loss of memory

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aunti_m
aunti_m Member Posts: 41
edited March 2014 in Esophageal Cancer #1
Hi all, over the past few days my husband's memory has significanly deteriorated. Yesturday, I had to remind him 5 or 6 times it was Thursday, he doesn't remember conversations with the doctors or the kids and many other things. I've never delt with cancer before, but I assume it's not just the medications he's taking and the cancer has spread to the brain. He's scheduled for a CT scan today of the brain. Has anyone else encountered the cancer spreading to the brain and if so, did they have radiation and did it help?

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  • Donna70
    Donna70 Member Posts: 852 Member
    #2
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    sorry
    Hi,
    So sorry to hear about your husband's memory problems, let us know what happened with the CT scan. I don't know any advice to tell you but I will keep you and him and your family in my prayers. You already have been thru so much as it is. take care,
    Donna70
  • K_ann1015
    K_ann1015 Member Posts: 500
    #3
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    Aunti M
    hope the scans went
    Aunti M

    hope the scans went well.... My mom has said that at times, my dad's memory is not the same as it was before---but I think his could be due to nutrition, low blood sugar etc... But I really don't have much knowledge for sure in this area---just wanted to offer support & prayers.
    Kim
  • aunti_m
    aunti_m Member Posts: 41
    #4
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    K_ann1015 said:

    Aunti M
    hope the scans went
    Aunti M

    hope the scans went well.... My mom has said that at times, my dad's memory is not the same as it was before---but I think his could be due to nutrition, low blood sugar etc... But I really don't have much knowledge for sure in this area---just wanted to offer support & prayers.
    Kim

    Scan was good news
    No evidence of cancer in the brain, I was so worried because not only his memory but his demeanor was different. He was getting his words mixed up like saying Wheel of Jepordy instead of Wheel of Fortune. It must be the pain meds he's on.
    He decided to try a third kind of chemo on Thursday. He took Taxol and Carboplatin but I'm affraid Thursday was his last chemo treatment. He's not doing well at all, he's regergitating anything he puts in his mouth, he has sever ascites in his abdomen, he is in a lot of pain (lower back), nauseous, sore. On Feb. 18 he had a stent put in his bile duct to get rid of the bile backing up. Seems a tumor was closing off the bile duct not allowing it to drain to the liver. He has been such a fighter, like so many on this site. He's at home now and I'm trying to keep him as comfortable as possible. Monday morning I'll be calling hospice to see if what they can help here with. Today is a good day, today my family of 4 is all together at home.
  • Tina Blondek
    Tina Blondek Member Posts: 1,500 Member
    #5
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    aunti_m said:

    Scan was good news
    No evidence of cancer in the brain, I was so worried because not only his memory but his demeanor was different. He was getting his words mixed up like saying Wheel of Jepordy instead of Wheel of Fortune. It must be the pain meds he's on.
    He decided to try a third kind of chemo on Thursday. He took Taxol and Carboplatin but I'm affraid Thursday was his last chemo treatment. He's not doing well at all, he's regergitating anything he puts in his mouth, he has sever ascites in his abdomen, he is in a lot of pain (lower back), nauseous, sore. On Feb. 18 he had a stent put in his bile duct to get rid of the bile backing up. Seems a tumor was closing off the bile duct not allowing it to drain to the liver. He has been such a fighter, like so many on this site. He's at home now and I'm trying to keep him as comfortable as possible. Monday morning I'll be calling hospice to see if what they can help here with. Today is a good day, today my family of 4 is all together at home.

    Hi Auntie M
    Thanks for the
    Hi Auntie M
    Thanks for the update. Glad the cat scan did not show any cancer in his brain. Thank you God! As far as his memory is concerned, there is a thing here called chemo brain. My dad's memory has gotten alot worse as well. We think it is his age, 71, as well as the chemo, and the pain meds. He is taking oxycodone and morphine as needed. The morphine is powerful stuff. He does not like taking it on less he absolutely has too. Makes him way too loopy, lost, and disoriented. My dad is getting close to almost giving up. The chemo treatment is putting him through the ringer this time. Not much of a quality of life for him. Hoping things will get better once the treatments are done. Best of luck to you your husband and family.
    Prayers are said daily. Keep in touch.
    Tina
  • mumphy
    mumphy Member Posts: 440
    #6
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    Tina Blondek said:

    Hi Auntie M
    Thanks for the
    Hi Auntie M
    Thanks for the update. Glad the cat scan did not show any cancer in his brain. Thank you God! As far as his memory is concerned, there is a thing here called chemo brain. My dad's memory has gotten alot worse as well. We think it is his age, 71, as well as the chemo, and the pain meds. He is taking oxycodone and morphine as needed. The morphine is powerful stuff. He does not like taking it on less he absolutely has too. Makes him way too loopy, lost, and disoriented. My dad is getting close to almost giving up. The chemo treatment is putting him through the ringer this time. Not much of a quality of life for him. Hoping things will get better once the treatments are done. Best of luck to you your husband and family.
    Prayers are said daily. Keep in touch.
    Tina

    Hi M
    Just wanted to check in with you. I'm glad that there are no mets to the brain. Tina has just about summed up everything that I was going to say.

    I truley know what you are going through. Hope the next round of chemo helps.

    God Bless,
    Kath

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