Any advice and experience on Internal bleeding/blood transfusions in advanced cancer

[justonemorethread]

Hello
I'm wondering if anyone can share any information on this. My mum is late stage cancer (stomach/oesophagus). She stopped chemo 2 months ago and they have stopped treatment now (chemo would do more harm than good now).

She was hoping to be well for a little bit longer now, however she has needed regular blood transfusions due to anemia.

it seems these could be due to an internal bleed, she had 2 units of blood yesterday and having to have another on friday to consolidate, apparently.

Is this a sign that the bleeding is unmanageable?

She is scheduled for an endoscopy on Monday if (she regains her strength). Apparently if it is small they can put a stop gap for the bleeding.

Until now she has regained a bit of strength after her transfusion, but this is now the second one in two weeks, she's never needed them so close together.

My dad tells me not to rush over now (I live abroad) and that apart from this the doctors have said her general condition is stable.

Part of me wants to believe this, but it seems to good to be true that they can just so easily stop an internal bleed in someone is such frail conditions?

Does anyone have experience of this? It would take me 2 or 3 days to get home, so I really want to understand this better so I know what to do….

[justonemorethread]

Thank you...

[justonemorethread]

… and bump!!!

[justonemorethread]

One more try... Anyone?

[justonemorethread]

Yes. Thank you! I know what you say is true, but it's funny how when it happens to you you always think somehow you will be the exception to the rule!

[Twodogsandahooch]

The bleeding alone doesn't necessarily mean the end is imminent, but as a PP said advanced cancer is unpredictable.

There are things that can be done to try to stop the bleeding. The endoscopy will be useful as it may help identify the source of the bleed. If it is coming from one spot - they may be able to try inject the bleeding vessel. If the tumour is oozing blood from more than one spot this is more difficult.

Have they considered radiotherapy? Radiotherapy can be very effective at stopping bleeding. One treatment might be enough to do this, and so even if she is frail this may be an option for her.

In some cases the bleeding continues despite these (and other measures) and the patient needs regular transfusions until the end. Sometimes the bleeding just settles down by itself.

So sorry that you are all going through this. It must be tough being overseas.

[justonemorethread]

Thank you twodogs.
They are doing endoscopy because the tac ( is it called cat in England? ) scan ( tomography with barium anyway) didn't show any bleeding, I'm mot sure if it would show on that if it was the tumor bleeding?
In fact the scan showed that the cancer had not changed too much so we were hoping for a short, stable period now, even though they are stopping the chemo. ( she has chemo on and off for 18 months so her body can't take anymore).
No one mentioned radiotherapy yet

[whatisforteamum]

Hi Op my Dad who also stopped chemo 2 months ago was given radiotherapy for his bleed.He also developed an infection this weekend and though i live nearby things do change day for day as i was told by the hospice nurse Dad didnt need her much yet on the thur before.the infection is on the turn now.
Advanced cancer is so unpredictable mum has had longer than expected and dad is living his last weeks/months.I cant imagine how hard it must be to live abroad.look after yourself x

[justonemorethread]

Thanks whatis sorry about your mum and dad. They found a blockage in her stomach and apparently the main concern now is draining and emptying her stomach. The bleeding seems to be secondary to this problem now.
I don't know , second hand information is too confusing sometimes! It is hard being abroad but also gives z feeling of detachment somehow.

[whatisforteamum]

hope it all goes well ,being so close I live in the same town it feels like I am living it with them when I had a weekend away I could literally put a kind of barrier up though I phoned to find out how thing are.