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bnot
Experienced user
Joined: 21 Aug 2008
Posts: 51
Location: Mobile, AL
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 Posted: Tue Sep 02, 2008 11:10 pm Post subject: Scheduling biopsy for Mom |
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Today Mom's oncologist said the spots do look like cancer. One spot is in the lung, and another in her chest (that could have spread from the lung).
She doesn't know what type yet.
They gave Mom her options. Mom is 95, but she has her mind. Mom agreed to a biopsy, and if needed radaition.
I just feel at 95, she shouldn't be going through all this. Doesn't seem fair to someone who's made it to 95 years old.
Needless to say, I'm scared, and upset too. Mom has lived with me since late Dec. Before that, she lived with a niece and her husband, since 02.
I don't know which way is up right now. I know so little about all this. |
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brainman
Chief Admin
Joined: 13 Oct 2005
Posts: 4422
Location: Tennessee
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| Posted: Wed Sep 03, 2008 2:41 am Post subject: Re: Scheduling biopsy for Mom |
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bnot, it is always hard to know what is the "right" decision. Fortunately, your mother's mind is still good and she can make this decision for herself. What type of biopsy will they do? Most biopsies are relatively low risk procedures although all biopsies to have a certain amount of danger.
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 Oligodendroglioma 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/ |
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Vee Smith
Moderator
Joined: 12 Feb 2006
Posts: 817
Location: UK
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| Posted: Wed Sep 03, 2008 9:23 am Post subject: Re: Scheduling biopsy for Mom |
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| I agree with Jim, but with a 93-yr old mother who is in full command of her faculties, I am well aware that a 95-year old is quite capable of taking her own decisions! I think you must just go with her and be prepared for the possible downside of treatment. |
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bnot
Experienced user
Joined: 21 Aug 2008
Posts: 51
Location: Mobile, AL
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| Posted: Wed Sep 03, 2008 9:40 am Post subject: Re: Scheduling biopsy for Mom |
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The procedure they'll be doing is a needle in the spot, not cutting on her. And they said they could biopsy the one in her chest, so there is no danger of collapsing a lung.
Mom said "no cutting". She's said that since her aneurysm in 1988. She had a really hard time recovering on that one when she was 75.
Right now, I've been on the phone back and forth with the dr office this morning that will do the procedure and her Oncologist.
We have an a appointment, but they haven't called back to say if that is just to talk to the doc or the actual procedure. Its Sept 9th. I'm hoping its for the procedure.
Hurry up and wait again, part 6. |
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brainman
Chief Admin
Joined: 13 Oct 2005
Posts: 4422
Location: Tennessee
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| Posted: Wed Sep 03, 2008 3:24 pm Post subject: Re: Scheduling biopsy for Mom |
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bnot, the question that even I at 54 ask myself is: "What will I do if the biopsy is positive for cancer?" If the answer to that question is "Nothing" then I have to ask myself "Then why take the risk of a biopsy?"
As Vee said, you should go with her to help her understand all of her choices.
_________________
Jim
Site Administrator and long-term cancer survivor
1992 Astrocytoma grade 2, left motor strip
2005 Recurrence this time said to be an Oligodendroglioma 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/ |
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pbj11
Site Admin
Joined: 12 May 2007
Posts: 1386
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| Posted: Wed Sep 03, 2008 4:13 pm Post subject: Re: Scheduling biopsy for Mom |
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Bnot,
Sorry this is all happening to someone who has reached such a great age. The age part does make things more tricky overall and I really don't know how to respond. Vee is right, if she is of sound mind, then it's her body and she can do or not do what she wants.
Everyone is right about making sure she understands choices and the gravity of lung cancer. If it's spread outside of the lung and is late stage, there really is no cure and no surgery. It's treatable, but again, at that age you really have to weigh what real benefit there is to treatment.
I wish you the best in helping and being an advocate for her. It's a tough role. Make sure the doctors are really up front about the prognosis.
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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bnot
Experienced user
Joined: 21 Aug 2008
Posts: 51
Location: Mobile, AL
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| Posted: Wed Sep 03, 2008 4:14 pm Post subject: Re: Scheduling biopsy for Mom |
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Oh, Mom ain't going anywhere without me, lol.
They said they can use the needle, and get the one in her chest, that way there is no way they chance lung collapse.
She said if its positive, she will do the radaition treatment.
Her oncologist said that is Monday thru Friday for a month. Mom understands this quite well.
Today, she hasn't been feeling good at all. |
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