Help!!! Docs only please!!! How long left for him?

My father-in-law has prostate cancer and his psa is now 53. The doctors said the chemo is not working anymore and have just given him pain killers. He has 12 tumors in his spine and bone cancer. He gets bone infusions to keep the spine from cracking. He won't stop working, cannot drive, and now has sleep apnea too. He has fallen 3 times in the last month and couldn't get up. My question is how long (estimate) does he have left now? Will he just go in his sleep or is this going to be a long road of suffering?

Help!!! Docs only please!!! How long left for him?
As a doctor, we advise that patients and relatives that they will have 6 months to live. It is just a poor estimate and depends on the individual,his genetics and his will to live. Medical professionals are not GODS and cant really determine when someone will die, all we can do is estimate. Some defy the odds and some dont.





I think you should focus on his quality of life and make him as comfortable as possible while maintaining his dignity as an elder and do not treat him as a child/invalid.





Remember he is not dead yet, do not miss him or disrespect him. Even though he may be dying, he is still a human being who needs love, attention, food etc





Sorry to hear about his condition.
Reply:I'm not a doctor, but there are signs. He might start picking at his clothing as if there is imaginary lint there, get a feeling of water on his skin, talks to you about someone from the past as if it was now. I know this because my mom passed of breast cancer, and the hospice people gave us a flyer with the signs. There is really no one that can tell you how long. Only God knows. From experience they all say 3-6 months. I think they get that time frame from a manual! Just spend, and love as much as you can.


God Bless, and Good Luck.
Reply:First, I am not a physician, but I have had several patients who have had cancer. The answer to your question is it is really anybody's guess. The important thing to remeber is that he needs to be doing things that he really enjoys and for you to support his decisions. It is his life. Let him enjoy every moment that he has and when the time comes he grow weak gradually at first and then it seem that all of a sudden he lost the capacity to do anything. When this happens, you need to tell him that you will be alright when he passes. He did a great job raising you and making able to take care of yourself.
Reply:You should call his doctor but he will most like tell you he doesn't know only give you a estimate. We are all individuals, there are people who have had two or more different cancers and lived a long time.
Reply:my dad suffered from cancer, he lasted 3 months
Reply:Add me in MSN NOW!!!!! enigmasam@gmail.com


I have a remedy to what you're looking for. Are you in Singapore?
Reply:im not a doctor but i watched my grandad die of cancer he found out just before christmas and he died in may so we had 5 months hope this helps

wallflower