My mom after treatment

kurt48708
kurt48708 Member Posts: 3
edited March 2014 in Lung Cancer #1
I am wondering if someone can assist me with some answers about some experiences they have had or witnessed. My mom has undergone chemotherapy for lung cancer that has appeared for the time being to be successful (doctor thinks it is in remission). However, she also has gone through radiation for the cancer spreading to the brain. She was okay duing the radiation (ended about 4 weeks ago), but now she is very weak and unsteady and sleeps all the time. Is this normal or should I be worried that there is more going on? Any thoughts or comments would be welcomed.
Thank you,
Kurt

Comments

  • Diane26
    Diane26 Member Posts: 14
    #2
    Kurt,
    My dad was recently diagnosed with small cell lung cancer that had metastized to his brain before we even knew he had any health problems. We got the diagnosis on 9/25 and he started radiation to his brain that day. He tolerated the 10 treaments well and yesterday started radiation to his lungs. He is currently depending slightly on a walker, but I attribute the unsteadiness to the lesions on certain areas of his brain rather than the radiation, as this was the problem that started the ball rolling and existed prior to any treatment. Extreme fatigue is to be expected with radiation. I finished 6 weeks of radiation for breast cancer about 3 weeks ago and am far more tired now than while I was in the midst of it. Because radiation is cumulative, you'd see more of this after the completion of the treatments than during them. The fatigue will improve but I'm told it may take a long time. I'm happy to hear that the chemo put your mom's lung cancer into remission and I hope that she has much success with the radiation to her brain. She's lucky to have you in her corner. Keep the faith, Diane
  • kurt48708
    kurt48708 Member Posts: 3
    #3
    Diane26 said:

    Kurt,
    My dad was recently diagnosed with small cell lung cancer that had metastized to his brain before we even knew he had any health problems. We got the diagnosis on 9/25 and he started radiation to his brain that day. He tolerated the 10 treaments well and yesterday started radiation to his lungs. He is currently depending slightly on a walker, but I attribute the unsteadiness to the lesions on certain areas of his brain rather than the radiation, as this was the problem that started the ball rolling and existed prior to any treatment. Extreme fatigue is to be expected with radiation. I finished 6 weeks of radiation for breast cancer about 3 weeks ago and am far more tired now than while I was in the midst of it. Because radiation is cumulative, you'd see more of this after the completion of the treatments than during them. The fatigue will improve but I'm told it may take a long time. I'm happy to hear that the chemo put your mom's lung cancer into remission and I hope that she has much success with the radiation to her brain. She's lucky to have you in her corner. Keep the faith, Diane

    Diane,
    I am sorry to hear about your father..so soon after your treatment too. I appreciate your comments and help. I just worry so much about her. It is so painful to be so helpless. You will be in my prayers too.
  • kurt48708
    kurt48708 Member Posts: 3
    #4
    Diane26 said:

    Kurt,
    My dad was recently diagnosed with small cell lung cancer that had metastized to his brain before we even knew he had any health problems. We got the diagnosis on 9/25 and he started radiation to his brain that day. He tolerated the 10 treaments well and yesterday started radiation to his lungs. He is currently depending slightly on a walker, but I attribute the unsteadiness to the lesions on certain areas of his brain rather than the radiation, as this was the problem that started the ball rolling and existed prior to any treatment. Extreme fatigue is to be expected with radiation. I finished 6 weeks of radiation for breast cancer about 3 weeks ago and am far more tired now than while I was in the midst of it. Because radiation is cumulative, you'd see more of this after the completion of the treatments than during them. The fatigue will improve but I'm told it may take a long time. I'm happy to hear that the chemo put your mom's lung cancer into remission and I hope that she has much success with the radiation to her brain. She's lucky to have you in her corner. Keep the faith, Diane

    Diane,
    Just thought I would let you know that I have heard more on my mom and her problems have extended to her spine. She has some tumors on her spine that are causing her problems. They will now radiate the spine. I am optimistic but very worried.
    Kurt
  • mschaben
    mschaben Member Posts: 87
    #5
    kurt48708 said:

    Diane,
    Just thought I would let you know that I have heard more on my mom and her problems have extended to her spine. She has some tumors on her spine that are causing her problems. They will now radiate the spine. I am optimistic but very worried.
    Kurt

    Kurt,

    My mom found out in June that she had a brain tumor. Two days after that she had brain surgery. She came out of it pretty good considering. She has a grade 4 glioblastoma multiforme. Which is a very agressive tumor that will come back. She went through seven weeks of radiation. She also was doing IV chemo treatments every eight weeks. They did a MRI last month and noticed that the tumor is already growing back. So they started her on a high dose chemo pill called temodar. They did another MRI yesterday and will now the results Thursday. They are hoping to slow the growth down so they don't have to do surgery again right away. The doctors told her she will never be rid of it, because it will always grow back. That is very discouraging. She is very very tired and doesn't feel well at all from all the treatments. It is very had to see her like that. She is only 59 years old. She is not ready to give up yet. How is your mother doing? If you or anyone else can relate to my mom's cancer please respond. Thanks.

    Mary

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