charlea
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I had steroids during my chemo to prevent nausea and they worked like a charm as I had no nausea and maintained my appetite throughout. Fatigue was my biggest problem and cooking the foods I like best took energy so had to push myself. There are several meds that can increase appetite including marijuana. Good luck with your efforts.
Lisa, that’s one more blow you didn’t need but take heart as I have been reading about good treatments for melanoma including light therapy. There’s one more prayer going up for your dad now.
Margaret, I felt like I was following a soap opera and the writers were trying to see how many wrenches they could throw in to up the excitement! I cannot believe that you were still able to write with some semblance of sanity with all that you were coping with…you go girl!
Personally, with all I read about your situation, I would be inclined to sell and call on my friends to help with the move. Sometimes you just have to close your eyes and make the jump knowing that it is the best for all of you. Margaret and her husband certainly recognized the value of their relationship and the need to reduce the stressors that impacted that precious relationship. You and your family will be in my prayers while you try to make the decision….God bless.
If a doctor tells you about an elevated test, don’t be afraid to call and ask what it means. The doctor may have a case manager working with him who could explain changes. I know the most frustrating thing about CC is the roller coaster we all are on. Even though I am doing well as far as appetite, energy, etc., I still start winding up after I have my 3 month CAT scan until I get an explanation of changes (if there are any). I have found that many doctors will call patients after hours to explain something because they know how important that question may be to the patient. This was my area of work so I am familiar with what you go through. My prayers are with you and everyone on this site.
Ritchie, just to illustrate how different everyone is on this site. I am 67, had a 10.5 cm tumor in the left lobe of my liver and two positive lymph nodes in my abdomen (proven by biopsy). My surgeon stated I was not a surgical candidate, or rather that a surgery of that magnitude would be extremely hard on me and would not be a cure since my CC had already metatasized. We tried chemo which had absolutely no effect, and then I had a chemoembolization directly to the tumor which did kill the tumor. The lymph nodes have not enlarged or spread at this time which the oncologist said was due to the indolent nature of my CC. The tumor could re-grow and they could do another chemoembolization depending on how I’m doing. I still have a port in (for luck as my oncologist said). That way if my tumor started growing again I could try another chemo. I wish you the best in whatever you do. Just make sure you are armed with as much knowledge as you can gather and this is the place to find the information you need.
This is one issue I would address with the doctor right away. Chemo can cause what we call “chemo brain” but that generally is a problem with memory which doesn’t sound like what your mom is experiencing. Remember that not all issues are related to the treatments or meds or the CC so let your oncologist and primary care provider know. I am not familiar with Marinol but you can always talk to your pharmacist about any questions you have about meds. My best to you and your mother.
I also had a large left lobe tumor with two enlarged lymph nodes, one between my liver and stomach and a second one lower in the abdomen. After much deliberation and evaluation with biopsies, a PET scan which did not light up the lymph nodes, and several CAT scans I was told my CC was inoperable. A second opinion agreed with the first surgeon. All of this occurred before I found this site. I was told I had 6-12 months and am currently in my 13th month with a recent CAT scan showing no increase in number or size of the lymph nodes and a receding tumor after treatment with a chemoembolization July 6th, 2010. I have taken 10,000 IU of Vitamin D3 (before I was ever diagnosed with CC ) which has been shown to be helpful with breast and colon cancer and I wonder if it has helped me as I have maintained a high energy level, good appetite and feel better than I did before diagnosis. I did have chemo in March which showed no effect on the CC and so was not continued. I found a research article in the 2010 Journal of Cancer “Vitamin D in Combination Cancer Treatment” regarding the benefit of D3. You may want to discuss it with your oncologist.
Hello Sidig. You are certainly in the right place to get a lot of questions answered because there are a lot of “experts” who have experienced every variation of the CC story. I was deemed inoperable because of my lymph node involvement but I was feeling so well I was not that anxious to go through a major, major surgery for what might or might not work…rather would not work. I was given 6 months by my oncologist and 12 months by the surgeon but I am past that already in my 13th month, feeling great and doing all I want to do. I had chemo which did not work and a chemoembolization which did work with almost no side effect…that was directly to my liver tumor but the lymph nodes remain. They have not increased in size or number. I have friends and family all over the world praying for me so I must have some task left to do in this world.
One thing I do with my oncologist’s okay is to take 10,000 IU of Vitamin D3 daily, initially for treatment of my MS (multiple sclerosis) at 2000 IU. There have been some articles on the benefit of the vitamin in bowel and breast cancers and a recent research article in the Journal of Cancer 2010 that discusses its use in conjunction with other treatments. I will post that resource when I figure out how to bring it to the site.It might be something to discuss with your oncologist.
Hi Cindy Lou, I’m originally from Mansfield too. You have a long search ahead for your answers and finding the right doctor to help you is the next step. If it is true that your aunt is early in her disease and has no spread she may be a surgical candidate. The site members here will help you with your search as I am sure there will be participants who are from Ohio. University Hospital in Columbus and the Cleveland Clinic may be able to give you information as well. I wish you well with your search….your aunt is fortunate to have you helping her when all of this overwhelming news hits.
I love your mom’s attitude….enjoying every moment of her life no matter how long it is. I could just envision her doing her song and dance.
Tommy, you and Judy should have a caring discussion about Judy’s desires and follow Betsy’s advice regarding the Durable Power of Attorney and Living Will. In our area those are required to enter hospice. We have two types of hospice, one in which they can be called in prior to a 6-month survival projection and the other is a 6-month prognosis. I think that hospice is as much for the living as for the patient as you can get so much support from their knowledge regarding end-of-life issues, particularly pain control. Judy’s wish to be in charge at this time is important to her since her health has been taken out of her hands. Once she feels she can give up that control the nurses will guide you in her care. My experience is that the pain meds are given as needed, not on a specific schedule. Sometimes the person wants to be more alert and aware than the meds allow so they exchange some pain for the ability to enjoy family and friends. When the pain is too great, Judy will use the medications. Then it will be important to stay on top of the pain, not allowing it to become too severe before meds are administered. Never worry about taking too much. May God keep you in his hands as you walk this path with Judy. You sound like a loving husband…
It is always so heartening to read letters such as Minkyz’s. The beauty of her words in describing her relationship to her sister is wonderful but also her ability to see the positive in the experience of dealing with a devastating illness and not be diminished by it.
This is such a good thread for those of us who are nearing hospice, have friends or family needing the service or want to be prepared with the information for future care. It is so important to know the philosophy of the hospice regarding pain management.
I don’t see much comment on the use of pain patches as primary pain management or as an adjunct to IV or oral meds. It seems like a good option for those who are unable to keep oral meds down but don’t want an IV keeping them down.
I’m waiting for the results of my CAT scan from last Wednesday. It’s the same for all of us I suspect. My oncologist comes to my local hospital once a week so my appointment is next Wednesday. The waiting is more difficult as time passes knowing that the likelihood of spread is greater with each scan. I remain active and positive and as I have said before I am not afraid. So many have shared their journey which makes the path more easily traveled….
Thanks to everyone who takes the time to comfort others while they draw strength from those who give their time and knowledge. God bless you all.
Dear Codergirl, I lost my mother to a different type of cancer which was just as devastating as CC. There were so many times that I would go to pick up the phone to call her and have the sudden realization that she wouldn’t be there to answer. I do talk to her even four years later and find that to be healing. It was funny, several months before I was diagnosed with CC I kept having this premonition that I would be dead within a year. That is not at all like me to feel this way but one night I dreamed that both of my parents came to me and told me that I would be all right and they would be there to walk beside me. That was in August of 2009 and I was diagnosed in January of 2010. Somehow they do walk with me through this disease and I feel no fear as I know that God is with them as he will be with me as the disease progresses.
