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daughteroftheking
New User
Joined: 04 Mar 2008
Posts: 4
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 Posted: Tue Mar 04, 2008 4:21 pm Post subject: Aunt recently diagnosed |
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| My aunt was recently diagnosed with SCLC which has metastasized to her liver. She is 52. She has been a lifelong smoker. She was diagnosed about two and a half weeks ago, and had her first chemo treatment of cisplatin and half dose etoposide last week. She is having great difficulty breathing, on oxygen in the ICU 24 hours per day. She had her chemo in the hospital to monitor all of the things that are going wrong...her BP, her electrolytes, her potassium. She is SO bloated up she appears nine months pregnant. Her feet and legs are so swollen they look like they could not get any bigger. She began coughing up bright red blood today...lots of it, big "chunks" of it. Very scary to see. Just last month she was at my daughter's birthday party, and now the thought of her being able to walk is almost unbelievable. Her breathing is so labored. It seems as if everything is happening very quickly, and it is very hard to get to even speak to a doctor or get any straight answers. I know that no one can say when her last day is, but I feel like I need something more concrete. If anyone can be of help, I would appreciate it. Thanks so much, and God bless |
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ksplat
Moderator
Joined: 26 Apr 2007
Posts: 505
Location: Brisbane, Australia
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| Posted: Tue Mar 04, 2008 5:07 pm Post subject: Aunt recently diagnosed |
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Hello there
I am very sorry to hear about your Aunt's diagnosis & current health problems. I know you will receive plenty of support here for yourself & answers to yr questions you might have.
I am not familiar with SLSC but there are plenty of knowledgeable members here on the LC thread who will come to your aid.
Your Aunt's breathing problems must be very stressful for you all & with her in ICU it's a very serious situation. Also the coughing up blood sounds very serious too, I'm so very sorry your Aunt & your family are having to experience this awful illness.
Please know you are all in my prayers & thoughts.
I was wondering if maybe your Aunt is having renal problems along with the metastatic cancer in her liver. Although the swelling in her legs, feet & abdomen are symptoms of liver troubles. The fluid in her legs & feet could also be from the kidneys not working properly. The medical team checking her BP, electrolytes, potassium, will keep on top of this, she is in the best place at the moment!
Perhaps you could ask the medical team about these symptoms & other concerns you have about your Aunt's condition? You really need to have a notebook & write all yr questions down as you think of them, then when you go to the hospital make sure you are given time to ask the Dr & staff about your concerns. Be well prepared & have a 2nd person with you who can help "take in" all that you're told.
Once again you are in my thoughts & prayers.
Cheers, Angie.
_________________
Brother has GBMIV
Diagnosed Feb 07
46 Yrs young!
http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?p=19227
"Without Faith We Have Nothing" |
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pbj11
Site Admin
Joined: 12 May 2007
Posts: 1002
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| Posted: Wed Mar 05, 2008 11:09 am Post subject: Re: Aunt recently diagnosed |
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I'm sorry your Aunt is having a rough time. Sometimes, when the chemo is working, it can actually cause bloody sputum as the tumors are breaking up and they get coughed up. Sometimes it's not a good sign. My husband had bloody sputum prior to diagnosis, but that went away during his first line treatment. He had this problem again, on and off, during the course of his illness.
The liver, as Angie pointed out, is a big culprit for the swelling. My Dad had liver cancer and he swelled in the lower half of his body in a big way.
Hopefully, when the chemo kicks in, your Aunt will see a lessening of the symptoms.
We also had the whole SOB experience and my husband was on oxygen 24/7. The SOB would get better at times, but he still needed the oxygen to keep his blood/oxygen levels at a healthy level.
I'm sorry, it is very hard to see someone who was healthy suddenly deteriorate like this. It's frightening and I hope for the best for your Aunt.
It's good that she is in the hospital to be monitored at this point.
Best wishes for some success.
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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