Brother-in-law just diagnosed with two different cancers

fishgutzy

fishgutzy

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Updating Based on new, more complete info. Saint Elizabeth's did find the cancer. However, Ines didn't tell anyone until after he went back to PR.
One if my wife's brothers, was admitted for symptoms related to anemia. Red cell count so low he required immediate transfusions. They ran a few tests but apparently didn't actually do any tests that would find the cause.
Transfusions seemed to stabilize him. He was released. Medicare rules may have limited the options available for testing.
He went back to PR. Very soon he was back in the hospital again.
Large malignant tumors in his stomach and lungs.
Prognosis is not good. Doctors said they are two different cancers. They can only treat one at a time. He is in his 70's.
There is a history of multiple cancers in NY wife's family. Stomach and breast cancer among them.
I met this man in 1996. He took me fishing in PR. A little skiff with a 25hp outboard. Two times we went out on it.
The first time we were in rolling 5 for swells. Puked my guts out.
Second time was a dead flat sea night. We were out all night.
Love this man like an older brother despite him not speaking English and I don't speak Spanish.
Still holding out hope. But Lung cancer has a nearly 100% mortality rate.
Stomach cancer is what took their maternal grandmother at the age of 96.


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Prayers up.
 
BIL is home resting and waiting for next steps.
The mass in his stomach was 7cm at last measurement. Masses in both lungs.
family history of breast, colon, and stomach cancer on my wife's side beyond just my BIL.
 
Prayers sent. Hold on to your hopes, sometimes things do change for the better.
 
So far they haven't been able to start chemo because his blood pressure was >200/>100. Wicked high. They were going to put in the permanent feed.
Only talk is about prolonging his life a bit. But the was expected as soon as he was diagnosed.
My guess is that St. E's Boston knew this when they discharged him. They didn't want to eat the cost. Or take the hit on their cure rating.
Maybe someone who works at a hospital would know how wide spread this is.

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Got an update from the family.
It seems that my BIL was told of the diagnosis at St. E's. He just didn't want to tell anyone in the family yet. That would explain why he left to go back to PR so quickly after he got out of St. E'S.
He has been in and out of the hospital for blood transfusion. His hemoglobin was down to 3! Normal is in the 30's.
They can't start chemo to slow the cancer until his hemoglobin stabilizes.
Prognosis is still terminal. But he isn't saying how much time they estimate he has.

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Sandman_NC said:
Not sure how good the hospital there is but tell him to check this place out.

https://www.cancercenter.com/locations/atlanta
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No treatment will extend his life much.
Very aggressive and metastasized.
Just found out it has spread to his pancreas.
St. Elizabeth's probably told him that it was terminal but he just didn't want to tell the family.
He is 76.

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Very sad for this man most of all. Mentally he is suffering as well with the thought of passing. The cancer and pain of the heart is difficult to watch. Comfort your wife most of all as she deals with a brother suffering. Best wishes to all in the journey.
 
Ines is still kicking ass and taking names.
Finished a round of chemo.
He's up and about. Not full strength but better than he was.
Truly amazing given the multiple metastatic cancers.
Every day is a blessing.

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fishgutzy said:
Ines is still kicking ass and taking names.
Finished a round of chemo.
He's up and about. Not full strength but better than he was.
Truly amazing given the multiple metastatic cancers.
Every day is a blessing.

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I'm sure all of us will keep the prayers and good thought coming!
 
Hard to believe. But he is still fighting the good fight. Last reports were that he is still responding to chemo. He is not yet strong enough to take care of his wife though. While the cancer treatment was going, his wife had a serious stroke that left her unable to walk or even lift herself in bed. She also has Alzheimer's and no longer remembers her own children.
 
@fishgutzy glad your BIL is doing well. Cancer treatment can be a debilitating for some, while for others they're still able to carry on a mostly normal routine.
Very sorry to hear about his wife. That really sucks.
 
noway2 said:
@fishgutzy glad your BIL is doing well. Cancer treatment can be a debilitating for some, while for others they're still able to carry on a mostly normal routine.
Very sorry to hear about his wife. That really sucks.
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Sure does. One of his sons moved back to take care of them. The daughter that lives closest works to support everyone. Everyone is helping.
 
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