Questions about Stage IV w/brain metatasis

DebGue · New User Joined: 12 Jan 2006 Posts: 1

My mother (65 years old - non smoker) was diagnosed with NSC lung cancer just before Christmas. A recent brain scan showed 3 large masses in various "silent" areas of the brain. We received the results this Wednesday and she has been started on Dexamethasone to reduce the swelling that the scan showed. She will be starting her 15 treatments of radiation on Monday. M-Friday for three weeks. We have decided to do the treatments locally on the advice of the doctor that we saw out of state at JH. He told me that my mother only had a few months with radiation treatment and just a few weeks before she would most likely need me to possibly move in to offer her assistance. It is all very unbelievable to me as she has no symptoms other than a cough. I do notice a little confusion when she talks but nothing horrible. The time frame is just unbelievable to me. Does anyone have experience with something such as this? I even called the doctor back to make sure I had heard him correctly and he did tell me that most people in her circumstances only have a few months. Thanks for any input..... sorry this is kind of rambling. I cant remember if this posts my email or not but if anyone wants to email me privately you can send to dguelette@capital.k12.de.us or saveahorse@aol.com

Thanks again,
Deb

Deb

Tompkin · Regular Joined: 11 Aug 2005 Posts: 15

Hi Deb,

I am sorry, I know how hard it is. If you have the time to research (which I know you most likely don't) you'll find the average time for this stage to be less than one year and most more like 6 months. I am not a doctor but my dad passed away last year from Stage IV NSCLC with brain mets. Be sure to check the side effects of whatever your moms treatment is vs how much time it will afford her. If you have the time to read through this site I think it will be worth it. I am so sorry.
Debbie

Remus · New User Joined: 26 Sep 2005 Posts: 7

Hi Deb -

So sorry to hear what you're going through - it's a rough ride. Obviously I can't comment directly on your Mom but I can share my current experience.

My mother (62) was diagnosed with lung cancer in Aug. 2004. Surgery, chemo etc...and she seemed to be doing okay. Then last July they discovered a brain met. Again, immediate surgery followed by 10 sessions of whole brain radiation. She didn't bounce back so quickly and as things seemed to be getting worse the neurosurgeon recommended another surgery to reduce the swelling in the brain and remove part of the existing tumour.

While in recovery she suffered a massive seizure. They put her on anti-seizure meds and eventually sent her home. About a week later she had further seizures and was rushed back to the hospital. After about three weeks in the hospital, the seizures seemed to be under control but she was quickly getting weaker. She was discharged about 11 days ago. At home, we arranged for wheelchairs, commodes, hospital beds, nursing care - all in the last week as she has progressively become less lucid and too weak to get out of bed. She has stopped eating and drinking no matter what we offer.

In a nutshell, the doctors just told us yesterday that she probably only had a couple of weeks left. Needless to say we are all devastated but more than that completely shocked at how quickly she has regressed. The doctors felt that with the second brain surgery that she could expect 6-12 months of "quality" time. It's hard to say if the surgery was the right move after all (hindsight is always perfect) but I do think that she was on a downward slope regardless.

I guess I'm just trying to say that it's truly incredible how insidious this disease is - how the symptoms can be masked and then suddenly show themselves.

I would respect what the doctors are telling you no matter how unbelievable it seems because we just don't know enough to accurately predict what will occur. My advice to you would be to try to set up some home care so that you're spending the time with your mother enjoying each other, not taking care of her. It's a tough place to be emotionally and physically without taking on the added responsibility of nursing.

I wish you all the best and hope that whatever happens that both you and your mother will be at peace.

Karynn

Lana8 · Posted: Mon Jan 30, 2006 12:01 am Post subject: I am so sorry****

Deb,
I am so sorry to here about your news. I will try to give you a little of what happened to me and my twin sister. Last March my sister came to Washington State to attend a wedding. When she got off the plane she could hardly breath. When I got her to my house I took her to the emergency room doctor. They took a x-ray and said she had pnemonia.
Can't spell. She was put on antibiotics and flew home one week later. After getting home within one month she was having trouble breathing. She again went to the hospital in Texas. They ran several batteries of tests on her and said she had stage IV lung cancer with mets to the brain. They suggested she go home, call in hospice and prepare for death. She did go to the cancer clinic in San Antonio, where they said they could give her radiation to the brain. She said no, that she wanted to remember her children when she died. This all took place on April 27, 2005. I was called to Texas on May 31, to be with her because one lung had already filled with fluid. I got there and had one week with her. She was in pretty good spirits, but you could tell she was ill. It was good to be with her that one week. God how I wish it would have been longer. She passed on June 11, three days after our 60th birthday. Be with her, and enjoy what time you do have together. Again, I am so sorry. John Wayne was her idol and she had all of his movies. I am sure she got to see "The High and the Mighty before I did on TV. Come to think of it, she is with John Wayne. God Bless You.
Twin Sister of Linda who really misses her. Lana

	Cancer Forums Forum Index -> Lung Cancer Forum	All times are GMT - 5 Hours
Page 1 of 1

A website for discussions about any type of cancer, including lung cancer, breast cancer, mesothelioma, prostate cancer, laryngeal cancer, leukemia, lymphoma, multiple myeloma and others