VegasMomOf3

Hi there, My Mom had a catheter inserted into her spinal column that is attached to a pump that delivers dilaudid 24/7. She carries the pump around in a little fanny pack. Yes, she has to be careful with the tubing and the catheter entrance site, but this has sure made a HUGE difference in her pain!! My Mom also takes Lyrica....150mg two times per day. My Mom had to see a "pain management" physician to get this done. The only remedy the other doctors had was to up the narcotics which were horrible on Moms stomach and made her woozy and weepy all of the time. The experience we've had with the pain management doctor has been such a blessing!! Donna

Dad just called me with this lovely news. The hospice nurse came for a visit today and completely un-did everything we've been working towards with my Mom's mindset about her illness. My Mom asked the nurse why she was getting additional pain - so what did this @?$*&>% nurse tell her?? It's because she is getting worse and that she will only make it a few more months. AAAARRRRRGGGGGGGGG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! My Dad has spent an enormous amount of time researching homeopathic treatment of cancer, has ordered many items & just a few days ago finally had my Mom in the mental place that yes, we could fight this damn thing and that she would do whatever he found to be the best. She put 110% of her trust in him regarding the naturopathic treatment of her cancer. Once the nurse left, my Mom told Dad what she had said. Needless to say, he's very upset but didn't show that to Mom. He told me that he just shrugged off what the nurse said and told Mom that the nurse is coming from the "modern medicine & big pharma" way of thinking and has absolutely no experience with naturopathic treatment, therefore her explanation was a "canned" response. The mind is such a very important factor in this fight!! Mom's attitude was in "fight mode" for the 1st time since her diagnosis - now that has slipped. Damn, damn, damn!!! Oh please insert this womans neck between my hands so I can "squeeze the charmin"!!!!!!! Dad is going to speak to the nurse when she comes back on Wednesday - if I don't get to her first. AAAAARRRRRRRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGGGGGG!!!!!!! Oh I thank the Lord for this site so I can get my frustrations out on the keyboard. Be Blessed, Donna

WOO-HOO!!! Never, never, never give up hope - this is my new mantra. The doctors gave my Mom 6-9 months...that was 4 months ago.....she is improving daily and went out shopping for a few hours this week!! Yay!!! I am sending good thoughts your way. Be Blessed, Donna

Hi there! Is your dad on oxygen?? Be Blessed, Donna

Face it, people with "foot-in-mouth" syndrome are just lacking in education. I myself have wanted to slap a few people silly but instead I just tell them that I will say a special prayer just for them, asking that they & family never have to walk in the shoes of cancer patients & family members. As I see their jaw grazing the floor, it truly satisfies my desire to knock them out cold, but more importantly I honestly believe it makes them THINK!!! Be Blessed, Donna

Many, many thanks to all of you!! Tonite I plan on reading every one of your replies to Mom & Dad. Bless you all!! Donna

Ned you are tooooooo funny!!! Donna

Hello everyone!! For the past few weeks my Mom has been doing so great. Her appetite has increased, no more nausea, very little pain and she is up and around. When I called my Dad a little while ago, the two of them were at Wild Oats picking up some groceries after doing some other shopping this morning. WOW!!! It's literally been months since Mom went out shopping so needless to say, everyone is on cloud nine. Ok, so to the point: Last night while talking to my Mom on the phone she told me that she has heard of many cancer patients who had an up-swing much like she is having right now before getting real bad and passing away. I've NEVER heard of this - have any of you??? Be Blessed, Donna

Ned, your response was AWESOME!!! I'm all for the "silent treatment" in dealing with those that have the foot-in-mouth syndrome. Be Blessed, Donna

Hawkeye, After I read your post I immediately called my Dad - who is caring for my Mom. I read your post to him which opened up a conversation between he and I. I've just returned from a visit with my folks and I can see that my Dad is doing such a wondrful job of taking care of my Mom, but he's got no down time either. He admits that he is not getting enough rest. I'm going back for another visit in a few weeks and I've suggested that he take a couple of days for himself - I hope he does it. I see that he needs it but it's hard for him to see it. So Hawkeye, what I'm getting to is that you too need this time. It will give you the opportunity to re-charge and be a better care-giver. God bless you for being such an amazing man by sticking by your wife!! Donna

I am so incredibly relieved to be flying to Washington tonight for another visit. I've not been there for 6 weeks now and it has seemed like a lifetime!! Although I speak to my Dad everyday, it's just NEVER the same as being there. My Mom has been in better spirits since starting her new anti-nausea medication. She's no longer vomiting and can actually eat now!! YAY!!! It's amazing how something so simple as eating a good meal can improve a person's overall state. Be Blessed, Donna

I've seen improvement in my Mom since she started the diet. My Dad has her on a slightly different version of the original BP - No animal products or dairy. So Mom is allowed fruit and veggies then the cottage cheese/flax seed oil mixture 2 times per day...my dad mixes in fruit so it comes out like yogurt. My Mom's tongue has turned brown which is a sign that the body is de-toxifying and that the diet is working. If you would like I can get you more info on the diet. Be Blessed, Donna

Thanks so much for the GREAT information!! Be Blessed, Donna

Hi there, Wow!! I just finished reading some of Lori's blog. Thanks so much for the link. My Dad and I were happy to read that Lori has had success with the Budwig diet. My Mom is currently on the Budwig diet and so far we've read great things about it. Be Blessed, Donna

Hi there, Have any of you heard of the "Budwig" diet?? Be Blessed, Donna

Hi there, Is anyone familiar with the "Budwig" diet?? This diet is mostly cottage cheese with flaxseed oil. Just wondering if anyone has tried it and what your experience was. Be Blessed, Donna

Talk to your Mom......talk until you can't talk anymore. Tell your Mom EVERYTHING in your heart and especially how much she means to you. Try asking her how she would like to be remembered by her future grandchildren and you. I'm flying to Washington tonite - my first visit since my Mom's diagnosis. I'm spending a week and plan on starting a journal while I'm there. A friend suggested the journal thing to me - maybe that would be helpful to you. Sending thoughts and prayers your way. Be Blessed, Donna

My thoughts and prayers are with you. Donna

Hi there, As my Mom doesn't want to travel the chemo/radiation route we are on the hunt for alternative ways of managing her cancer. Can any of you recommend websites, companies, names, etc.......... Thanks so very much. Be Blessed, Donna

Everyone who knows about my Mom has asked if she smoked. "Yes" I say - for 40 years and had quit 10 years ago. I never thought to be offended or had any feelings about the question because I was just too caught up in the emotions of dealing with this EVIL disease. Since her diagnosis My Mom has stated "I did this to myself". I told her that back when she started smoking NOBODY knew the risks. Her response to that was "I kept smoking even after knowing the risks later in life". I want to encourage my Mom to realize the full and wonderful life she has had. Living in Las Vegas, seeing people standing on street corners asking for money is all too common. A few years back one of the local news stations did a report about people who do this. They actually caught a couple who each had their different intersections to work - then at the end of the day they walked a short distance and got into a shiny brand new truck and drove away. This report also showed a few people who were holding signs that said "will work for food" turning down work - they just wanted the money!! Since that news report I've NEVER given money. I will provide food, water & prayer. Be Blessed, Donna

Thank you all so very much for your prayers, thoughts & supportive words. Is it strange to say that although I've not met any of you, I feel a "kinship" of sorts? Mom is having a follow-up appointment with her Oncologist today. Hopefully the upper respiratory infection is gone. I spoke to my Dad about the conversation I had with Mom. He told me that she had shared it with him too. I feel that he is realizing so much more now. There seems to be a shift of sorts. Be Blessed, Donna

Hi there, I spoke with my Mom a little while ago. She began crying on the phone which is tearing me up inside. She is now on oxygen 24/7 and has been fighting some sort of respiratory infection this week and has been taking antibiotics. So on top of the cancer, she is feeling worse from the infection. My Dad had to go out of town for 2 days so my Aunt has been staying with her. My Mom told me that she was glad to have the 2 days without Dad because it allowed her to make some difficult decisions without having to look at his "sad puppy dog eyes". She says she is getting worse quickly and doesn't want to have any more tests. She wants to try and have as much "quality" time left as she can. She says that she knows that Dad wants her to fight but she just doesn't have it in her and she knows it is going to break his heart. She worries about him once she's gone. I assured her that in time he will understand and accept her decision like we will all have to. OH GOSH I SO HATE THIS DAMN SNEAKY MISERABLE DISEASE!!!!!!!!! She said "how could I have not known I was sick?" I told her that I have read stories here of the same kind - people who had no idea until they went to the doctor with some kind of pain. She's mad at herself for not knowing. She was sobbing on the phone......I'm sobbing now. I have 2 parents to support. Mom who has accepted that she will be gone soon and Dad who dearly wants her to fight. I'm so emotionally torn. I'm going out in 10 days to spend a week with them. HOW THE HECK AM I SUPPOSED TO LEAVE KNOWING THAT I WONT EVER SEE MY MOM AGAIN?! IT'S JUST NOT RIGHT!! AAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGGGGG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Prayers and positive thoughts to you!! Be Blessed, Donna

Nova, My Mom was just recently diagnosed so I've not been through near what you have - I am just beginning my ride on the "emotional rollercoaster" of this horrible disease. What I can give to you are my positive thoughts and prayers. Be Blessed, Donna

My thoughts and prayers are with your family!! Be Blessed, Donna