CANCER TREATMENT OF AMERICA
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Lainy, the oncologist and lung surgeon in Pittsburgh both feel it is the cancer causing his shortness of breath. Both lungs have several patches, I guess the cancer doesn’t let his lungs fill to full capacity. As soon as he exerts himself at all, his breathing is labored. And I mean, simply walking down the hall to the restroom. Some days he is optimistic, usually very upset that he isn’t able to do anything. Thanks! Jenny
Hi Jenny. I personally think it was a good choice not to go with TCA. I am still confused though as to what his ONC says about the hard breathing. Take a deep breath and stay strong which is the best thing you can do for him. It still would not hurt to get another opinion………
Hi everyone, just wanted to say we did not go with Cancer Treatments of America. Not really sure why, just didn’t feel like they were the right place to be right now. Jeff is still have difficulty breathing but is also still doing chemo. Last week he had both Gemzar and Oxsaliplatin, which kicks his butt and then yesterday had just Gemzar. I really don’t know how he does it! I just wish he could take a break, gain a little weight and get stronger! But he feels the chemo is the only thing keeping the cancer from growing and making his breathing even harder! Thanks for listening…again! ~ Jenny
Thank you Pam and Susan, it is so nice getting on here and feeling all the support and understanding. Sometimes I just feel like this is the only place to go just because everyone here knows first hand what this is all about. Thank you!! ~Jenny
Jenny – It is so hard to make decisions at these times. Be encouraged, follow your heart and do what hubby wants to do. We had called Cancer Centers of America, but we didn’t have health insurance and they just told us to call back when we did. I have no idea if they have any competence with CC or not. I was so appreciative of hospice when we did call them (less than a month before my husband passed). Make the best decisions you can, but while you are deciding, hold each other close, whisper sweet nothings, and cherish the moment. Blessings, Susan
Jenny,
Hospice can help you LIVE with cancer….They were wonderful when we called them in for my Mom….
Here is the link for Hospice of Greensboro. I know it’s not your area but their website has some reallly good links about hospice on it.
I’m sending prayers and hugs to you and your family!
Hugs ,
PamThanks so much Lainy and Marion. We haven’t made the appointment yet but are talking about it. Thanks for the advice, it means alot! Jenny
Jenny….I agree with Lainy. We need to remember that hospice care stands for be “comfort care”. And, it is retractable when and if you choose to do so. Go with your gut feeling.
All my best wishes,
MarionJenny, do not be afraid to call for home hospice, they are wonderful and you are right there to make sure of everything. They really brought Teddy a ton of comfort and things he needed came to the house the same day, no waiting. They monitored him, his meds, he got a hospital bed which made him happy as he could use the rails to pull up. Oxygen, wheelchair, walker…you name it. Look
upon it as not giving up but getting help and making Jeff comfortable. Our problems were at their facility not in the home. At this point comfort for Jeff is the most important thing. You don’t want him using his energy on pain. This is not your admitting the end is here it is your admitting that you both need the help and their comfort.Hi Lainy, yes, our oncologist said last month that we may want to consider contacting hospice. And believe me, I have read so many peoples stories on their experiences with hospice, I just am so afraid to make the call. I just feel like I am giving up! He is so uncomfortable now though. Maybe your right. Thanks. Jenny
Jenny it makes perfect sense. Listen to your gut feeling it is usually right. We just seem to know after caring for our loved ones when enough is enough. Has your ONC said anything to you at all about Hospice yet? You know you can begin with them a year before anything happens. I had them for 4 months with Teddy and it was a godsend. He seem to relax once they started coming and their goal is to make the patient as comfortable as they possibly can. If you have not asked yet and if you feel Jeff is getting that much worse it may be time to ask the doctor. The doctor then sets up the initial visit and in a couple of days you are all set. Hospice does not mean the end of life, it means the beginning of comfort.
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