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D4ni3ll3
Regular
Joined: 12 Aug 2008
Posts: 17
Location: NZ
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 Posted: Wed Aug 13, 2008 4:07 am Post subject: Losing Mum to Lung Cancer |
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Hi all,
I see this looks like a good place to chat about things. My names Danielle, I'm 22 and from New Zealand.
My Mum at 46, 47 in November was diagnosed with small cell lung cancer in November last year with a tumor 5cm x 5cm in her right lung which was inoperable. She's had chemo & radiotherapy for it only to find out 3 weeks after finishing the radiotherapy (4 weeks ago) that it's now spread to the liver, stomach & a tumor attached to the side of her throat/gland area. She is refusing treatment on the tumor by her throat.
It all started out as a cough & progressed into worse symptoms. Over the last 2 weeks she's started throwing up heaps, falling asleep all of the time, feeling really nautious, having anxiety attacks when she can't breathe (because of the tumor pressing on her throat I'm guessing) & I don't know how long she has left because the doctors don't like giving prognosis' over here. One Onchologyst said 4 weeks ago that "It could be weeks or a couple of months" but it's not until the last 2 weeks that she's become alot worse & they've prescribed her morphine.
I live 3.5 hours drive from her & don't know if I should be taking next week off because she may not be around that long or what...
I can't talk to my brother who lives up there 5 minutes drive from her because he's a alcoholic & isn't good at communicating about anything to do with Mum being sick.
Danielle
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xo Love my Mum xo |
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partlysunny
Regular
Joined: 06 Aug 2008
Posts: 17
Location: US
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| Posted: Wed Aug 13, 2008 9:54 am Post subject: Re: Losing Mum to Lung Cancer |
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Hi Danielle,
I'm so sorry to hear that your Mom's health is deteriorating. This cancer is such a terrible thing. Do you work? If you do and can take some time off, I think it would be great for you to go visit your Mom and have some time with her. No one can really tell with any certainty how long she will be with us. Make the most of what time you have left. Share some particularly wonderful memories you have with her. Read to her. Go through old family photo albums.
This forum is a wonderful place for emotional support, as all of us are either fighting our own battle or have a loved one on this journey. There are many compassionate and knowledgable people who will gladly try to answer your questions and provide support.
{{{Hugs}}}
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Cindy
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My beautiful Mom
Diagnosed July 8, 2008 Stage IV NSCLC
Died peacefully September 2, 2008 |
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D4ni3ll3
Regular
Joined: 12 Aug 2008
Posts: 17
Location: NZ
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| Posted: Mon Aug 18, 2008 3:43 pm Post subject: Re: Losing Mum to Lung Cancer |
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Well the onchologist offered a radiotherapy treatment that isn't standard practice to her a couple of weeks ago for a tumor she has growing in her neck. She's refused treatment as her last radiotherapy on her chest and brain was horrible for her & didn't appear to do anything for her.
The reason he suggested the treatment is because he said it's a nicer way to go by metastisic liver cancer than having her airways blocked by this tumor & going by lung cancer. I have no idea what it will be like for her in the end but it doesn't sound pleasant....
She's fainted twice now & is sleeping alot. She's only eating half of a coffee & half a glass of fruit juice some days & even that comes back up...
Guys, girls... does this sound like the end... I'm so confused.
xo Danni
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xo Love my Mum xo |
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dano
Moderator
Joined: 19 Jul 2008
Posts: 231
Location: Oahu, Hawaii
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| Posted: Tue Aug 19, 2008 9:44 am Post subject: Re: Losing Mum to Lung Cancer |
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Danni;
I can see you are doing all you can and that the doctors are trying their best but cancer has been raising its head at every turn. I am at a loss for words to share of the sorrow and pain you are feeling for all that your Mom is going through. It is understandable that she feels consumed and defeated by the disease. I can only offer hope, a light at the end of the tunnel. This is my hope, that there is a better place in the here after, that cancer does not win, but God does, that he hurts with us and shares our pain that he knows so well himself. God does care for your Mom and you and wants to share the pain. But these bodies are just shells our spirit is in and thank goodness we don't live in them forever. I'll be ready to leave mine behind when my time comes for sure. Until then I have hope and faith to take me through the pain.
God Bless you Danni and your Mom, may peace come to you and your Mom in this storm, your on my heart and in my prayers.
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 |
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lily321
New User
Joined: 23 Jul 2008
Posts: 6
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| Posted: Fri Aug 22, 2008 9:36 am Post subject: Re: Losing Mum to Lung Cancer |
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| mum has thrush in her mouth they say its caused by her steroids. |
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D4ni3ll3
Regular
Joined: 12 Aug 2008
Posts: 17
Location: NZ
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| Posted: Mon Sep 08, 2008 3:49 pm Post subject: Re: Losing Mum to Lung Cancer |
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Hi guys,
Update:
Mums breathing is getting more wheezy & the hospice nurses have provided her with a hospital bed for at home & some breathing things like an inhaler with a spacer & some nose inhaler, I don't really understand them but they seem to help. She is strictly on Morphine now. I spent a couple of days with her not that long ago & freaked me out because she went out for a 'cancer stick' then couldn't stand up so was helping her inside when she fainted on me and started convulsing. If this happens to anyone else & you know why, please do let me know as I am totally unaware of why it happens, the nurses don't know why either.
xo Danni
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xo Love my Mum xo |
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sgodshall
Experienced user
Joined: 06 Jun 2008
Posts: 50
Location: Tennessee
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| Posted: Mon Sep 08, 2008 7:14 pm Post subject: Re: Losing Mum to Lung Cancer |
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I'm so sorry for your mom's deteroiting health. Has she had seizures before with brain mets?
_________________
As long as there is Life, there is Hope.
Husband (44) with LC, mets to brain, lymph nodes and bones. Received Carbo/Taxol, currently in a clinical trail. Had WBR, stereotactic radiation to brain |
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D4ni3ll3
Regular
Joined: 12 Aug 2008
Posts: 17
Location: NZ
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| Posted: Mon Sep 08, 2008 7:46 pm Post subject: Re: Losing Mum to Lung Cancer |
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Thank you for your support.
The last CT scan she had of her brain, lungs & abdominal area was about 3 months ago & that is when they discovered her 3 small liver tumors & something in her stomach - also the obvious one on her neck you can see a huge lump from it. They said the brain was clear so unless she has mets to the brain since then... not sure why she is having seizures...
She has had 3 now. One in the bath, she fainted & fell out onto the floor, ended up in hospital. Second one, my Nana (her caregiver) was there & Mum was already sitting on the toilet so was easier to control & the third when I was there & lucky I was because Nana can't hold Mums weight.
I don't know if she has long left now, her health is decreasing steadily, she is only drinking fluids now & has told me she feels like her wellness if fading away. Just a gut feeling I should probably get up there soon.
xo Danni
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xo Love my Mum xo |
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D4ni3ll3
Regular
Joined: 12 Aug 2008
Posts: 17
Location: NZ
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| Posted: Sun Sep 14, 2008 11:51 pm Post subject: Re: Losing Mum to Lung Cancer |
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With Mum now..
When will it end for her. It's pretty tough seeing what she has to go through. Can barely talk, has like 20 second intervals where no breathing then 2 quick breaths to catch up... just really painful to see. Don't think she has much time left..
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xo Love my Mum xo |
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pbj11
Site Admin
Joined: 12 May 2007
Posts: 1405
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| Posted: Tue Sep 16, 2008 9:10 am Post subject: Re: Losing Mum to Lung Cancer |
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Oh honey, I'm so sorry to hear of this news. Just sit with her and hold her hand and tell her how much you love her. They need to know that someone is there helping them to stay calm and soothe their fears. The morphine will help control the anxiety attacks from the breathing issues. It's extremely difficult to watch your loved ones go through this and my heart really goes out to you. My husband also went from inability to breathe, so I know what you are seeing.
Many prayers and hugs for peace. God bless you all.
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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D4ni3ll3
Regular
Joined: 12 Aug 2008
Posts: 17
Location: NZ
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| Posted: Wed Sep 17, 2008 2:31 am Post subject: Re: Losing Mum to Lung Cancer |
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Well Mum went last night at 9.40pm - she's now at peace & in a better place. I am glad for her that it's over & we're having the funeral tomorrow evening. What a journey, I will never touch cigarettes ever again.
xo
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xo Love my Mum xo |
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kenneth scotland
Regular
Joined: 03 Mar 2008
Posts: 36
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| Posted: Wed Sep 17, 2008 12:51 pm Post subject: Re: Losing Mum to Lung Cancer |
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Hi danni
I am so sorry for your loss and I feel your pain.
Words are never enough at a time like this. Please accept my sincere condolences to you and your family at this time.
You are in my thoughts. |
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pbj11
Site Admin
Joined: 12 May 2007
Posts: 1405
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| Posted: Wed Sep 17, 2008 2:53 pm Post subject: Re: Losing Mum to Lung Cancer |
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Danni,
My sincere sympathy on the loss of your Mom. She was so young and you have been so brave. May God hold you in his loving arms and give you comfort at this time.
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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LizNDale
Senior User
Joined: 16 May 2008
Posts: 147
Location: River Falls, WI
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| Posted: Wed Sep 17, 2008 2:59 pm Post subject: Re: Losing Mum to Lung Cancer |
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Danni,
I am so, so sorry for your loss.
It is a blessing you're right. But still, it's so hard.
You're in my thoughts and prayers,
xoxo
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 |
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Tera
Senior User
Joined: 31 Dec 2007
Posts: 198
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| Posted: Thu Sep 18, 2008 10:54 pm Post subject: Re: Losing Mum to Lung Cancer |
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| I am so sorry Danni. Your mom knew too how much you loved her and cared. Take comfort in the fact that she loved you very much and will now always be v=by your side guiding you through life. Keeping you in my prayers. |
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