My mom has lost her will and is having hallucinations.

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mdnikki
mdnikki Member Posts: 34
edited March 2014 in Caregivers #1
She has been diagnosed with lung cancer via an MRI and biopsy. She has an 8 cm mass on her lung. She has yet to start chemo becuase she isn't strong enough. She went from being in the hospital to a rehab facility.

She has started to give up hope. Originally she wanted to get the process moving and get the chemo started but we have had so many setbacks, she fell and landed on her arm and now has no use of her right arm. She got pneumonia. She is frail and weak and now really wants to die. She has lost any hope. I just don't know what to say to her. I don't see her as strong enough to go through with the chemo but I want to encourage her to make her own decisions.

She has started to have halucinations. Could the cancer have spread to her brain? We have yet to have a PET scan. We are trying to work with the rehab center to get her the test but it is an insurance nightmare and she would have to leave the facility to go to a radiology office and I just don't know if we can move her at this time.

I don't know what is best for her. Yesterday was extremely difficult she just keep telling us to let her go..she has lost what little will she has left.

What causes hallucinations? When is it time for hospice...I don't know what to do for her?

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  • Barbara53
    Barbara53 Member Posts: 652
    #2
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    inpatient hospice?
    Only God knows if your mother is ready to go, but if that’s what she is asking for, why not give her your permission to go or to stay? It might be time to back away from the medical details and concentrate on spiritual matters to help your mother get more comfortable. Just because our society refuses to honor death doesn't mean that you and your family can't.

    Sometimes hallucinations are metaphorical communications, so listen to them even if they don’t make sense. Also, visits from loved ones who have passed on is a very common occurrence when people are “actively dying,” and these visits often bring the patient much comfort.

    Is it possible to get some hospice expertise? Some hospitals have inpatient “hospice beds” for inpatient hospice care. Doctors and nurses who work the cure track are often baffled when things turn in another direction, but hospice people know what to do. Call an agency and see if they can help.
  • grandmafay
    grandmafay Member Posts: 1,633 Member
    #3
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    Call Hospice
    Yes, call hospice. They can give you some direction and help. If your mom has decided that she doesn't want to fight the cancer, she does have that right. You might want to suggest that she wait until she feels better before she makes that decision. Right now, I'm sure that she is just sick and tired of being sick and tired. Let her know that you will respect whatever decision she makes. That is not easy, but, again, it is her decision. Hallucinations are not unusual with cancer. My husband had a few toward the end, and as far as I know, he had no brain involvement. Take care, and contact hospice. They usually have a social worker who can meet with you and your mom. Fay
  • mdnikki
    mdnikki Member Posts: 34
    #4
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    grandmafay said:

    Call Hospice
    Yes, call hospice. They can give you some direction and help. If your mom has decided that she doesn't want to fight the cancer, she does have that right. You might want to suggest that she wait until she feels better before she makes that decision. Right now, I'm sure that she is just sick and tired of being sick and tired. Let her know that you will respect whatever decision she makes. That is not easy, but, again, it is her decision. Hallucinations are not unusual with cancer. My husband had a few toward the end, and as far as I know, he had no brain involvement. Take care, and contact hospice. They usually have a social worker who can meet with you and your mom. Fay

    Thank you so much for you
    Thank you so much for you reply. They found out she has a UTI and who knew that can cause delusion and hallucinations in the elderly. They did do an MRI of her head yesterday but last night she was actually having very relevant conversations and no delusions. So who knows. The mass has grown from 8-11 cm but the oncologist still says it is very treatable and he will begin chemo as soon as her infection is gone.
  • grandmafay
    grandmafay Member Posts: 1,633 Member
    #5
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    mdnikki said:

    Thank you so much for you
    Thank you so much for you reply. They found out she has a UTI and who knew that can cause delusion and hallucinations in the elderly. They did do an MRI of her head yesterday but last night she was actually having very relevant conversations and no delusions. So who knows. The mass has grown from 8-11 cm but the oncologist still says it is very treatable and he will begin chemo as soon as her infection is gone.

    Happy
    I am happy they were able to figure out what was going on besides the cancer. It sounds like your mom is now open to treatment. That is a real step forward. Best wishes, Fay.

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