Does anybody have experiences with gallbladder and colon cancer with the elderly?
It is not sure which cancer is the original source. My mother had experienced pain for 2 weeks(beginning of July), We went to see her primary doctor who thought it might be diverticulitus(she already had been diagnosed with diverticulosis). She was prescribed medication but after 3 days, she was still experiencing abdominal pain so we had a cat scan done of her stomach. Her doctor called me and told me it was cancer and we should consider pallitive care/hospice. My sisters and I met with her and she explained the catscan indicated gall bladder/colon cancer. We did a blood test which indicated she had extremely high Alt/Ash levels. It did not indicate which was the original source of the cancer. She recommended us seeing a gastroentologist for a 2nd opinion. 4 days later we went to see him and he showed us the picture of the catscan. There is a huge tumor in the gallbladder which has invaded into the colon. My mother has not had a bowel movement for the past week so we are thinking there might be some blockage. She has gotten sick a few times and feels much better after but I am concerned there are no bowel movements. We have used Miralax and stool softeners but think is a sign of a bigger problem. We are going to see the onocologist that we had worked with for my father two years ago. An;y suggestions for me or questions I should ask the onocologist or other treatments I should look into? I become very frustrated when doctors look at her age and automatically assume it is a death sentence. All treatments should be presented so that is why I want to hear from anyone about their experiences or suggestions with this cancer.
I'm so sorry that your family is going through this.