Sadly mom passed from SCLC much sooner than we thought

Donitta

I am new to forum, thought I'd be sharing updates and information for much longer. My mom lost her battle recently with her lung cancer.

She actually caught a very bad bacterial infection. That combined with a weakened heart, and no white blood cells (3 rounds of chemo) it was a losing battle. She had 4 minor heart attacks through chemo.

Thankfully we made it the 4 hour drive to see her prior to her passing. I know she waited for us.

She was on a ventilator when we got there, and her eyes lit up when she saw us, especially my 14 year old daughter.

Within a few hours she was gone. I will have a hard time getting those last images out of my mind. I'm having trouble sleeping. She wanted to be resuscitated, doctor's said that they doubted they'd be able to revive her and that we really didn't want to put her through that. I knew it was the right decision, but saddened by the fact that she didn't expect to die so soon.

I know we had a long road ahead as she was given a grim prognosis but she hadn't given up her fight and we weren't ready to lose her. I suppose you never are, but I will miss mom and treasure the memories that we had with her. She was only 64.

This is a great forum and I appreciate the support and the words of encouragement. My first posting was only a few weeks ago and it was about mom being diagnosed with lung, liver and shingles.

My mom loved butterflies, they were everywhere in her house and her life. I wanted to share this with you. My daughter read it at her service.

[b]Butterfly Wishes[/b]

Yesterday a butterfly
Came floating gently through the sky.
He soared up through the atmosphere
Then drifted close enough to hear.

I said, "I'd love to fly with you
And sail around the way you do.
It looks like it would be such fun
To fly up toward the summer sun.

But I have not your graceful charm.
I haven't wings, just these two arms.
I've been designed to walk around.
My human feet must touch the ground.

Then magically he spoke to me
and told me what his wish would be.

He said, "What I'd love most to do
Is walk upon God's Earth with you,
To squish it's mud between my toes
Or touch my finger to my nose.

I'd love just once to walk around
With human feet to touch the ground,
But I have not two legs that swing,
I haven't arms, just these two wings."

And so we went our separate ways
In wonder and surprise.
For we'd both seen God's precious gifts
Through someone else's eyes.

Author Unknown

brainman

Donitta, I am very sorry about your mother's death. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
_________________
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: 1265

Oh goodness Donitta, I'm so sorry. This did happen quickly. You never know how each person's body will react to treatment and the infection surely didn't give her much of a chance.

I'm glad you were able to see her. I understand how troubling many of the images can be, but time will soften the memory of those for you.

I pray for God's comfort to get you through this time, so you can arrive at a place where the happy memories are what you will think about.

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

Donitta · Posted: Fri Feb 15, 2008 9:04 am Post subject: Thanks

Thanks for your support and it's comforting to know that others understand the experience and what I am going through. I know I am not alone and I know that mom is now at peace.

The sharing and words of encouragement from you both have meant a lot to many people in the forum. Thank you for taking the time to be there for others.

DiscGolfer · Regular Joined: 14 Jan 2008 Posts: 15

Hi Donnita, I am very sorry and sad to hear about the loss of your Mom to SCLC. My Mom recently passed away from SCLC as well and was only 68. She was not diagnosed until it had already spread to her liver. Her battle was short as well and now that she is gone there is a huge hole in my soul. I fondly think of her and recall a lifetime of great memories of Mom. The real comfort is that she is no longer suffering anymore and she is now resting in eternal peace.

I hope and pray that you and your family will find the strength to comfort each other and continue to live your lifes in a way that would make her proud. Please accept my deepest sympathy on the loss of your loving Mother.

Donitta · Posted: Mon Feb 18, 2008 11:54 am Post subject: Sorry for your loss

Hi Discgolfer,
Thank you for sharing your comments and I am sorry for your loss as well. I can relate to your feelings of emptiness in losing your mom. It's only been a few weeks since my mom has passed and I am missing her a great deal.

Did your mom pass from the cancer or other complications? Was she able to complete chemo? My mother had a real rough time with chemo and although she was on all kinds of anti-nausea meds she never was able to feel well and food didn't taste good to her. She had a few good days but she said prior to the day she passed that if she knew how sick she was going to be, and how it was going to affect her total being she most likely would have skipped the chemo and live what she had left enjoying her family. The shingles really took a toll on her as well. She tells me it was more painful than anything she has ever experienced.

None of us knew that the quality of her life would be so miserable the last couple of months. It's a personal decision and I don't know what I would have done in her shoes, but it would have been nice for her to enjoy the short time she had left.

Alghouth dying from the actual lung cancer would have been a terrible road from what people tell me.

One of the things that I have learned through this process is that others have such strong and great memories of her. Although different than mine many people remember mom and they have great stories to share. I am sure you're finding that out about your mom.

I hope you find some comfort and I know things will be easier with time. It's important to have support of friends, family. Best to you and yours.

pbj11 · Site Admin Joined: 12 May 2007 Posts: 1265

Donitta,

A lot of people don't actually die from the lung cancer as the primary cause, but from complications that the lung cancer brings to the body. There are so many heartbreaking scenarios. Lungs, heart, liver, and brain are the usual culprits that are the most seriously affected in terms of bringing about death. Seizures, suffocation, complete hemorrhaging out of the mouth, heart issues that spiral out of control from tumor activity in that area, livers that shut down, etc. etc. are all many of the ways people can go. They can linger in pain for long periods of time or go shockingly fast with no pain. The big problem is, try as you might, you can never anticipate how it will go and you're always caught short. That's my personal observation. My husband went from a combination of sudden onset of heart issues, lung infection, and suffocation. Typically once one area starts to come under attack from the cancer, it snowballs into many other issues.

Prayers for peace for you.

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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