Question?

Lyss · New User Joined: 04 Sep 2008 Posts: 2

Hi Everyone,

My grandmother was recently diagnosed with a pancreatic tumor about a month ago, it has spread to other parts of her body, but we're not too sure where. The doctor's are being really sketchy with the children and grandchildren, and leaving it all a bit of a mystery. It seems the important thing is that she has been given a certain amount of time to live, and no one seems to care why that is specifically, so there's no questions being asked.

After diagnoses and a brief stay in hospital she was told that she had from 6 - 9 months to live. Just last night, however, she has gone into a coma of sorts and isn't waking up.

She's not going to hospital, but has a nurse caring for/monitoring her at the moment. They have taken her off her medication.

I was wondering if anyone could tell me if this is the last stage? Will she wake from the coma? Has anyone experienced something similar? I've assumed that because she has been taken off her medication she's going down hill. I was also wondering if this is what is expected to happen towards the end stages of an inoperable tumor?

Any replies would be greatly valued. Thank you.

brainman · Posted: Fri Sep 05, 2008 1:50 am Post subject: Re: Question?

Oh Lyss, I am so sorry about your grandmother's advanced Pancreatic Cancer. It is hard for anyone of us to tell whether or not this is the last stage or how much longer she has. If she is in a coma, very likely she only has days or weeks rather than months. It really depends on what is causing the coma and can the coma be reversed. If they have taken her off of her medications, they are not trying to reverse her condition Sad

.

You, your grandmother, and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.
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2005 Recurrence this time said to be an Oligodendroglioma grade 3, same location.
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JLC · Regular Joined: 18 May 2008 Posts: 23

Lyss,

I am so sorry about your grandmother. My mother passed away this spring from pancreatic cancer. We were told on Mother's Day that she had six months. She died June 5. This is a nasty, nasty disease and I don't think anyone really knows what will happen once the cancer has "made up its mind" to do what it is going to do. My mother was in a coma for 3 days before she passed.

Maybe this will help. http://www.hospicenet.org/html/preparing_for.html

Brainman is right, there is no way of knowing what is causing the coma.

You and your family are in my hearts and my thoughts. Much love to you.

JLC.
_________________
Dad ~ diagnosed with EC in 2001 and cancer free since 2003.

Mom ~ Passed away June 2008 from pancreatic cancer.

Lyss · New User Joined: 04 Sep 2008 Posts: 2

Thank you very much for both of your replies, it has helped a great deal.

Best wishes.
Lyss

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