What to expect

LyndaP

My brother had hep c which has created this live cancer. We have only known for a week. I am finding it very difficult to cope with the thought of losing my brother. Please provide any emotional support you can, perhaps just relay your experience or whatever is comfortable. I need all the emotional support and practical information I can get. Thank you in advance. Lynda P>

MyLungCancer

Sorry for his diagnosis. First, don't assume that you will be losing anyone. A cancer diagnosis, even a late-stage diagnosis doesn't mean it's a death sentence. I have been diagnosed 4 times, with 5 different types of cancer, still here killing it. What is his exact diagnosis? Stage, the treatment plan, if there is one yet. Don't be discouraged by how slow things crawl at this stage. From the time of initial diagnosis until I had any treatment for my last/current diagnosis was 3 months.
There are lots of people here willing to help with information, just fill in the details. We wish your brother the best.

Bengal

So sorry to learn about your brother's diagnosis. It is never easy to absorb those words "you have cancer". You said it's only been a week. In the coming weeks you should be getting alot more information. A diagnosis doesn't have to be a death sentence. There is so much that can be done these days. Hopefully there will be some one here on WhatNext who has experience with liver cancer who is better able to answer your questions and give you reassurance.

Teachertina

The beginning is the scariest part! You’re going to need answers and they will come, just not as fast as you would like. There will be more tests, scans, etc to give the doctors the best info to begin planning the best possible treatment. When there’s a plan in place it’s easier to fight the battle. You have to know the enemy and have a strategic approach to win. Try to help your brother think positive things about getting this war won , one battle at a time. I’ve had 3 rounds in the ring and I haven’t lost yet, 14 years from first diagnosis. Get some answers and don’t give up! Keep us posted here! Great support right at your fingertips!

RockTom

I hope your brother is doing well through this so far. As someone else said, it's a slow process, so don't get discouraged at the slow pace.

GregP_WN

I have had 4 diagnoses myself. It is a terribly slow process, so what the others have said is spot on. Also, the part about a diagnosis not being a death sentence is true also. I hope your whole family is getting through this as best as can be.

LiveWithCancer

I too am sorry to hear that your brother has been diagnosed with cancer. I am glad he has such a loving, caring sister, though! That's awesome that you care so much.

I was diagnosed in 2012 with stage IV lung cancer. I was given 4 months to live. Here I am, still living life to the fullest! I expected to die long ago, but I believe that God is the one who is in control of my life expectancy - not cancer, not doctors, not drugs. (With that said, He allowed me to get into a clinical trial for immunotherapy and my body responded very well to that treatment)

I don't know what treatment plan your brother will have, but I always find it encouraging to remember that the liver is the one organ we have that can have parts of it cut out and it will regenerate itself. I have a friend who just had a spot discovered on her liver ... CT scan tomorrow to try to determine more about that spot ... and I'm holding onto the hope that if necessary, it can be cut out and her liver will restore itself...

Good luck to you and your brother! Thank you for caring for him so much.

andreacha

LyndaP - I'm sorry about your brother's diagnosis. Like the others have said, Cancer is not necessarily a death sentence. I was diagnosed Stage IV kidney cancer (Renal Cell Carcinoma) which had metastasized to my heart. That was in 2006. And I'm still here to say a prayer for your brother. Blessings.

BuckeyeShelby

As others have said, even a stage IV diagnosis is not the death sentence it was even 15 years ago. I was diagnosed with stage IV endometrial cancer in 2012. Currently cancer free. It will get easier once that treatment plan is in place -- at least it was for me.