Jump to content

tmaizeinlv

Members
  • Posts

    56
  • Joined

  • Last visited

Everything posted by tmaizeinlv

  1. Tanya, I am so sorry for your loss. Terre
  2. tmaizeinlv

    mom is gone

    My dear mother, Betsy Reissig, passed away September 1 at 4 pm. She died peacefully, with my father and her best friend present. She will be horribly missed. Thanks to all of you in this forum for your support, prayers, and kindness. You are all in my thoughts and prayers. Terre
  3. Happy Birthday, Don! I'm overjoyed to hear Lucie is coming home soon. You're in my prayers daily. Terre
  4. tmaizeinlv

    Dad Passed

    Amy, I am so sorry for your loss. You are in my heart and prayers. Terre
  5. Thank you all so much. You are always also in my thoughts and prayers; no one deserves to go through this. Mom and I had a good talk and she's in the right place mentally, I think. At the hospice here, they stop giving IV fluids/nutrition once you are admitted. They don't withhold food; she can eat and drink whatever she wants. She knows that once she goes to hospice one of two things will happen. She said that now it's between her and God, and that if God wishes to take her, she won't want to eat. But if God wants her to stay here and fight logner, she will get her appetite back and want to eat and drink. Rayroy, you're right, I know; the radiologist said that some people actually turn around in hospice care and that he is willing to try radiation on the tumor in her lung if she gains strength and eats. One kind of funny/cute thing she did yesterday is this: day before yesterday, she was pretty at peace with things (see above). Yesterday, she had a while where she was absolutely NOT ready to accept that she may die from this. Anyway, she was talking about not being ready and asking why God would do this to her, etc. I told her that I didn't know but that I could not have asked for a better mom and told her what a strong beautiful person she is. Now, for over a week, she has not been able to sit up by herself. However, when I said this, she sat bolt upright in bed, glared at me, and said "That's the crap you say to people who are dying, and it's not over yet, so don't be trying to bury me!" That may not sound cute/funny to you, but believe me, it was. It made me smile, because she's still fighting, she's still feisty, and (if nothing else), she sat up! At any rate, we haven't written her off, but our family motto has always been "plan for the worst, pray for the best." And that's kind of what we're doing. It's like a balancing act and frankly, it really sucks. Thanks again to all of you. Take care, God bless you all. Terre
  6. I was planning on going to Omaha to see mother on the 29th and moved it to the 26th instead. The doctor called this morning and said I should fly today or tomorrow. I'm going today. My dad and I have a 6 am appointment with the doc tomorrow to discuss next steps and hospice care. He said there's a beautiful facility with a private room where my dad can stay with her and she can have her kitty with her. All in all, it sucks, but it would be nice if she could be with BooBoo (the kitty, who outranks me in the family) and my dad. Prayers to all of you and thank you for all of your help and support in the past. Terre Mother Stage IV NSCLC, mets to lymph and brain 15 days whole-head radiation 2 rounds carbo/taxol Diagnosed June 17, 2003
  7. Your Dad's oncologist sounds like the one my mom has. My dad asked about Celebrex and the doctor asked my dad where he got his MD and where he got such a stupid idea. Same stuff/crap, but the guy my mom has does seem dedicated (cancelled his vacation because one of his patients went critical) and seems to know his stuff. My mom had 15 days of whole head radiation plus two rounds of carbo/taxol. She has extreme neuropathy in her hands and feet and a VERY unsteady walk (she needs a walker). This is absolutely a side effect of the chemo. That said, I agree with the others who posted; get a second opinion, talk to the doctor again, etc. I finally got an appointment with my mother's doctor and told him that I needed to ask questions. I told him I was not challenging his authority of knowledge, but wanted to understand what was going on so that I could best help my mother and father get through this. I kept emphasizing that I was not questioning HIM, just asking questions. He finally actually answered my questions. Anyway, that's just a suggestion. Also, American Cancer Society has a hotline that may be able to help answer questions and MD Anderson has a nurse practicioner that may be able to help translate. Best of luck, best of everything. Terre
  8. Praying for good results for you. Terre
  9. Thank you so much, Margaret. I actually work for the state and have lived here since 1979, with 4 years off for good behavior (just kidding...my former company transferred me to San Fran then to Houston then back to Vegas). Your information was very helpful and my prayers and thoughts are with you. Terre
  10. I am sorry for your situation. I am lucky enough to have a stepfather living in Omaha with my mother; I am in Las Vegas. I fly back every couple of weeks and am going for 2 weeks starting next Tuesday. I started a new job in November, so I don' t have a lot of vacation, which makes it a little tougher. The good news is that we refinanced our house and have some cash out of it in savings, and I have a very understanding boss. The recommendation about agencies with companions was good, also check the American Cancer Society. They have volunteers who will drive your dad to appointments, shop, etc. And there's no charge. It's not ideal, but it does help some. I wish I had better answers and a solution for you. The only other advice I can think of is to go see him, meet with other family members and his companion, see if you can line up friends, etc., and see if you can organize a schedule for people to check on him and help. I've found that most people want to help, but they don't know what to do. So, you have to tell them what to do, and generally they will do it. We set up a "circle of friends" and each one comes to see my mom on a different day, so she has visitors every day. This is partly for her and partly for my dad; he needs a break now and then. Hope this helps a little...hope my thoughts and prayers help even more. Terre
  11. Does anyone have experience with taxotere (I hope I'm spelling that right)? My mother had 2 rounds of taxol/carbo which left her horribly ill and hospitalized. The doctor wants to start taxotere on Monday, and he said it will make her weaker and her current side effects worse. She is already so weak, she can't get off the toilet by herself or out of bed. She has neuropathy in her hands and feet and can't write her name, and her vision is so blurred, she can't read. We are trying to decide if we should tell him to go ahead or if we should wait until she regains some strength. She has eaten twice in 2 months, and is being fed via IV. Has anyone else been through this type of treatment? Any info you can share to help us with this decision would be greatly appreciated. Terre
  12. My mother had short-term memory loss after 15 days of whole-head radiation. And everything I've read/researched says that this is a common side effect of brain radiation. It may be temporary; it may be not. One option you may consider for consultation is that MD Anderson will consult by phone with your doctor. You can have your mother's doctor call their 800 number and ask for the oncologist on call for the thorasic (sp?) group and get another opinion. It may cost money, I'm not sure.. Also, Anderson has a nurse named Kay Herdon (or close to that) who's at 713-792-6363. Leave her a message and she will return your call. She's a physician's assistant and was wonderful with me. She's pretty matter-of-fact and doesn't sugar-coat things, but she's also very compassionate and knowledgable. Praying for you and your family... Terre
  13. Yippie!!! I'm thrilled for both of you!
  14. I am so sorry. My deepest sympathy to you and your family. Terre
  15. Praying for the two of you and so glad you got some good news. I'm sure Lucie is on the mend!
  16. Thank you so much, Norme. That does help a lot. Apparently, they have to wait a month following the last radiation before they can do the brain scan. Not certain why, but that's what the radiologist says. And of all her doctors, he is the only one I really trust. He's very positive and upbeat and determined to help her fight. All the best...you're in my prayers. And thank you so much. Terre
  17. My mother has had two rounds of carbo/taxol and 15 days of whole-head radiation. Her vision is suddenly failing as is her hearing. Has anyone experienced this as a side effect? When I asked the doctor, he said that it's either the chemo or the cancer growing. We can't get a brain scan until August 25.
  18. You are in my thoughts and prayers. Don't give up on the memory book idea; do it after she is gone if you have to wait. My dad is whacky too and says some really obnoxious wierd things. I try not to take it seriously or personally and know that it is grief and stress talking. You sound like a wonderful daughter, and I admire your strength and courage.
  19. Couple of places you might wish to try: 1-800-ACS-2345, American Cancer Society free hotline http://www.lungcanceronline.org/ - good web site with great free links http://www.alcase.org/ - they have a Phone Buddy Program
  20. Hello Teri! I don't know if "welcome" is the right thing to say, since we seem to come together under less than desirable circumstances. My mom lives in Omaha and I live in Las Vegas, so I understand the distance thing. And she's been through "health hell" for the last 8 months also, then they finally diagnosed her with Stage IV NSCLC in June. I just got back from Omaha; I'm doing the every two week commute thing it seems. I take a lot of comfort from the people here and have gotten a lot of good information, so I'm glad you found this place, too. Best wishes and prayers to your family and your mom. Terre
  21. My deepest sympathy for your loss. I am so so very sorry. But you must be terribly proud of Bob for fighting such a great battle and serving as an inspiration to others. My heart aches for your loss.
  22. Praying for the both of you. I know this will pass and no blood clots is great news! You are always so wonderful about posting encouragment to me, and it means the world to me. Thank you for taking the time. And I know Lucie will beat this thing! Terre
  23. Veronica - Sounds like you have the same moronic oncology doctor my mom has...brain mets means it's over and just a matter of time. But I know the others here are right, and my mother's radiologist says there is NO reason that it's over with brain mets. He is compeltely convinced that when we do the scan August 25, the brain mets will be gone. And if they're not, he's going in with the gamma knife. Also, originally the oncologist said she had 2 brain mets. The radiologist looked at them again and guess what? Theres only ONE, not two. So, don't give up. ALL cancer is treatable. I met a woman yesterday at the hospital who was in for her 1 year checkup. She had the gamma knife as experimental "surgery" a year ago and she's still free of brain cancer and she looked fantastic. She said she felt great, too. Hang in there, keep praying, keep hoping, and vent whenever you need to. If you need to vent and are worried about upsetting people here, feel free to email me at tmaizeinlv@yahoo.com. Praying for you, Terre
  24. Thanks all. I appreciate it more than you can imagine. My dad thinks her doc is trying "reverse psychology"; i.e., try to rile her up and get her to fight by making her mad. But my dad agrees that it's not working with her. I emailed Anderson and will call them tomorrow and pester them. I told her today that I wished I could give her a pill or a shot of something to make her better. She said what she needed was a "shot of hope," because she has none left. I don't think she really wants to die, but she's afraid of living and feeling so awful. So, she's in limbo-land. She's also still in shock, I know. My folks' generation is "trust the doctor" 100%, no questions. So they get annoyed when I question him and when I question his attitude. Actually, that's not true. The get mad as hell at me! They're afraid that if we question him, he will give her substandard care. I told them that right there was a signal to change doctors! So, it's nice to have a reality check from you all. Because I have days when I think I'm losing it! Thank you from the bottom of my heart. Don...hope Lucie's pneumonia is better! Terre
  25. My mom is doing daily IVs and 3 cans of boost a day. Try calling 1-800-ACS-2345. They can find resources for you. Many cancer centers will give you Boost for free. If there's not one nearby, Walmart currently has "buy 6 get 2 free" packs of Boost.
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

By using this site, you agree to our Terms of Use.