Hi Everyone,
My mom was recently diagnosed with Stage IV lung cancer. Like many others, she never smoked a day in her life. Her doctor thinks that she may have gotten the cancer from pneumonia when she was 10. Apparently, cancer is attracted to scar tissue.
The two of us took a wonderful trip to Europe in August. At the time we didn't know she was "loaded" with cancer. We were on the go from early morning to late at night. It is still hard to fathom that someone so sick could keep up with that pace.
She was "officially" diagnosed with cancer on September 30, 2005 by accident. She went to a chiropractor after pulling her back. The xrays showed she had lung cancer and a biopsy a few weeks later confirmed it. Several weeks after that, she had a seizure and that is when we found out she had 13 or so lesions on her brain. More testing confirmed cancer in other parts of her body.
She finished radiation about one and a half months ago and started Tarceva about one month ago.
I have so many questions after reading up on this incurable disease.
My mother CONSTANTLY complains of nausea. Nothing seems to help! She has absolutely no appetite which makes me concerned because in order to fight this, I know she needs to eat.
Has anyone else experienced this? She refuses to take any more pills, hence her not taking the appetite supplement the doctor recommended. She lost 15 lbs since her diagnosis.
I love my mother very much and hate to see her going through this.
I want her to be around for a l-o-n-g time but I am afraid if she doesn't take care of herself, she won't be. She told me because of her nausea and loss of appetite, her quality of life has greatly suffered.
She does have a lot of will power and a lot of support. She is a mighty strong lady.
I am getting married at the end of May and more than anything want my mother to be there.
A lot of the stories I read on this site are quite inspiring.
I am hoping to hear from those who are experiencing a similar situation regarding nausea and loss of appetite. What else can be done? How can someone force themselves to eat when they are so nauseous all of the time?
Thanks.
- Lynda
