Building up strength

cinnabon64 · Posted: Sun Jul 27, 2008 10:44 pm Post subject: Building up strength

Hi,
my mom is newly diagnosed with lung cancer, but we don't know what kind or if it is spread or not.

She is very weak, and is nauseated all the time, and can't keep anything down. It isn't always vomiting, but bile will just shoot up and she has to have a container to spit into all the time. If she takes her meds it often with shoot back up and they are gone.

So, needless to say, she has lost alot of weight and is very weak. Is there anything that can be done to build up her strength? She has used Usana vitamins and minerals in the past and found them benifical.

The way she is now, I don't know if she could even handle chemo if thats what they recommend when we do find out the type and stage and if its metastasized or not.

We go see a dr on Tuesday for a consult about a biopsy and she will be having another ct scan, this time of her brain and stomach. She already had a bone scan last week.

Since she can't keep much down, I don't even think a ensure shake with protein powder would even work. Is there something they could infuse to build up her strength?

This is so scary. She is 66.

Bonnie
_________________
Cinnabon

My Mom diagnosed with Lung Cancer
tumor surrounding Superior Vena Cava
on July 18/08
died July 30/08

testing never completed, many questions unanswered

pbj11 · Site Admin Joined: 12 May 2007 Posts: 1262

Hi Bonnie,

Welcome to the boards. I'm so very sorry to hear that your Mom is having such difficulty. I have heard of temporary feeding tubes being done for some patients, but don't know if this is a solution in your Mother's case.

I hope someone can offer some suggestions. My husband didn't experience this problem prior to diagnosis, so I'm lost on this one.

I hope they get things pinned down and find a solution for your Mom soon. Have you asked the doctor for an anti-nausea medication for her?

Best of luck,
PBJ
_________________
Husband diagnosed with NSCLC Stage IV. (Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer) Fought & lived 2 1/2 years with multiple lines of treatment.

Post describing our battle: http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?t=7026&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=0

dano · Posted: Mon Jul 28, 2008 11:29 am Post subject: Re: Building up strength

Welcome Bonnie;
Very sorry to here what your Mother is going through, so many tests and doctors visits to go through before you start getting some answers. Press the doctors for help as much as possible, sometimes they need a push. I keep you and your Mom in prayer. Keep coming back here, there will be a lot of help for you and your Mom.
God Bless
Dan
_________________
54 year old male in Hawaii
Diagnosed Nov. 9,2007 with NSCLC IV
with Mets to the lymphs and brain
Had full brain radiation treatment in Jan 08
Currently on chemo treatments every 3 weeks
with Alimta
and taking Lovenox for blood clots
Now back to work full time
http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?t=9993

cinnabon64 · Posted: Mon Jul 28, 2008 6:50 pm Post subject: Re: Building up strength

thanks dan and pbj!

I found out today that her appointment tomorrow is just for a consult on the biopsy. My mom and I share a GP which is good. He called today while I was there so I got to talk to him. He was on holidays while mom had her original CT and just saw the results today. He is very concerned for her. He thinks the cancer is aggressive since she had a clean chest xray just one year ago. I told him how weak she was and that she couldn't hardly keep anything down, and he said we might have to admitt her to try and build her up. She has her brain and abdomen ct coming up on Thursday morning so maybe we will get to see him then.

Mom is concerned with how Dad is/isn't dealing with this. He has never been one to talk about feelings and such. Dr suggested we all come and have a debriefing with him to talk about this all. Its so overwhelming.

Mom thanked me today for being so strong. Yikes. Its only thru the grace of God and His strength that will help me get thru this.

It seems like mom just wants to give up. She is not very interested in taking treatment. Chemo she might cause we have a cancer care center locally but radiation is done 2 hrs away from home. I think just the driving would do her in.

I am so glad I found this site. At least you guys will be able to help me understand things and will be able to understand me and what is going on.

God is good.

Bonnie
_________________
Cinnabon

My Mom diagnosed with Lung Cancer
tumor surrounding Superior Vena Cava
on July 18/08
died July 30/08

testing never completed, many questions unanswered

dano · Posted: Mon Jul 28, 2008 7:28 pm Post subject: Re: Building up strength

Hi Bonnie;
Hard to say aout your Dad, most guys hold things in. My Dad seemed that way, never emotionally expressive. I think that there is that generation that believes that is how it is supposed to be. I've never seen him cry, through many of his close friends and my Mom passing, he is 88 and should live much longer, might out live me. Don't it figure he smokes for 45 years, I don't touch the stuff and I get lung cancer. lol The tight rope situation you are in, is a no win one. All you can do is help your Mom, finding ways to make her feel better, while likely listening to her complain. (have family members that are carreer complainers) I will be praying for you to have the strength.
God Bless
Dan
_________________
54 year old male in Hawaii
Diagnosed Nov. 9,2007 with NSCLC IV
with Mets to the lymphs and brain
Had full brain radiation treatment in Jan 08
Currently on chemo treatments every 3 weeks
with Alimta
and taking Lovenox for blood clots
Now back to work full time
http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?t=9993

Tera · Senior User Joined: 31 Dec 2007 Posts: 186

Bonnie, I know how you feel. This site was a blessing to me too when I took care of my mom during her short brave battle with this disease. If I can return even a tenth of the support, prayers, and advice these good folks gave me, I will be happy.

Hang in there, I know it is a scary thing.

cinnabon64 · Posted: Mon Jul 28, 2008 10:42 pm Post subject: Re: Building up strength

mom seems to often be really short of breath too. She is on 2 different kind of puffers. I'm wondering if being on oxygen would be coming up. The tumor is 7 cms and at the top of her right lung and it surrounds the superior vena cava and causes significant narrowing and volume loss.
_________________
Cinnabon

My Mom diagnosed with Lung Cancer
tumor surrounding Superior Vena Cava
on July 18/08
died July 30/08

testing never completed, many questions unanswered

brainman · Posted: Mon Jul 28, 2008 11:43 pm Post subject: Re: Building up strength

cinnabon, I just replied to your message about your mother's puffiness. Her difficulty in breathing just further increases my concern about fluid retention. I do not want to cause unnecessary alarm but your mother might be nearing a life of death situation if this continues. If her breathing gets worse, take her to the ER at once. Fluid can build up around the heart so much that the heart cannot beat.

You and your mother are in my thoughts and prayers.
_________________
Jim
Site Administrator and long-term cancer survivor
1992 Astrocytoma grade 2, left motor strip
2005 Recurrence this time said to be an Oligodendoglioma grade 3, same location.
My Story Part 1: http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?p=7350
My Story Part 2: http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?t=8029
Blog http://jimhawkinsport.blogspot.com/

koikkeril · Super Moderator Joined: 29 Jul 2007 Posts: 334

Hi Bonnie,
I am sorry to hear of your mums problems....she sure is having a rough time there.
Every turning with this disease has a new road and a new stage of diagnosis..I only hope that she will be nicely blessed to be able to have some profitable time with you and your family.

A snippet of info from my own experience...
My husband Daniel got to a stage he could not sit up or move without the pressure of the gas pushing up the bile...I am not saying this is the same, but I thought with this problem he would not survive long.
I learnt to neutralize the bile with natural yogurt.. I think the hospital was rather surprised when I told them as the gas was pushing the bile up-down and I could hear it before he was sick...I would give gently spoon of natural yogurt...he learnt to accept taking this as he was the one experiencing the nausea stopping.. after approx 3 spoonfuls this gas stopped pushing it up and it settled..
(I had to do this before every drink..every meal....every-time he moved in the bed as he was that bad)!
I cant say whether it would help your mum but perhaps its worth a try...the hardest is someone having the trust in you giving them something whilst they are HEAVING.. It doesn't take long to neutralize and settle the stomach but if the person is very ill like my husband was, it has to be done very slowly so it stays down so it can work..

Ditto Brainman.....It could be a good idea to check this out with the medical team...eliminate what could happen before it happens and then re-think again...

By the way Heard=Heart.... Rolling Eyes

Take care of you...Bonnie, I will keep you in my prayers, God Bless, Koik
_________________
Husband diagnosed with stage 1V NSCLC Febuary 2007.....Lost his battle August 27th 2008 but lives on in my heart.

pbj11 · Site Admin Joined: 12 May 2007 Posts: 1262

Hi Bonnie,

The puffiness might be from the SVC constriction itself. Glad you are seeing a doctor today. I noticed in another post that you'll be seeing a GP. If I may ask, why isn't she already dealing with an oncologist at this point in the diagnosis procedure? Has she seen a pulmonologist for breathing function tests? You might be right --- she could very well be on her way to using oxygen. My husband had to do the same deal, with two inhalers and oxygen.

If she does decide to do treatment, the improvement can be startling for her breathing.

Good luck and let us know how things go at the doctor. I'm sure you are very worried. You'll be in our thoughts and prayers.

PBJ
_________________
Husband diagnosed with NSCLC Stage IV. (Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer) Fought & lived 2 1/2 years with multiple lines of treatment.

Post describing our battle: http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?t=7026&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=0

LizNDale · Posted: Tue Jul 29, 2008 10:58 am Post subject: Re: Building up strength

Hi Bonnie,

I wanted to say "hey" and tell you you've come to the right place. This is a fantastic group of folks.

I'm so sorry about your mom, and pray she can get relief from some of these symptoms soon.

Take care of yourself,

Liz
_________________
My Mother - Stage IV NSCLC - Adenocarcinoma
Mets to Adrenal Glands and Brain
Diagnosed Thursday June 12th 2008
Died Sunday September 7th 2008

Her Story:
http://cancerforums.net/about9639.html
Her Statement of Faith Memorial:
http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?t=10528

cinnabon64 · Posted: Tue Jul 29, 2008 11:35 pm Post subject: Re: Building up strength

pbj,
we just found out about this cancer on july 18th. We were seen by our cancer dr locally and he set things up with this dr at the respiratiory clinic
She had a bone scan last week, and is having a ct of her brain and stomach on Thursday. I don't have a clue as to what drs are the right ones to see in what order, so this is all I know right now.

We are seeing our GP just for a debrief type of of appointment.... to see how everyone is dealing with things etc. He is also concerned about her weakness.
Maybe my update post might answer some of your questions. I am so new at this ride and don't know hardly any of the terms etc. Please forgive me.

What is SVC?
_________________
Cinnabon

My Mom diagnosed with Lung Cancer
tumor surrounding Superior Vena Cava
on July 18/08
died July 30/08

testing never completed, many questions unanswered

pbj11 · Site Admin Joined: 12 May 2007 Posts: 1262

Hi Bonnie,

Don't worry --- I know how confusing all of this is for you right now. I'm sorry -- sometimes I get confused over who is who and what is what on the boards! Shocked

I forget how lost we were after the initial diagnosis. You enter a whirlwind of activity and you can barely catch your breath. You're being thrown a million things at one time and it's hard to cope with the diagnosis itself. It does help to write things down in a notebook as you think of them and take it with to the doctor. I always carried cheat-sheets with me because the mind goes blurry. It's good to take notes while the doctor is talking too.

You may just have a different system in your country, but it sounds good that the family doctor will be briefing all of you. Our case was tossed immediately to the pulmonologist and then to a surgeon. We didn't get a briefing until after the biopsy when the oncologist became involved. Don't worry, it will all work out, just go with the flow. I was just being curious.

SVC = Superior Vena Cava, which is the area where the tumor is growing. The superior vena cava syndrome (SVCS) is what I mentioned might be causing a constriction that is making your Mom's face puffy. I've seen some people do marvelously on treatment for this particular type of tumor. I don't know why, but tumors in this area always tend to be on the larger side.

Good luck with the rest of the roller coaster/circus. Please keep us updated and we'll all help in any way possible.

Hugs,
PBJ
_________________
Husband diagnosed with NSCLC Stage IV. (Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer) Fought & lived 2 1/2 years with multiple lines of treatment.

Post describing our battle: http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?t=7026&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=0

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