Cath
New User
Joined: 14 Apr 2008
Posts: 1
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 Posted: Sat Apr 19, 2008 11:51 am Post subject: My mom has lung cancer |
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Hi there,
I live in Vancouver, BC...is this forum mostly in the UK or is this a worldwide forum? Just curious...either way, I've found it so helpful to read through all the posts.
Anyways, 6 years ago my mom had breast cancer, which was treated with radiation and surgery (just to remove the cancer, not a full mastectomy). About 3 months ago she found a lump in her neck, after an ultrasound, biopsy, cat scan and bone scan we found out that it is a new cancer that started in her lung, traveled behind her breastbone in her chest wall and up into the lymphnodes in her neck. I've had trouble getting straight answers from the dr. is this stage 3 or stage 4? It is non-small cell and she is being treated with chemo only. The dr. said if the chemo works, she'll be here for Christmas. What does that mean?
The most confusing thing, is that she doesn't seem sick! She's done 2 sessions of chemo and she isn't sick or anything, she's happy and energetic. How can she be so sick but so well at the same time? Will it all of a sudden hit her hard? Has anyone else experienced this? I would love to hear about your experiences, and don't worry - be bruatally honest - I can take it. I need to hear it.
Thanks!!
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helensgirl
Senior User
Joined: 21 Dec 2007
Posts: 129
Location: north carolina
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| Posted: Sat Apr 19, 2008 12:58 pm Post subject: Re: My mom has lung cancer |
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Hi,
So sorry to hear of your mother's illness...Sending you prayers and positive thoughts. My beautiful, vivacious(sp?) mother had been coughing a lot, and some pain in her back, when she decided to get it checked out. So, she went to her family doctor and he told her she was suffering from a hiatal hernia, which was causing the cough. I knew something was wrong with that explanation to begin with...so, her doc did an x-ray just as a precaution. The test showed spots on her lungs...this was in May 07. They proceded to do a CT and PET test as well, which confirmed NSCLC, (non-small cell), stage IV. Needless to say, we were all devastated, but she was firey and had the fight in her. At first, they wanted to do only palliative radiation...just for pain control, and not do chemo b/c of her age, (she was a VERY young 80 years young). But then they decided to do chemo b/c she was so young for her age. They started with Carbo/Taxol combo, which she did very well with, but had some neuropathy in her finger tips and toes. The Procrit was the hard part for her, she got very tired and had apin in her bones. Then the doc decided to put her on Gemzar chemo, which was the downfall of her entire journey. It made her so weak that all she did all day was lay down and sleep. She was a fighter, like I said, so she would try to get up, but couldn't do much. She remained positive until she got pneumonia, went into the hospital, and they told her, unbenounced to us, that she had just weeks left to live...after that, she was always in deep thought, which I can certainly understand...The great thing is, I was able to take time off from work to be with her the last month of her life. We talked and I gave her as much comfort as I possibly could. I told her that I couldn't have had a better mother, that she was beautiful, and that I loved her so much that I couldn't possibly convey it to her through words. Anyway, she got home from the hospital around December 8th, and was alert for about 48 hours. She had gotten a PEG tube or feeding tube in her stomach b/c she couldn't eat without choking/aspirating her food. I fed her and gave her meds through the tube. Anyway, for about 3-4 days before she passed away, she was semi-comatose. She could do things like raise her eyebrows in response to a question, and maybe slightly squeeze your hand, but she was mostly unresponsive. Her cancer had not even metastisized. I think she simply lost hope when those idiots told her that she was dying. So, the family gathered around and had a vigil for the whole week before she passed. I think she hung on for those last 4 days b/c she was enjoying having her family around her--you know, just being us! We had Hospice care that was super. They helped to bathe her and took care of her bedsores--and provided the oxygen. They got me through a couple of breakdowns that I had away from my mother as well. Good people!!!! I slept by her side for 6 straight nights, but went home on the night before she passed--which I'll always regret, as long as I live--b/c I had promised her that I would be holding her hand when the time came. Anyway, my family tells me that she chose to pass when I wasn't there for her own reasons--doesn't really make it better though. On the early morning of December 14th 2007, at about 3:00 am, my gorgeous mom earned her way to Heaven...I'll never be the same...my grief is as intense now as it was on that day--probably worse. I miss her so much. I love her beyond words. And now I'm not afraid of dying b/c I'll be reunited with my mom. So, there's my story--hope I didn't send you into a depression, but you said to be honest no matter what, right? I will hold her in my heart--nothing can take that away! God bless you and your mother. Just take it day-by-day, and let her know how much you care for her--and be strong for her. Take care, Kim in NC, USA
_________________
...keeping the faith in n.c.
Helen, my wonderful mom, diagnosed May, 07
fought-stage 4 NSCLC, (adenocarcinoma)
earned her place in Heaven, Dec. 14th, 07 |
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