going to meet the doctors that saved my life”. He loves his care team. May he continue to live a long, happy, healthy life.
In my case, we knew something was going on, but couldn’t figure out what the issue was. I already had chronic migraines and RA. My physician and his NP had been running tests and looking for a cause for a number of months due to my feeling of “run down and something else is wrong”. In fact, I had seen the physician on Wednesday afternoon. Then Wednesday evening as I was walking the dog I had some pain in the lower right abdoman. Figured it would pass. Went to bed and was woken up at about 4am on Thursday morning in severe pain.
We went to the ED believing I was having an appendix attack. Was se
In my case, we knew something was going on, but couldn’t figure out what the issue was. I already had chronic migraines and RA. My physician and his NP had been running tests and looking for a cause for a number of months due to my feeling of “run down and something else is wrong”. In fact, I had seen the physician on Wednesday afternoon. Then Wednesday evening as I was walking the dog I had some pain in the lower right abdoman. Figured it would pass. Went to bed and was woken up at about 4am on Thursday morning in severe pain.
We went to the ED believing I was having an appendix attack. Was sent for a CT and then the ED physician came into my room and took a seat. Never a good sign.
Instead of the appendix, I had a blockage in my small intestine, caused by what appeared to be a tumor. The radiologist believed it was likely malignant from the appearance on the CT. Oh, and a couple of lesions on the liver, but they didn’t think those were causing pain.
I had emergency surgery a short time later. The surgeon resected the intestines and removed about 12 inches of large intestine, 5 inches of small, the ileocecal valve (the valve between the small and large intestines), and the appendix, plus a bunch of lymph nodes.
The pathology came back a few days later as a rare form of cancer, a nearly 3 cm Neuroendocrine Tumor or Carcinoid Cancer.
Neuroendocrine tumors are unusual, and one of the things they do is make hormones. Just that they make hormones that are slightly “off”. In my case, the tumors actually make Serotonin, and it turned out that I had about 3 times the typical amount of Serotonin in my system. Finally, we had a CAUSE for my concerns!
To say that my physician was surprised was an understatement.
Ultimately, we learned that the cancer had spread to the liver, and that the liver is riddled with small tumors and there is another tumor just off the spine.
I wouldn’t say I was healthy, but in my case, we couldn’t find out the cause.
Responding to A2A.
I am sorry for the loss of your friend.
Sadly, it sounds like CRC, colorectal cancer, which is known for something similar to what happened:
“Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer in men and the second in women worldwide[1]. Approximately 20% of patients present with stage IV disease, and the vast majority (70%-80%) of these patients are incurable. There is no consensus regarding the appropriate management of an asymptomatic or minimally symptomatic primary lesion in these patients. “
A reason that screening is important for peop
Responding to A2A.
I am sorry for the loss of your friend.
Sadly, it sounds like CRC, colorectal cancer, which is known for something similar to what happened:
“Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer in men and the second in women worldwide[1]. Approximately 20% of patients present with stage IV disease, and the vast majority (70%-80%) of these patients are incurable. There is no consensus regarding the appropriate management of an asymptomatic or minimally symptomatic primary lesion in these patients. “
A reason that screening is important for people as many will not notice anything that will make anyone suspect cancer without the screening.
“Signs and symptoms of colon cancer include:
- A persistent change in your bowel habits, including diarrhea or constipation or a change in the consistency of your stool
- Rectal bleeding or blood in your stool
- Persistent abdominal discomfort, such as cramps, gas or pain
- A feeling that your bowel doesn't empty completely
- Weakness or fatigue
- Unexplained weight loss”
So many of those symptoms go with other issues as well though…
Maybe a few of these apply:
“Factors that may increase your risk of colon cancer include:
- Older age. Colon cancer can be diagnosed at any age, but a majority of people with colon cancer are older than 50. The rates of colon cancer in people younger than 50 have been increasing, but doctors aren't sure why.
- African-American race. African-Americans have a greater risk of colon cancer than do people of other races.
- A personal history of colorectal cancer or polyps. If you've already had colon cancer or noncancerous colon polyps, you have a greater risk of colon cancer in the future.
- Inflammatory intestinal conditions. Chronic inflammatory diseases of the colon, such as ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease, can increase your risk of colon cancer.
- Inherited syndromes that increase colon cancer risk. Some gene mutations passed through generations of your family can increase your risk of colon cancer significantly. Only a small percentage of colon cancers are linked to inherited genes. The most common inherited syndromes that increase colon cancer risk are familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) and Lynch syndrome, which is also known as hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC).
- Family history of colon cancer. You're more likely to develop colon cancer if you have a blood relative who has had the disease. If more than one family member has colon cancer or rectal cancer, your risk is even greater.
- Low-fiber, high-fat diet. Colon cancer and rectal cancer may be associated with a typical Western diet, which is low in fiber and high in fat and calories. Research in this area has had mixed results. Some studies have found an increased risk of colon cancer in people who eat diets high in red meat and processed meat.
- A sedentary lifestyle. People who are inactive are more likely to develop colon cancer. Getting regular physical activity may reduce your risk of colon cancer.
- Diabetes. People with diabetes or insulin resistance have an increased risk of colon cancer.
- Obesity. People who are obese have an increased risk of colon cancer and an increased risk of dying of colon cancer when compared with people considered normal weight.
- Smoking. People who smoke may have an increased risk of colon cancer.
- Alcohol. Heavy use of alcohol increases your risk of colon cancer.
- Radiation therapy for cancer. Radiation therapy directed at the abdomen to treat previous cancers increases the risk of colon cancer.”
Part of why I ask people to read this pinned post, because AGAIN we see the importance of insulin/glucose, inflammation issues (gut and D)…
I am glad you had that good vacation with your friend. At least she did not appear to suffer much so had a good quality of life though fatally ill. I don’t know if that is a comforting thought or not because it seems so dreadfully unfair. Sounds like she may have been younger….not something expected at all. I lost a friend to ovarian cancer. When she thought back about it, she had a “bit of bloating.” She was a brilliant physician, married to a physician, and was scrupulous about her OB/GYN checks. She was diagnosed at Stage IV. She fought so hard; surgeries, chemo, so much pain…. Cancer just sucks beyond belief.
I’m so sorry for your loss. I don’t know much about liver cancer, but as a Stage 3(c) colon cancer Thriver, I do know a few things about this disease. Similar to your story, I was on vacation with a friend when she noticed Freckle-like spots on my legs which appeared soon after I gave birth to my son. I explained to her that the doctors suggested I was borderline anemic which was also the case when I gave birth to my first child. When I got home from our vacation, I went to my primary care physician and mentioned the freckles on my legs and my fatigue. He didn’t know about the freckles, but he
I’m so sorry for your loss. I don’t know much about liver cancer, but as a Stage 3(c) colon cancer Thriver, I do know a few things about this disease. Similar to your story, I was on vacation with a friend when she noticed Freckle-like spots on my legs which appeared soon after I gave birth to my son. I explained to her that the doctors suggested I was borderline anemic which was also the case when I gave birth to my first child. When I got home from our vacation, I went to my primary care physician and mentioned the freckles on my legs and my fatigue. He didn’t know about the freckles, but he ordered blood work to follow up on the fatigue. I knew something was seriously wrong when my doctor called several hours after I left his office. I was ordered to pack an overnight bag and travel to 2 hours north to Bethesda’s National Naval Medical Center for an emergency blood transfusion. After several medical procedures, including a colonoscopy that revealed a golfball-sized tumor, I was officially diagnosed with Stage 3(c) colon cancer. Everything seemed to go so quickly, from diagnosis to surgery to chemotherapy.
For the most part, colorectal cancer is slow growing, but like everything else, there are almost always exceptions to the rules. I believe my cancerous tumor was already growing when I was about 18, the first time I was diagnosed with borderline anemia. The doctor did not look further into the root cause of the symptom and simply chalked it up to slight blood loss from menstruation. And that’s the challenge: our current health care system tends to deal with more of the symptoms as opposed to searching for and eradicating the root cause of illnesses and dis-eases.
Toxic environments, including negative people, plus epigenetics and intergenerational trauma, on top of the quality of our soil, most foods, water, toiletries, and the clothing, bedding and towels we use and even that “new car” smell one enjoys when purchasing an automobile, all play a part in the birth of cancer and other medical challenges.
Education is key to not only treating the disease, but to understand and learn how to prevent illnesses and premature deaths. Look into Holistic Wellness and Alternative and Integrative Health and Medicine options for education outside of the traditional allopathic treatments. You may just find a pathway that suits you better today. All the best to you.
TLDR: Cancer sucks, get your normal and scheduled checkups because life is already too short, so don’t let cancer take it away from you prematurely.
I’m so sorry to hear about the passing of your friend. Cancer is anything but fair. When my mother was 59, she started having issues with pain when she sat down, felt like it was in her lower spine area. She was a RN all her life and really enjoyed caring for others. She found her calling in nursing home administration later in her career and really fell in love with the profession, and all of her residents. Each and every resident was loved by my
TLDR: Cancer sucks, get your normal and scheduled checkups because life is already too short, so don’t let cancer take it away from you prematurely.
I’m so sorry to hear about the passing of your friend. Cancer is anything but fair. When my mother was 59, she started having issues with pain when she sat down, felt like it was in her lower spine area. She was a RN all her life and really enjoyed caring for others. She found her calling in nursing home administration later in her career and really fell in love with the profession, and all of her residents. Each and every resident was loved by my mother. She went to a family physician who wasn’t her normal physician as he was off that day, and the physician blamed it on her being overweight. The pain got worse and shortly thereafter her primary physician sent her for MRI. I had taken my mother in for her MRI and I just had a feeling it wasn’t going to have good results. I’ll never forget that phone call from my father when they heard the results. She had pancreatic cancer which had metastasized to her liver and spine. The cancer in her spine blew apart her lumbar spine as the tumors grew, hence the pain. She had her radiation consult and had a treatment or two to try and reduce her discomfort, but anyone who has heard of pancreatic cancer knows that by the time you find out you have it, it is a death sentence. She lasted about 6 weeks from diagnosis to her passing. It was the most painful passing I’ve witnessed firsthand. In the end, her breakthrough pain was so severe, and the doctors wouldn’t give her any more morphine as she’d already had the max dose for that period. She finally took her final breath and although heartbreaking, it was welcomed as it meant she was no longer in pain.
Cancer sucks, it can kick rocks. It affects everyone in some form or another in their lifetime, whether it is watching a family member deal with it or getting diagnosed themselves. I’ve watched my maternal grandfather and my mother both sit in hospital beds and wither away and die from this horrible disease. So now, every little ache and pain I get, my mind immediately goes to, the big C has finally caught up with me. This past fall the doctors were trying to track down the source of my anemia and so went through a colonoscopy and endoscopy many years before my first recommended check. I worried for weeks leading up to the procedure. I was beyond thrilled to find out the GI doctor doesn’t want to see me for 10 years unless something changes, so if nothing else, I have a clean colon. I know my day will come sooner or later, whether it is cancer or not. At 33, I had lost all of my grandparents and both of my parents, so my own mortality has been on my mind since a fairly young age. I have friends at 42 who still have both grandparents and parents, so it is hard to not get a bit jealous of the extra time they get to spend with their family.
Make sure you make time for your loved ones. A swift death doesn’t necessarily mean a heart attack or trauma, cancer is very capable of taking a life expeditiously. Don’t skip your scheduled doctor checkups, colonoscopies, mammograms, pap smears, prostate exams, etc. Even though it can be scary to think about what the results could be, that extra bit of advanced warning might be enough to mean the difference between life and death, and life is already too short.
My mother died December 20 2023 from colon cancer that had spread to her liver, bladder, and stomach. Her diagnosis was on December 12th. She had been working full time until a week before, when she was sent home from work at a hospital ER. She had lost weight, but she had convinced herself it was from COVID, since she lost her sense of taste and smell when she got COVID and nothing she ate appealed to her any more. Cancer can be quick, slow or any where in between. My mother would not have wanted any aggressive treatments, since she saw the effects they had on a person's day to day life. The
My mother died December 20 2023 from colon cancer that had spread to her liver, bladder, and stomach. Her diagnosis was on December 12th. She had been working full time until a week before, when she was sent home from work at a hospital ER. She had lost weight, but she had convinced herself it was from COVID, since she lost her sense of taste and smell when she got COVID and nothing she ate appealed to her any more. Cancer can be quick, slow or any where in between. My mother would not have wanted any aggressive treatments, since she saw the effects they had on a person's day to day life. The fact is, we are all going to die. Many cancer treatments prolong the inevitable, and at a cost to the patient financially, emotionally and physically.
My condolences to you on the loss of your friend.
Unfortunately it doesn't always take much cancer to kill. My husband was diagnosed with stage 4 liver cancer quite by accident as a result of a routine scan for something else. It was quite large and had spread to his lung. He had no symptoms. But that wasn't what killed him swiftly. What killed him within 20 days of it being found was the tumour thrombus (a clot of cancer cells) that had formed within his heart and which was stopping it from working properly. That again was found almost accidentally. At an outpatient appointment to discuss his
My condolences to you on the loss of your friend.
Unfortunately it doesn't always take much cancer to kill. My husband was diagnosed with stage 4 liver cancer quite by accident as a result of a routine scan for something else. It was quite large and had spread to his lung. He had no symptoms. But that wasn't what killed him swiftly. What killed him within 20 days of it being found was the tumour thrombus (a clot of cancer cells) that had formed within his heart and which was stopping it from working properly. That again was found almost accidentally. At an outpatient appointment to discuss his forthcoming treatment, a very experienced nurse looked at him closely then put him in a wheelchair and took him straight to resuscitation - his blood oxygen levels were around 70%. Dangerously low. Yet his hands and feet were warm and stayed that way until the day before he died. I don't know what she saw in his face that made her pay attention but if she hadn't done so, he might very well have died before the 20 days - he was kept alive that long with high flow oxygen. So in the end, it wasn't the big obvious tumours that killed him but the one tiny but crucially badly placed one. Something similar might have happened to your friend. My consolation is that his suffering was minimal and not prolonged. I hope you can find some consolation too.
My sister died 11 days after her 44th birthday. All she had was indigestion. All symptoms were like gallbladder. When they did a scan, tumors were found in her liver, pancreas, 14 bones, breast, bladder. That was March 12th. Later, one of the tumors in the liver was the size of full term twins. They pushed up & crushed her lungs. The tumors also broke her femur, near the hip joint. She was in constant horrendous pain the last three weeks. She passed Aug 16th, 5.5 months from diagnosis. It was pancreatic cancer. They call it the silent killer. Usually by the time u find it, it's stage 4. Her ca
My sister died 11 days after her 44th birthday. All she had was indigestion. All symptoms were like gallbladder. When they did a scan, tumors were found in her liver, pancreas, 14 bones, breast, bladder. That was March 12th. Later, one of the tumors in the liver was the size of full term twins. They pushed up & crushed her lungs. The tumors also broke her femur, near the hip joint. She was in constant horrendous pain the last three weeks. She passed Aug 16th, 5.5 months from diagnosis. It was pancreatic cancer. They call it the silent killer. Usually by the time u find it, it's stage 4. Her cancer & horrendous pain makes u question God. How does he allow someone to suffer so bad. She was on hospice, they kept her pain in check. But when her femur broke, she was hospitalized, on highest dose allowed of morphine, but still screaming in pain. If your friend went quick of cancer, consider it a blessing. God bless u both.
I have known two people who got a gut cancer diagnosis and died in about two weeks, but others it went on for months or years. The key seems to understand is in what direction it has spread. For example a tumour that grows into the bowel generally obstructs it, causing a hospital visit where they will identify it, and hopefully just cut out a short section of the gut, stitch it together, give you some radiotherapy, and you’re a survivor.
The bad ones are those that grow through the gut wall and spread within the cavity of the abdomen The cancer spreads without any outside effects, until it is a
I have known two people who got a gut cancer diagnosis and died in about two weeks, but others it went on for months or years. The key seems to understand is in what direction it has spread. For example a tumour that grows into the bowel generally obstructs it, causing a hospital visit where they will identify it, and hopefully just cut out a short section of the gut, stitch it together, give you some radiotherapy, and you’re a survivor.
The bad ones are those that grow through the gut wall and spread within the cavity of the abdomen The cancer spreads without any outside effects, until it is all over many organs and filling the space in between. Only when there is so much of it that it is crushing other structures do you get pain. When they scan you or open you up, they know there is no hope for you.
One good friend was actually at the airport to go on holiday when she got violent got pain. She never travelled but went to hospital. When they opened her up, they told her you have a very short time to live because there’s more cancer than anything else in your body. Yet she had no forewarning of all this except maybe a little bit of indigestion. Tragic for her and her family.
My cousin, a very healthy airline pilot just 62, had back pain while on vacation. When he returned home the following week, he went to the doc, who sent him for a scan. They discovered gallbladder cancer, spreading rapidly. They put him in the hospital and started chemo immediately, but he died two weeks later. Super sad; he had three daughters just out of college and a fiancé he married in the hospital. We are all devastated.
My neighbor had liver cancer about 15 years ago. She was in a horrible car accident and wound up with some type of back injury which required x-rays and MRI.
She was discovered at stage two. She had a massive surgery and lots of chemo and radiation.
Her doctor told her that normally liver cancer is undetected in most people until stage 4. She'd had no signs of anything wrong and was told that was typical.
It may not, or it may I'm not a medical person or researcher, grow that quickly. It may be that it remains undetected until the very end.
My foster mother died at the age of 68 from pancreatic cancer. She lived less than a week from the date of diagnosis. She was very overweight and had started losing weight without any change in diet or exercise. Her primary care physician what is congratulating her on her weight loss rather than investigating the cause. She took a trip to New York because she had a feeling in her heart that she wanted to visit her childhood stomping grounds. While in New York with family, she was experiencing severe back pain, which she thought was a tribute it to her weight and all of the exercise she was get
My foster mother died at the age of 68 from pancreatic cancer. She lived less than a week from the date of diagnosis. She was very overweight and had started losing weight without any change in diet or exercise. Her primary care physician what is congratulating her on her weight loss rather than investigating the cause. She took a trip to New York because she had a feeling in her heart that she wanted to visit her childhood stomping grounds. While in New York with family, she was experiencing severe back pain, which she thought was a tribute it to her weight and all of the exercise she was getting by visiting these old places. The pain in her back became so severe that she went to the hospital upon her return home a day later. The doctors informed us that she had stage four pancreatic cancer and gave her six months. She started chemo the next morning, and sadly, by that night was suffering tremendously from the treatment. By the next morning she was gone.
Some cancer like melanoma is also quick. I see mole on my right arm and after I take it out. The result is positive. Life is short and any thing can happen. People plan but, God can change your roads. Enjoy your life without complications and hurt other people life. No matter rich or poor all of us just people.
Thanks
My brother went to the hospital with a pain in his leg and found out it was a blood t and had stage 4 pancreatic cancer a nd died shortly after. 8 years later my mom had a stroke and ended up in the hospital. They found 3 masses in her brain that turned out to be glioblastoma, the most aggressive brain cancer. She died within 2 weeks. We had no clue it was going to happen even though she did have other health issues.
It shows you how some kinds of cancer don’t cause any symptoms til very, very late.
The most insidious ones are lung and pancreatic cancer, bowel cancer so late is rare, bad luck, since more than 50% of colon cancer patients are cured.
I'm not sure, but am very sorry for your loss. Just a tip to anyone (like me) who doesn't have health insurance, my dad died of leukemia. Diagnosed at stage 4. He loved coffee his entire life, and after he was diagnosed, in hindsight he told me, that the day coffee didn't taste good to him anymore was the red flag that should have sent him right to the doctor.
Sometimes the only clue that your body gives you can be as simple as that: not enjoying your morning cup(s) of Java for the first time after drinking and enjoying it for 50+ years straight, day after day, and even old truck stop coffee.
I'
I'm not sure, but am very sorry for your loss. Just a tip to anyone (like me) who doesn't have health insurance, my dad died of leukemia. Diagnosed at stage 4. He loved coffee his entire life, and after he was diagnosed, in hindsight he told me, that the day coffee didn't taste good to him anymore was the red flag that should have sent him right to the doctor.
Sometimes the only clue that your body gives you can be as simple as that: not enjoying your morning cup(s) of Java for the first time after drinking and enjoying it for 50+ years straight, day after day, and even old truck stop coffee.
I'm sure he would have felt silly going to the doctor bc he stopped liking coffee, but in retrospect he should have been more concerned and jumped on his only recognized Symptom.
A good friend of mine has pancreatic cancer. His symptoms were sudden, non stop vomiting, and then vomiting blood. For lung cancer, it can be a cough that never goes away.
It's bad enough that we Americans don't have health insurance, but we were also raised in a culture (especially men) where we were taught to not complain, not be a sissy, put on your big boy or girl britches and keep pushing forward.
I recommend getting body scans if u can afford them, and want to find out if you have cancer before it hits stage one and has any symptoms.
Back in the late 1970’s my grandmother was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. She lived 6 weeks from the date of diagnosis. It seems diagnosis and treatment of this particular cancer has not progressed at all. Cancers of the digestive organs progress quickly. A routine colonoscopy can help with early prediction of colon cancer but not others.
Colon and Rectal cancers grow with no symptoms often. That’s why it’s SO important to get routine Colonoscopies after age 45! Every 3-5 years! They’ll put you under mild anesthesia and you won’t even remember it. You’ll have a tube shoved up your but with a camera on it. Fun times right? A lot more tolerable than the colon and rectal cancers—SERIOUSLY! So you prep for it by drinking a ridiculous amount of stuff that CLEANS YOU OUT and makes your insides easy to see the polyps and adenomas. Take it seriously. Do it right. Do it regularly.
sorry for your loss. Cancer sucks. a high school classmate was diagnosed with a fatal cancer mere days after graduation and was gone a month later.
we never know when the grim reaper is going to knock on our door. a coworker of mine (while i was still air force) called in on a friday afternoon to say he would not be in over the weekend. He was the officer on duty that weekend (weekend duty, we were
sorry for your loss. Cancer sucks. a high school classmate was diagnosed with a fatal cancer mere days after graduation and was gone a month later.
we never know when the grim reaper is going to knock on our door. a coworker of mine (while i was still air force) called in on a friday afternoon to say he would not be in over the weekend. He was the officer on duty that weekend (weekend duty, we were a 24/7 operations center). He sounded like shit.
i remember saying “God Chris! You sound like death! some people will do anything to get out of weekend duty! seriously dude, i have you covered this weekend, you go see a doctor for Christ’s sake. yo...
I had the same thing. In my case, God and a great team were on my side. But to answer your question, colon cancer symptoms are often attributed to other conditions such as IBS. My Doctors said my only mistake was not going for my colonoscopies so they could catch it while they were still polyps.
I have Stage 4 Cholangiocarcinoma…I did not find out until it was stage 4. Since it build in the bile ducts, and the live has no nerves. I had a stabbing pain one day. Because, my liver had a tumor the size of a grapefruit. By the time they thought a resection was possible. It had spread to my peritoneum. I have been lucky, that I found it maybe a smidgen sooner, which gave me a shot with chemo. My first chemo stopped working, I'm on a second one now. Options are limited, because it's so rare. Minimal treatments, and I wouldn't be surprised if is diagnosed properly. The hospital that found it
I have Stage 4 Cholangiocarcinoma…I did not find out until it was stage 4. Since it build in the bile ducts, and the live has no nerves. I had a stabbing pain one day. Because, my liver had a tumor the size of a grapefruit. By the time they thought a resection was possible. It had spread to my peritoneum. I have been lucky, that I found it maybe a smidgen sooner, which gave me a shot with chemo. My first chemo stopped working, I'm on a second one now. Options are limited, because it's so rare. Minimal treatments, and I wouldn't be surprised if is diagnosed properly. The hospital that found it told me I had fatty liver. They were sooooo wrong.
I'm so sorry for your loss. Some aggressive cancers, like certain forms of liver or colon cancer, can spread rapidly and remain undetected until late stages. Symptoms like indigestion may seem minor but can mask advanced disease, especially if metastasis to the liver or other organs occurs silently.
She didn’t die ‘’that quickly’’. Just because she found out about the cancer five weeks before her death does NOT mean she only had it for five weeks. Many cancers are asymptomatic for a long time before they are diagnosed. Sometimes for years. Your friend only had indigestion a few weeks before her death, but the cancer could have been working away at her for a long time, without her noticing anything, or with minor symptoms (occasional bloating, stomach cramps, stuff we all get and often disregard).
I’m sorry for your loss. Take comfort in the fact that she did not suffer for long.
I am no expert, but there are a number of cancers that are very fast developing - or at least develop undetected until they are so advanced that they cause symptoms. I think colon/liver cancers are among those. (And the reason people have periodic colonoscopies - to detect early polyps before they develop into cancers which can then metastasize to other organs.) A good friend of mine just lost his wife - an otherwise very healthy active woman - to liver cancer. Even with aggressive treatment, she only lived maybe six months after diagnosis.
One of the reasons glioblastoma brain tumors are so de
I am no expert, but there are a number of cancers that are very fast developing - or at least develop undetected until they are so advanced that they cause symptoms. I think colon/liver cancers are among those. (And the reason people have periodic colonoscopies - to detect early polyps before they develop into cancers which can then metastasize to other organs.) A good friend of mine just lost his wife - an otherwise very healthy active woman - to liver cancer. Even with aggressive treatment, she only lived maybe six months after diagnosis.
One of the reasons glioblastoma brain tumors are so devastating is that not only do they grow very quickly, but depending on their location can grow asymptomatically until they either cause seizures or impact some vital neural function. I lost my wife (a dozen years ago) to a GBM, her first symptom was episodic difficulty retrieving words she wanted to use - not unlike what happens to all of us occasionally. By then, the tumor was the size of a golf ball. She was told she might have three months if left untreated.
Hi there
I think I can understand a bit of how you are feeling?
My dad got a check up on a mole, it was cancer, and then the follow up check they did revealed cancer in his pancreas and liver. He passed away three weeks after this diagnosis and has left a huge hole in my life. I am grateful at least that I got to say goodbye. He was very healthy and hiked around the country often.
I miss him so much and I really feel for you.
I’m so sorry for the loss of your friend. My husband died 9 years ago from Stage IV kidney cancer. His only symptom was a pain in his right side upon waking (that would last about 5 minutes, then be gone for the day), and it started about 10 days before he was diagnosed. He also had lost some weight, but at the time he was trying to lose weight. He was diagnosed and had surgery to remove the kidney, at which time he was given 4 months to live (without treatment). He was all but promised 2 years if he underwent chemo. He had 2 chemo treatments total, and died 5 weeks to the day of his first tre
I’m so sorry for the loss of your friend. My husband died 9 years ago from Stage IV kidney cancer. His only symptom was a pain in his right side upon waking (that would last about 5 minutes, then be gone for the day), and it started about 10 days before he was diagnosed. He also had lost some weight, but at the time he was trying to lose weight. He was diagnosed and had surgery to remove the kidney, at which time he was given 4 months to live (without treatment). He was all but promised 2 years if he underwent chemo. He had 2 chemo treatments total, and died 5 weeks to the day of his first treatment. For him, it was more the chemo that killed him than it was the cancer (even his oncologist apologized afterwards, stating that he likely should not have undergone chemo). He still would have died, but his quality of life certainly would have been far better without it. His surgeon also told me, after his death, that he likely had the tumor on his kidney for 4–5 years.
A very similar thing happened to my father in 2005. He had lung cancer, and only found out when he went in for a cough that wouldn’t seem to go away. He was fine until chemo started; he died roughly 3 months later. He also would have died without treatment, but once again his quality of life certainly would have been far better with no treatment.
Given these two cases, I have specifically stated in my Living Will that under no circumstances am I ever to be given chemo and/or radiation. My feeling is that if I’m terminal anyway, I would much rather have some quality of life in my last months/weeks/days. The ONLY treatment I would consent to if I was given a diagnosis of cancer is medical marijuana. It been proven to kill cancer cells, and unlike chemotherapy, it leaves healthy cells alone (many people do not know this, but chemo does not just kill cancer cells… it kills everything in it’s path). No thanks… just my personal preference.