My father has colon cancer that has matastisized to other areas including his bones. How much time does he hav

the doctor told him that he can not recieve treatments anymore. Theyve done all that they can. They did not give him a time limit . I think he is afraid to ask. But what happens now? What will he have to endure before he passes away and how much time do we have with him before it gets too bad ? He is still talking and walking around . He was even driving his tractor the other day. He is very sick all the time though. He throws up alot and is of course week and frail. He is a strong man though and he pushes himself very hard. So this is where he is at at this point. What does he have in store for him now and how much longer ?

There's no way of knowing how much longer he has. I'm a strong advocate for hospice care and would suggest your family look into it. Hospice is based on caring for the patient and their family who are facing a terminal illness. There are hospice nurses that can come to your home and take care of your father, making his passing the most comfortable possible. They can give meds, advocate for individualized care, and will be able to help your family cope with what is happening. They are a great resource to help the family along the way. There are also hospice units should the patient choose to remain in a "hospital environment" to the end.

There are so many doctors that do not promote hospice care - perhaps because it makes some doctors feel defeated. However, the sooner that hospice is started, the easier it is for the patient and family. Now is the time to make a decision on how your father wants to spend the time he has left. If he's pushing himself too hard, its possible that he may be in denial of what is happening (or he may be afraid to face what the future is bringing). Alot of people are scared of dying, but the process can be made easier by confronting reality. When I die I want a "good death", and I wouldn't hesitate to bring hospice into the picture for myself or my loved ones.

Sorry if this seems cold, but after seeing the wonderful things that hospice can do, I'd be a fool by not recommending them. They can help your father spend his last days at home, with your family by his side. They can help expain what is physically happening, so your family isn't scared.

I am sorry for what you are facing, and I wish you and your father the best.

My father was diagnosed with metastatic prostate cancer that had spread to his bones in May of 2000. At that time he was given 6 months to 6 years. In Sept. of 2007 we received pretty much the same news you did. Sadly, my father passed away on Jan 4th, 2008. Like the other answerers, I encourage you to contact Hospice sooner than later. They can help your father live out his remaining time, however long it may be, as pain free as possible.

im sorry for this issue, but my friends dad had the same thing drs gave him a mth.. he lived 3 weeks.
sorry

Yes, many patients who are considered terminal still get up every day and go about their lives . . . some will be active right up until the day they die. Which is wonderful .. so enjoy your father right now and live in the moment . . focus on the fact that he is here today and don't worry about what might happen. No one knows how long someone can live with cancer .. at most the doctors give a guess . . and are often wrong . . a person might live with great quality of life for months and even years depending entirely on how fast the cancer is progressing and the specific location of the tumors.
No one knows how long this will take because everyones cancer is unique to that person (cancer is not foreign to the body, it is made up of the persons own DNA - making it unique to that person).

So . . let your father live his life to the best of his ability . .even if that life is shorter now. Eventually you will notice that he is slowing down a bit but hopefully it will be gradual. I know a young man on hospice right now who cannot get out of his wheelchair and yet the entire family has gone to the beach for a week . . he's taking his kids and watching them go on rides . . enjoying the sand and shore . . he is refusing to give into the disease. Your father will amaze you . . let this be a time for pride and love for your Dad . . just be with him and enjoy his company.

If you get a chance listen to Randy Pausch's message "The Last Lecture" a young professor dying from pancreatic cancer.

http://download.srv.cs.cmu.edu/~pausch/