Mom has just been diagnosed

Trudeaubear · New User Joined: 03 Jul 2008 Posts: 4

Hi there

My name is Lianne and I live in Melbourne Australia, my Mom lives in Morden Manitoba.

We just got some very bad news from Canada yesterday morning. Mom has been diagnosed with cancer that looks like it started in the lungs and has now spread to her kidneys, adrenaline glands and she has multiple liver tumours. It’s looking very bad.

She just moved out to Morden from Toronto to be closer to her sisters and since she got there had not being feeling well and had already been in and out of the hospital there with very low potassium levels. I guess they put it together with her past health history (COPD) and did a CT scan which came up with the cancer. I don’t know why the doctors in Toronto did not pick it up. But it’s spread extensively, so it had to be there for awhile. .

My sister also lives in Australia so we are trying to get some information on when we should come back, I know it's probably pretty soon.

She is in a very good place and the nurses are giving us as much information as they can, but the doctor has yet to call us, the time difference is making it difficult to connect. I understand that they are going to do some biopsies next week and hopefully this will give us some more information.

Can anyone provide me with some knowledge around what we can expect. I know it's hard to know this, but how long does she have considering she has multiple tumors in her liver. She is not a strong woman, she's only 69 years but has been through so much these past four or so years. They have also said it's non operable.

Thanks and I look forward to hearing back from someone.

Regards,
Lianne

brainman · Posted: Fri Jul 04, 2008 8:10 pm Post subject: Re: Mom has just been diagnosed

Lianne, I am very sorry about your mother's cancer. It must be very hard for you to be so far away from her at this time.

Unfortunately, no one can give you anything but estimates. It sounds like the only unknown is the specific Lung Cancer cell type. Since it has already spread, it is undoubtedly a very advanced stage. Keep in close touch with your mother and listen for signs that she is experiencing kidney and/or liver failure. That will be the time you really should go to her.

Actually, if possible, you should go now just to spend some quality time with your mother while she can still enjoy the time with you.

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/

Trudeaubear · New User Joined: 03 Jul 2008 Posts: 4

Hi Jim

Thanks for your email, this forum is just an incredible support.

My sister is heading over in two weeks if not sooner and I will follow straight after that, if not sooner.

Thank you again and I hope we can get a more answers next week, but I'm prepared for the fact that we probably don't have much time and the distance is the worse thing.

Best regards,

Lianne

Trudy · Regular Joined: 24 May 2008 Posts: 48 Location: Hershey PA

Dear Lianne
My prayers will be with you as you walk this journey of such uncertainty.
I will encourage you to use this forum to talk and ask questions. I have been so greatly blessed and helped through the lovely people who share this forum.
Lung Cancer is a hard thing to deal with and it is a day by day thing.
Get as much information from the doctors for you have a right to now and beleive it or not, knowing what you are dealing with brings a certain peace in this land of Lung Cancer, anykind of cancer,

For now , know you are being lifted in prayer for peace and wisdom as you go through this with your precious loved one.
God Bless you and your family,

Trudy

84 yr. old mother diagnosed April 08 nsclc Stage 4

brainman · Posted: Sat Jul 05, 2008 3:13 am Post subject: Re: Mom has just been diagnosed

Good plan Lianne. Lung Cancers are very tricky. If it was only the tumor in her lungs that your mother had to worry about, I could feel a little more confident in telling you that she probably still had several months if not years to live. But it has gone to her kidneys and liver. Those tumors will probably eventually be the cause of her death.

Sometimes I hate this "job" Sad

. I HATE CANCER!!!!
_________________
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/

pbj11 · Site Admin Joined: 12 May 2007 Posts: 1257

Hello Lianne,

Welcome to this board. I'm so very sorry to hear about your Mom's advanced diagnosis. Will they be planning any treatment at all to help with pain from the mets?

I too hate cancer. There are too many variables with how lung cancer presents to give any guesses to how long a person will survive. Some types are slower growing, others race like wildfire. Unless they've done a biopsy, as Jim mentioned, to determine the cell type and differentiation, there is no way of knowing. Even then, the course of the illness is a bumpy ride, as I'm sure you have already read from other posts.

Please know we are here to help. We will answer any questions that we have had experience with and, although we are not doctors, there is a lot of different experiences packed into the people on these boards.

I'm so sorry that we have a new member, but we freely give our support, care, and prayers.

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

Trudeaubear · New User Joined: 03 Jul 2008 Posts: 4

Hi there

Got some more news last night around 1am. The doctor emailed me to say that they are going to do a biopsy, to get a definitive tissue diagnosis. After this a bone scan will probaly be done to determine if there has been further cancer spread. The preliminary diagnosis, though is that of bronchogenic carcinoma. The prognosis is poor, in that more than half of the liver has been replaced by what looks like tumour. Once we have a tissue diagnosis, the cancer department in Winnipeg will be consulted. We will then have a better sense of her prognosis.

His sense at the moment is that this is not curable, and any intervention will probably be palliative. He said that it is difficult to predict what her life expectancy is, but thinks that it would be good for some family to plan a trip in the next few weeks, as he believes that she probably has less than a few months to live. He said that anything can obviously happen in the interim, as complications can also suddenly arise. At the moment she is putting on a brave face.

So my sister and I are leaving this week, getting on a plane hopefully by Wednesday. Mom is thrilled we are coming. She sounds weaker everyday I speak to her, so I just pray she holds on till we get there.

Thanks for all your support!

Lianne

brainman · Posted: Sun Jul 06, 2008 10:08 am Post subject: Re: Mom has just been diagnosed

Lianne, I am glad that you are going to see your mother now. The three of you will be happy that you made this trip.

By the way, her tests and treatments will also make her sound weak. It takes a lot out of a person to undergo all the tests needed and the stress associated with cancer can be overwhelming.

Have a good trip and spend some quality time with your mother Smile

.
_________________
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/

pbj11 · Site Admin Joined: 12 May 2007 Posts: 1257

Lianne,

I'm sorry to hear that there appears to be such heavy liver involvement. I hope they are keeping your Mom's pain under control, as I understand that liver mets are very painful.

I wish you and your sister a safe journey to see your Mom. I'm sure she is very excited to see both of you. Enjoy the time and create special memories.

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

koikkeril · Super Moderator Joined: 29 Jul 2007 Posts: 332

Hello Lianne,
I am sorry to hear about the sad diagnosis of your mothers spread of cancer... Sad

I am glad you have found this site as its a good place to have help with the answers and the support you will further need as you travel the road ahead....
God Bless you and its great you and your sister will be able to see your mum soon... Thinking of you, Koik

LizNDale · Posted: Sun Jul 06, 2008 5:47 pm Post subject: Re: Mom has just been diagnosed

Hi Lianne,

I am so sorry about your mom, but so glad you found this forum. These are truly incredible people here, with info, experience to share and moral and emotional support for everyone.

It's good you and your sister can go to her now, Godspeed to you.

You, your mom, and your family have been added to my prayers.

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: Sat Jul 19, 2008 4:13 pm Post subject: Re: Mom has just been diagnosed

Lianne,
I just about flipped when I read your post yesterday [just found this site] and I ready you saying your mom lives in Morden Manitoba. I live in between Morden and Winkler, and my mom has just been diagnosed with lung cancer. She is 66. She lives in Winkler.

I wish there was some way I could contact you, as you probably are in Morden right now. I hope things are going as well as can be expected. I don't know my moms prognosis yet, or the type of cancer. We just found out yesterday. I am still in shock.

Bonnie

Trudeaubear · New User Joined: 03 Jul 2008 Posts: 4

Hi there

I wanted to thank everyone for their support when I posted about my Mom's cancer. My sister and I and our partners made it to Canada ( from Australia) and we spent an amazing two weeks with Mom, she was brave and funny and incredible right to the end, but the cancer was too widespread by the time we got there. It had spread from the lungs to the liver to the bones.

Thanks again.

Lianne

cinnabon64 · Posted: Mon Aug 11, 2008 5:30 pm Post subject: Re: Mom has just been diagnosed

Lianne,

So sorry to hear about your mom. I sent you a private message. Please read it, ok?

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

ksplat · Posted: Mon Aug 11, 2008 6:47 pm Post subject: Re: Mom has just been diagnosed

Hello Lianne
Please acept my deepest sympathy on the passing of your Mother. So sorry to hear about your loss. I am so very pleased you & your Sis were able to spend an AMAZING 2 weeks with your Mother.
My thoughts & prayers are with you.
Regards, Angie.
_________________
Brother diagnosed with GBMIV Feb 07
Treatment: Radiotherapy, Temodal, Gliadel Wafers, Dexamethasone, Keppra, Dilantin, Clexane
Went to our Heavenly Father after a 19mth battle,, 47 years young.
23 Sep 2008
http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?p=19227

"Without Faith We Have Nothing"

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