Not good news for mom

Ginny_B · February 2012

Mom's CT/PET scan were not as we hoped. The cancer is in her nodes and there is a spot (not the word the doc used) in her back. He suspects that is what is causing her such bad back pain. Seems the chemo/rads did not work as hoped. Also, her pain meds are no longer effective, so he has upped the strength of her morphine. He said Hospice will be in touch.

He did offer one more option - Erbitux in combination with the internal radiation. He told me to take a week and think about this. Discuss with my mom and my brother. Mom wants to try another round of chemo, so I'll call the oncologist today and we'll get started. The internal radiation starts tomorrow - first of 4 treatments.

Mom will be 85 in April and is frail. It's going to be difficult for her.

sangora · February 2012

A Real Trooper
At her age, I would say that Mom is a real trooper. I really respect her spoonk. Will be praying that this course gives some relief and that she is able to tolerate the treatments. With much prayer, Sam Stage IV

paul61 · February 2012

So sorry to hear this news
Ginny,

I am sorry to hear that the scan results were not what you had hoped for. Your Mom is one strong lady if she has decided to continue with another round of chemotherapy and radiation. She is fortunate that she will have your loving support as she goes forward.

Best Regards,

Paul Adams
McCormick, South Carolina

DX 10/22/2009 T2N1M0 Stage IIB
12/03/2009 Ivor Lewis
2/8 through 6/14/2010 Adjuvant Chemo Cisplatin, Epirubicin, 5 FU
Two year survivor

Life may not be the party we hoped for, but while we are here we might as well dance!

birdiequeen · February 2012

Hard to read
Its so hard to read the scans did not show a good response to treatment. I have come to admire your Mom and you so.

Take Care,
Lee Ann

prettywoman513 · February 2012

As long as your mom is
As long as your mom is willing to still fight, I would go 100%. I am praying for you and your family to have the strength and courage you need to help in this fight. I know it is a scary time right now. You are all dealing with a lot.

Unknown · February 2012

This comment has been removed by the Moderator

JReed · February 2012

Mom's PET/CT scan results
Ginny:

So sorry to read this news about mom. I'm sure that you and your brother and mom will make the best decision possible for mom. This is not only difficult for her, but for you and brother as well.

So glad you are there for mom - I'm sure she is very comforted knowing you are right there with her.

Please keep us posted on her progress (and yours)

Love and hugs,
Judy

TerryV · February 2012

Mom is a determined soul
Ginny,

Your mom must be very strong willed. Our prayers will be with you as you move foward or even if your mom just opts to move "sideways". Her strength and strong will will be your guidance.

Know you are in our thoughts. Love, prayers & many hugs to you all!

Terry

sandy1943 · February 2012

Very disapointing news. If
Very disapointing news. If she chooses to continue treatment hospice will not come in until all treatment stops.
Praying for this strong lady, and for you. Have you received your test results?
Sandra

Court_Ren · February 2012

sandy1943 said:
Very disapointing news. If
Very disapointing news. If she chooses to continue treatment hospice will not come in until all treatment stops.
Praying for this strong lady, and for you. Have you received your test results?
Sandra

I am so sorry to hear this.
I am so sorry to hear this. We lost my husbands Aunt to breast cancer last week. She went home on hospice. Her cancer had just gone to far. Your mom is a strong lady to fight this at her age. It is amazing. What ever the decision we all know that she has a wonderful person like you to be by her side. Please let us know how things go. Prayers for your family
God bless.
Court

cher76 · February 2012

Hospice and treatment
I am sorry to hear this news. Please check into your mom's insurance and see how they cover hospice. Many insurances are now allowing you to have hospice and still seek treatment. This is what we had for Rickie. Our insurance is Aetna, and they called it Compassionate Care. It allowed Oddessy Hospice to come and yet we could still have chemo etc. Many people do not know that this is available.
Rickie was also on Erbitux for the last 6 months of his life. I am convinced it is what got him that far. He was talking it along with Irinotechan. The side effects from the erbitux were mainly skin issues as it effects the soft tissues of the body. Small pimple like things popped out all over his body a few days after a chemo treatment.The doctor gave us some medicine (cylindomyicin I believe) that we dabbed on and that would clear them up. Also he would get cracks on his fingers on the edges of his nails. It was while he was getting this that he had a seve bout with diarrhea, but we were told that was from the Irinotechan. He also was given Sandostatin for that, and Neulasta for low blood counts.
Rickie always had the pain in his back. His had metastisied to his spine and they felt that was what caused the back pain. He was always getting up and moving around to try to ease that pain. Know that I am keeping you both in my prayers.
Cheryl
Wife of Rickie, dx stage IV EC, Oct. 2010
Mets to bones and brains
Deceased Jan. 4, 2012

Ginny_B · March 2012

cher76 said:
Hospice and treatment
I am sorry to hear this news. Please check into your mom's insurance and see how they cover hospice. Many insurances are now allowing you to have hospice and still seek treatment. This is what we had for Rickie. Our insurance is Aetna, and they called it Compassionate Care. It allowed Oddessy Hospice to come and yet we could still have chemo etc. Many people do not know that this is available.
Rickie was also on Erbitux for the last 6 months of his life. I am convinced it is what got him that far. He was talking it along with Irinotechan. The side effects from the erbitux were mainly skin issues as it effects the soft tissues of the body. Small pimple like things popped out all over his body a few days after a chemo treatment.The doctor gave us some medicine (cylindomyicin I believe) that we dabbed on and that would clear them up. Also he would get cracks on his fingers on the edges of his nails. It was while he was getting this that he had a seve bout with diarrhea, but we were told that was from the Irinotechan. He also was given Sandostatin for that, and Neulasta for low blood counts.
Rickie always had the pain in his back. His had metastisied to his spine and they felt that was what caused the back pain. He was always getting up and moving around to try to ease that pain. Know that I am keeping you both in my prayers.
Cheryl
Wife of Rickie, dx stage IV EC, Oct. 2010
Mets to bones and brains
Deceased Jan. 4, 2012

Thanks, Cheryl. I hope you
Thanks, Cheryl. I hope you are doing ok. This must be so hard for you. Mom sounds just like Rickie. She has already had boils pop up all over her body. They are treated with hot wash cloths. One was infected and she was given antibiotics. So far no more lumps.

I was told by Hospice that they don't come in if curative treatment is being given. I will double check with Oncology when I see them next week.

Mom has had issues with fecal impaction several times (Horrible), then she was getting the runs. Is there no balance! Sheesh! I have read about the side effects of Erbitux. I just made the call to the Oncologist's office today that mom wants to go with it and radiation and hold off on hospice for now. We do have a home nurse who comes once a week.

Hugs to you Cheryl as you progress through your grief. Thank you for your help.

Ucsf_smile · March 2012

Hi Ginny-
I'm so sorry to
Hi Ginny-
I'm so sorry to hear this. My mom also has back pain after MIE this past Thanksgiving. There are spots in her latest CT...I think all signs point to recurrence :-\

Not good news for mom

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