My dad is nearly 81 and recently underwent surgery to remove a bladder tumor. The doctor was sure that it was cancer, and we got the pathology results today. I am not sure of the exact stage, but the doctor said it was the "bad" cancer, and that he thinks that it has spread because he saw a spot on his lung on the MRI.
The only treatment option that he gave my dad was surgery to remove his bladder. Dad flatly refused. HIs issues are complicated by the fact that he has Alzheimer's. Currently he still knows all of his family members, but can't remember what he did 10 minutes ago. While in the hospital, he didn't even know why he was there, or that he had had surgery. Consequently, we are not fighting him on his decision to keep his bladder as we are afraid that he would not be able to take care of himself if it was removed.
He is currently living in an independent living facility and we have a nursing service that administers his meds and checks on him twice per day. He gets all of his meals there too. At the moment, he says that he feels good and doesn't have any pain. He doesn't understand why people keep asking him how he feels!
My question is, how long would he be expected to live? And, how much pain is he likely to be in, and how soon? Will he be able to stay in his current living situation, or should we look for something where he will get more care?
Unfortunately, I was not able to go to his appointment with him today as I live about 4 hours away.
Thanks for your help!