karenp
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Thank you for your support and prayers. I’m praying for direction as I speak to mom tomorrow, You are all a blessing.
Karen
I spoke woth my mom’s doctor today. Her pain is increasing and sleeping more. Her doctor suggested to me that it was probably time for hospice. Mom is not aware of what her told me tonight and I am bearing a great burden knowing that her condition worsens each time difficult information is given to her. My mom is not a decisive person since my dad’s passing away (about a year ago also from cancer). Her doctor said that he would talk to her tomorrow regarding his opinion of us getting hospice, while I am with her. I do believe that hospice is probably the best option for her, but it’s just so hard, since I know she’s going to give in as soon as she’s heard the news. Chemo has kept her going for about 6 months (it’s been about 11 month since her diagnosis). The time just never seems long enough. I not sure why I am writing, not looking for answers, as I have received so much information on this site, much more than any doctors have given us. It’s just comforting to know that others are going through this. The reality of my mom’s death I guess are more real than ever and I’m not sure that I’m prepared for what is coming. Would you keep me and my mom Shirley in your prayers, especially over the next day or two. I’m thankful for my faith. God is my rock.
Karenp
Marion–Thanks for the information again. I forgot to ask you or others on line about acid reflux. Does your husband have problem with this? It seems to be worsening, especially at night. This is mom’s current complaint and keeps her from sleeping well. We want to have some suggestions for the doctor on Wednesday. If you have any input, I would greatly appreciate it!
KarenP
Marion–Although my mom is home from the hospital, (she came home on Friday am), she’s back nauseaous and vomoting again as of last evening. The doctor drained 1 liter of fluid out on Thursday, seemed not to lessen her symptoms. She has a day or two that are tolerable and then right back in the cycle. You had mentioned that your husband switched to suppositories on his meds. Would you possibly share with me what your husband is taking to battle his symptoms? My mom has been on regulan–which recently they upped the dose and she’s got some really wierd side effects (stone like face and drooling) –so we are taking her off of that as of last night. She’s also on zofran for nausea and vicodan for pain management. Mom is not a pill taker (she’s always and up to just recently only taken 1 tylenol for anything). Does your husband have fluid retention problems, and is he taking anything for that? I just need to find some other options other than what we have to ask her oncologist about. She has an appt for Wed. Your reply is greatly appreciated or anyone else out there who has any suggestions, please let me know. Life is a roller coaster these days. I.m so thankful to have my faith at this time and this website.
Karenp
Marion–Thanks so much for the information. Actually mom’s back in the hospital after a full day or vomiting. Again abdom. Xrays showed only a ileus. Her potassium was down, could have contributed to the slow bowel. I’ll talk w/ the GI guys and her oncologist regarding meds as suppositories. It’s just such a crazy cycle, a week of eating OK, then vomiting a day or 2 and enough dehydration to land her back in the hospital. I’m just so thankful we’re close to the hospital this time, less running, less stress. We’re thankful for good days, or hours.
Karen P
Jules–thanks for the information. My mom has areadly had two stent replacements, both titanium. Seems that the stents are clear at this time. My mom was in the hospital for 5 days about 2 weeks ago as they thought she might have an obstruction. Tests, CT, scope, and multiple X rays turned up nothing. They released her saying that she had a paralytic ileus. Although upon release she had kept food down for a few days, the night she came home from the hospital she was back vomiting again. We ended up back at the oncologists office for daily hydration for 3 days and again did not vomit again until this morning. My mom continually complains of stomach pain, and acid reflux, causing nausea. She has been on a few anti-nausea drugs w/ her IV fluids, and had tried several OTC drugs for acid stomach. It seems like her stomach just isn’t empting well. She hasn’t had a normal bowel movenment for a few days. Any information on the use of mild laxitives to keep things going, especially since she has been told there is no blockages? Uses of antibiotics for possible infection and pain killers reak havoc with the digestive system apart from the chemo and the disease itself. If you have any suggestions, even herbal, we’re open to hear about it.
Thanks
KarenpBazel–I’m new to this site. My mom is 77 years old and was diagnosed with a sizable tumor on the bile duct in Dec. 2006. Originally the head of oncology at NW Memorial in Chicago suggested resection for my mom. She was symptomatic but CT scans showed no signs of metatices. In Feb. 2007 she had surgery only to find that the cancer had spread to her abdomen and nodes. Due to complications with her incision and stents (infection), she was unable to start chemo until May. She began chemo then and was doing quite well. Many ups and downs, but carried on a semi normal life. A few weeks ago, however, even with lowered tumor markers, she began having frequent diarreha (not sure if chemo related). She’s on Gemzar, like your dad 3 wks on 1 off. She also had increased stomach upset, acid stomach and fatigue. A recent hospital stay last week, after a night of vomitting, turned up no blockages, which is what they had expected. A few days on IV fluids and keeping down minimal food allowed her to come home. The same night she came home, she was vomitting again. She’s been returning back and forth to the oncologist’s office for IV fluids and this weekend has perked up. There are so many ups and downs it’s difficult to know if she’s really worsening. I too am the only one active in my mom’s caregiving. I’m thankful for this site. Sometimes I think the doctors spare my mom the details on how this disease progresses. Hope you dad perks up too. I just keep praying for quality days, or hours or even minutes.
Stay strong
KarenI’m new to this site. I am looking for support and answers. My mom, 77, was diagnosed with CC in Dec. of 2007. She was told, despite that she was symptomatic that she was a candidate for resection. Surgery was scheduled for Feb. 2007, they opened her and closed, finding more cancer in the abdomen and nodes, not visible on the CT scan. Because of complications of surgery, (infections, stendt(sp?) replacements, she was unable to start a treatment plan until May of this year. She began chemo (Gemzar) and actually did quite well until about two weeks ago. Her weight has dropped significantly and has a great amount of stomach upset, nausea and some vomiting. A recent hospital stay turned up no blockages, but symptoms continue. No new cancer has shown up on any scan or Xray, but there is quate a bit of fluid in her abodmen. The doctors seem to be guessing regarding where she is at with this disease. One doctor told me that she was probably dying, the next day mom perked up a bit. We are connected with a teaching hospital (University of Chicago) and Northwestern Memorial, but the information seems so scarce. I’m the only caregiver for my mom. My dad, a close aunt, 2 uncles and 2 close neighbors died within the same timeframe all of cancer (one year ago) that were my mom’s support group. I guess from reading messages that wasting and fatigue are the symptoms that are the most prevalent. We are faithful people and God is giving us the strength to get through this. It’s just so hard, seems no relief. Any information on non-traditional therapies that had eased the symptoms in this cancer? Thanks for posting your stories. It makes us feel that we are not alone in dealing with this diesase.
Karen
