Mom Stage IV.

2

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  • MadeInMichigan
    MadeInMichigan Member Posts: 35
    #22
    Trubrit said:

    Hard news

    I'm so sorry for your mum and for you. Its definitely not news anyone likes to hear. 

    May you both have the strength to travel this journey and try to keep your head above water and enjoy your times together. 

    Blessings.

    Just an update. She told me

    Just an update. She told me today that she was having an allergic reaction to the chemo she's getting... not sure of the name, but it's one she said she's had for quite awhile.

  • MadeInMichigan
    MadeInMichigan Member Posts: 35
    #23
    MadeInMichigan said:

    Just an update. She told me

    Just an update. She told me today that she was having an allergic reaction to the chemo she's getting... not sure of the name, but it's one she said she's had for quite awhile.

    Another update...

    and also a question. Last week my mom had a fever of about 101 or 102 that went away after a day. Last night she had a fever of 103, and now it's 102. Is this typical?

  • Lovekitties
    Lovekitties Member Posts: 3,364 Member
    #24
    MadeInMichigan said:

    Another update...

    and also a question. Last week my mom had a fever of about 101 or 102 that went away after a day. Last night she had a fever of 103, and now it's 102. Is this typical?

    A call to Onc is necessary

    Please have her or someone on her behalf call the oncologist ASAP.  A fever is not something which should go unreported. 

    Marie who loves kitties

  • MadeInMichigan
    MadeInMichigan Member Posts: 35
    #25
    She's going to urgent care.

    She's going to urgent care. She's pretty sure (and it looks like it is) that she has cellulitis on one of her legs. To top everything off, she's a diabetic. Hopefully they keep her overnight.

  • Trubrit
    Trubrit Member Posts: 5,804 Member
    #26
    MadeInMichigan said:

    She's going to urgent care.

    She's going to urgent care. She's pretty sure (and it looks like it is) that she has cellulitis on one of her legs. To top everything off, she's a diabetic. Hopefully they keep her overnight.

    Prayers

    I'll be thinking of your mum and hoping that they get everything sorted. 

    Blessings.

  • UncleBuddy
    UncleBuddy Member Posts: 1,019 Member
    #27
    MadeInMichigan said:

    She's going to urgent care.

    She's going to urgent care. She's pretty sure (and it looks like it is) that she has cellulitis on one of her legs. To top everything off, she's a diabetic. Hopefully they keep her overnight.

    I hope

    you were able to convince her to go to urgent cRE. My brother's doctor told me if he had any fever, rush him to the hospital. With his last bout of chemo in 2012, he had a fever and it ended up being a blood clot. They put him on blood thinners and kept and eye on it and all went well after that. A fever is not something to fool around with. I wish your mom well.

  • MadeInMichigan
    MadeInMichigan Member Posts: 35
    #28
    Thank you.

    I appreciate it. I feel like I act inappropriately given the severity of what she's going through. It's like I've just been in shock for the past few years for the most part. I know seemingly minor problems can become huge ones in people who are on chemo, OR diabetic. Having her be both has me worried, but I'm hopeful.

  • UncleBuddy
    UncleBuddy Member Posts: 1,019 Member
    #29
    MadeInMichigan said:

    Thank you.

    I appreciate it. I feel like I act inappropriately given the severity of what she's going through. It's like I've just been in shock for the past few years for the most part. I know seemingly minor problems can become huge ones in people who are on chemo, OR diabetic. Having her be both has me worried, but I'm hopeful.

    fight the good fight

    We can only do as much as they allow us. It sounds like you're doing the best you can to help your mom. It is tough being a caregiver, or a relative, especially if you don't live nearby. Fevers can always be dangerous for chemo patients, so it's important for your mom to stay on top of that. My brother was hospitalized several times for fevers during chemo. It ended up being a clot behind his port, so they had to put him on blood thinners. Now that his cancer is back, the port is in and chemo is restarted, he is on baby aspirin as a blood thinner. We'll see if this works for him. Cancer sucks! I wish you and your family well. Make sure you take care of yourself too. Caregivers tend to worry so much about the cancer patient and put off their own health. Make sure you're getting your own check ups and eating well. :)

  • MadeInMichigan
    MadeInMichigan Member Posts: 35
    #30
    She's home.

    She got out after a couple days. Had a few bags of antibiotic, and now has to take pills for awhile until it completely clears up. As for the second opinion, I've asked her about that, and she won't do it. She basically says "They won't be able to do anything different for me, they'd use the same drugs." and "I like my doctor.", so that's that.

  • Phil64
    Phil64 Member Posts: 838 Member
    #31
    Second opinions

    I read your post. I also live in Michigan. I started by going to Battle Creek MI cancer center. Later switched to U of Michigan Health System (UMHS). From my perspective there is a huge difference in expertise. Wishing you the best!

  • MadeInMichigan
    MadeInMichigan Member Posts: 35
    #32
    MadeInMichigan said:

    She's home.

    She got out after a couple days. Had a few bags of antibiotic, and now has to take pills for awhile until it completely clears up. As for the second opinion, I've asked her about that, and she won't do it. She basically says "They won't be able to do anything different for me, they'd use the same drugs." and "I like my doctor.", so that's that.

    It's been about three months,

    It's been about three months, and the numbers just keep creeping up and up. Seems like it will really only get worse and not any better at this point. I obviously try to stay positive, but yeah. She missed the phone call today and her doctor wouldn't say the numbers over the phone (for whatever reason), which is only a bad sign, considering he's left messages before.

    It's just frustrating. It's also still ridiculous to me that it's already been nearly three years -- I have no idea how, and I wish it wouldn't.

  • lp1964
    lp1964 Member Posts: 1,239 Member
    #33
    MadeInMichigan said:

    It's been about three months,

    It's been about three months, and the numbers just keep creeping up and up. Seems like it will really only get worse and not any better at this point. I obviously try to stay positive, but yeah. She missed the phone call today and her doctor wouldn't say the numbers over the phone (for whatever reason), which is only a bad sign, considering he's left messages before.

    It's just frustrating. It's also still ridiculous to me that it's already been nearly three years -- I have no idea how, and I wish it wouldn't.

    Dear Friend,

    What can one say in situations like this. I'm sorry you have to go through this. Just do one day at a time, because thinking in any bigger than that gets overwhelming. We always have control over one day, to fill it with good things and tolerate its trials.

    I wish you the strength to carry on.

    Laz

  • MadeInMichigan
    MadeInMichigan Member Posts: 35
    #34
    lp1964 said:

    Dear Friend,

    What can one say in situations like this. I'm sorry you have to go through this. Just do one day at a time, because thinking in any bigger than that gets overwhelming. We always have control over one day, to fill it with good things and tolerate its trials.

    I wish you the strength to carry on.

    Laz

    Thank you.

    She was told today that her numbers have gone from 165 to about 340... in a month. I'd try to find a positive to that, but there isn't one. Doctor's ordered a PET scan for next week.

  • UncleBuddy
    UncleBuddy Member Posts: 1,019 Member
    #35
    MadeInMichigan said:

    Thank you.

    She was told today that her numbers have gone from 165 to about 340... in a month. I'd try to find a positive to that, but there isn't one. Doctor's ordered a PET scan for next week.

    With stage 4 cancer, you have

    With stage 4 cancer, you have to take it one day at a time. You sound frantic, just like I was, when i found out that my 49 year old brother has stage 4 cancer. All I saw were the statistics. Then I read so many posts on this board where stage 4 patients were still around 5+ years later. My brother keeps telling me that he's not going anywhere. He almost died this past week and I believe he has an iron strong will to live. His family doctor told me not to count him out, that he is a fighter and he just may fool us all. Who knows? All I know is that I cherish everyday that he is with us. Once he is able to travel, I am going to take him on a trip. Take some time to spend with your mom. Talk to her. I know things may look grim right now, but she is still here. Try to enjoy whatever time she has. As caregivers, it is so hard to watch our loved ones get so sick and we worry so very much. You will not do your mom any good if you get sick. Please take care of yourself.

    Lin

  • MadeInMichigan
    MadeInMichigan Member Posts: 35
    #36
    I appreciate the response.

    I appreciate the response. It's just hard, obviously, and only compounded by the fact that my cat was put down this morning. It's a damn good thing I'm not suicidal, but I feel like I got hit by a truck anyway.

    Her PT scan will be in a few days. I'll post the results here, though I know what to expect, I think. Sorry for sounding so whiny by the way.

  • Trubrit
    Trubrit Member Posts: 5,804 Member
    #37
    MadeInMichigan said:

    I appreciate the response.

    I appreciate the response. It's just hard, obviously, and only compounded by the fact that my cat was put down this morning. It's a damn good thing I'm not suicidal, but I feel like I got hit by a truck anyway.

    Her PT scan will be in a few days. I'll post the results here, though I know what to expect, I think. Sorry for sounding so whiny by the way.

    Whine away

    We're here to listen to all of your concerns. Don't think of it a whining, if you need to vent, we're here to listen.

    I'm so sorry to hear that your cat passed away. Animals can be such a comfort. 

    Keep your chin up, we'll help you through. 

  • MadeInMichigan
    MadeInMichigan Member Posts: 35
    #38
    Trubrit said:

    Whine away

    We're here to listen to all of your concerns. Don't think of it a whining, if you need to vent, we're here to listen.

    I'm so sorry to hear that your cat passed away. Animals can be such a comfort. 

    Keep your chin up, we'll help you through. 

    I am envious of the strength

    I am envious of the strength of all of you here. My mom. Anybody going through what so many people on this forum are going through. I don't know how you do it.

    Instead of scientists going back and forth with all the useless studies I see at least once a day in articles, more effort needs to be made on things that actually matter -- like "the 'C' word."

  • MadeInMichigan
    MadeInMichigan Member Posts: 35
    #39
    MadeInMichigan said:

    I am envious of the strength

    I am envious of the strength of all of you here. My mom. Anybody going through what so many people on this forum are going through. I don't know how you do it.

    Instead of scientists going back and forth with all the useless studies I see at least once a day in articles, more effort needs to be made on things that actually matter -- like "the 'C' word."

    Been awhile. Just a little

    Been awhile. Just a little update:

    Just going along. She's stressing out because of really dry skin on her face. She had cellulitis for the second time in two months on her leg. On and off back pelvic pain from a tumor back there. Obviously hopes her numbers will go down with her next test, but hasn't had much chemo the past two weeks due to the cellulitis and the holidays. She's been sleeping a lot more.

  • MadeInMichigan
    MadeInMichigan Member Posts: 35
    #40
    MadeInMichigan said:

    Been awhile. Just a little

    Been awhile. Just a little update:

    Just going along. She's stressing out because of really dry skin on her face. She had cellulitis for the second time in two months on her leg. On and off back pelvic pain from a tumor back there. Obviously hopes her numbers will go down with her next test, but hasn't had much chemo the past two weeks due to the cellulitis and the holidays. She's been sleeping a lot more.

    Another Update.

    Her numbers went down, but I heard her talking on the phone and apparently her doctor told her (but she didn't tell me) she has about 6mo/1yr left if she's lucky. I know to go day-by-day, but it's already been 6 months since I made this thread. Time goes by a bit too fast.

  • fatbob2010
    fatbob2010 Member Posts: 467 Member
    #41
    So Sorry

    So sorry to hear this, has to be hard for you.  Yes, time does seem to go too fast.  Not only hard for you, but also can be unbearable for your Mom.  I hope that you can find comfort in the time you have with her.  Comfort and peace to all of you.  Art

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