This is a first for me.. so it would make me more comfortable to introduce myself.
My name is Mary. I'm 23 years old, and I have a 4 year old son named Zachary. I am originally from Memphis, TN. but my husband (Patrick) is in the army, and we are currently stationed at Ft. Lewis, Washington.

A little over a month ago, my father (Jimmy-58yrs old) was admitted to the hospital with what we thought was a perforated bowel. It turned out that he has a mass in his colon. (which turned out to be benign) but when performing the CAT scan, they found several masses on his liver (so many that they are unable to count) and 2 masses in his right lung. They are malignant. We were told that the cancer started in his lung, and that it is small cell. The doctors scanned him from head to toe, and said it has not spread beyond those 2 organs. In the past month, he has gone from being a loud, vibrant, spirited man, to a zombie.
He has lost a lot of weight.. He was usually around 250lbs, and he is now at 190. He doesn't eat solid food, he only drinks Boost shakes, when he is forced. He has to wear diapers, because he has lost control of his bodily functions. He sleeps all the time. He doesn't talk much, and what he does say doesn't make sense. He gets confused about who people are by name.. (didn't remember my step-brother who has been in our lives for 10 yrs. and didn't remember my husband who has been around for 2 years) He is starting to jaundice now, and is being combative with my step-mom when she tries to give him his medicine. He just went through 3 days of chemo, on the 12th, 13th, and 14th, and is now at home.
His doctors have not given us many answers, and they seem to be dragging their feet on trying to help him. I last saw him a month ago and as I said earlier, I live in Washington, so traveling to him is difficult.. I would like to know how long we have with him, and at what time should I go to be with him. Also, are there are any recommendations on how we can get him to eat. I am a realist, and I know what is coming. I would just like to be able to understand what is going on, and what the body's process is, in a situation such as this.
Thank you for any advice you can offer.