Final days..........

ELEANOR · New User Joined: 06 Jun 2008 Posts: 9

After battling breast cancer off and on for almost 23 years, my mother is reaching the end of this ordeal. The cancer spread about 8 years ago to her bones and then to her lungs, liver, kidneys and lymph nodes and still she goes on somehow. She has for all means and purposes stopped eating much of anything and I am now concerned that she may well die of malnutrition instead of the cancer. She is very weak almost to the point of being unable to walk and is on oxygen most of the time. The latest development is sleep walking which is something she has never done. Is this odd or to be expected? She has sitters all night but she's gotten up several times on her own and if she falls with bone cancer who knows what will happen. She has also started showing "purple" nails on her big toes. Any comments on that? One of the hospice people mentioned something about that but I have forgotten what she said.
Thanks for any advice and your comments.
E

Tori · New User Joined: 07 Jun 2008 Posts: 8

Hi Eleanor,

Sorry to hear about your mom's troubles. What a wonderfully brave woman she must be to have been battling for 23 years... WOW!!!

I don't have any advice or medical expertise to pass on, but I want to send my regards & prayers.

Are you an authorized person to be made privvy to her medical file, so that u can ask her doctor/s what the deal is? That's where I would start. Hospice people have knowledge to share from experience, but docs are more likely to give it to you straight based on training, etc. Since they spend all that money on schooling, I'd like to think they have lots of information to share.... lol.....

Force yourself into "the loop" if u really need to know the details. SOMEONE should be telling u what u can do to at least make your mom feel more comfortable.

Best wishes for all that you are dealing with. Your mom is lucky to have such a concerned daughter that took the time to post on here.

Please post updates when they become available.

ELEANOR · New User Joined: 06 Jun 2008 Posts: 9

Thanks, Tori. I appreciate your concerns and comments. I do have power of attorney so I can get anything concerning her medical history but I hoped someone who had gone through this type of cancer would know more about the final days and what to expect. So far she doesn't have a lot of pain and we are all grateful for that.
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Vee Smith · Moderator Joined: 12 Feb 2006 Posts: 789 Location: UK

Hi, Eleanor - I am so sorry that it has come to this stage.

This site gives a good clear explanation: http://tinyurl.com/4frsj7

It is hard for those coping, but knowing what is happening is a real help.

Keep in touch.

ELEANOR · New User Joined: 06 Jun 2008 Posts: 9

Thanks Vee
I think that answered a lot of my questions and will give some guidelines to go by and to take extra precautions in dealing with my Mom.
E

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