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poggie

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  1. My mother-in-law's fight is over. She died yesterday evening around 5:30. My husband was holding her hand as she took her last breath. He said that she seemed at peace. My dad on the other hand is not at peace. We were with him this past weekend. He is in an enormous amount of pain. He is healing well from the surgeries and the C Diff is getting under control but his leg is causing him so much pain. He has no pulse in that leg and it's turning gangrene. He has been on a vent since his last surgery (Jan 4,2008). He's been trying to tell us something for several days now. Finally yesterday, they realized that what he was asking for was to have the vent removed. So, late last night it was taken out. My sister stayed with him the whole night and said that he seemed to be holding his own. At some points he would go down to 6 breaths but would go back up into the 20's. We know that it's only a matter of time. I don't blame him one bit for giving up. He has been in pain since he had two stokes when he was 42 (1973). I just wish that we could be with him and that there was some type of medication that they could give him to take the pain away. Even as he sleeps, his leg twitches constantly. I HATE the fact that my family has to choose whom to be with. Do we stay here for the wake and funeral or do we drive 300 miles to hold my dad's hand? If we stay, will my dad (and the rest of my family) feel that we've abandoned him? It's all just so hard! The wake is going to be Thursday with the funeral on Friday. Thank you all for your thoughts and prayers!
  2. Thank you all for your thoughts and prayer. My mother in law is still hanging on. We all went to see her last night but she was pretty much asleep. My youngest daughter is disabled (she has a very rare genetic disease). When she laughed, my mother in law tried really hard to open her eyes. To us, that was a sign that she was still with us but just not able to respond. She was moved out of ICU last night and into a room on the hospice floor. The staff thought that she would pass during the night or sometime today but she's still fighting. Her blood pressure has come back up and her heart rate is back in the normal range. My husband and his brother went to see her at lunch and she opened her eyes for them. He told her that he loved her and she whispered "I love you too". My dad on the other hand has taken a turn for the worse. The doctors have found that he now has C Diff Colitis and has bacteria growing around his heart. He had an artery to his leg replaced several years ago. He's been having a lot of pain in that leg lately and the color is changing. Testing shows that the artificial artery is clogged and he's getting very little blood flow to the leg. They were talking about amputating it if he survived but that's not likely and they can not control the pain now. He's still on the vent but can nod. My sister told him about my mother in law and he began to cry and choke. We're still very torn but if my mother in law is still hanging on, we'll be heading to see him on Saturday. For now, we can only take one day at a time. Thanks again for all of your support!
  3. I know that I haven't posted here in a long time but I do read the board. My mother in law was diagnosed just over 4 years ago with Stage IV lung cancer. This was a shock to us because she had never smoked a day in her life. She has fought hard and we're lucky that she was never in any pain (or at least she said that she wasn't) and had very little side effects to all of the chemo that she's taken. She did very well on Tarceva for several years but her body just can't fight anymore. She is currently in ICU at a local hospital but the family will be meeting with hospice tomorrow to find out if there is a bed available in a hospice home. Right now, our world just seems to be crashing down. My father is also in ICU but in a hospital 5 hours from our home. He had emergency surgery on Dec 28th. They needed to remove 18 feet of his small intestine. He had a blood clot that cause the bowel to die. He also had air pockets in his liver. He survived the surgery but needed another operation Jan 4th to repair a leak. He's still in ICU but it's not looking good for him either. His white cell count keeps climbing, he has pneumonia in his lungs and the blood cultures are now showing yeast and e coli in his blood. I spent 4 days with him last week and my family went back again late Thursday night and came home Saturday. Needless to say, our family is torn. My children will be loosing a grandparent from each side of the family in a very short time. We all knew that these days would come. We just didn't think that it would be all at the same time.
  4. Thank you all for your advice and more importantly, your prayers and support!
  5. I haven't been around in a long time. Things seemed to be going well until last Feb. My mil suffered from steroid induced psychosis from the large dose of steroids she was getting for whole brain radiation. It took a long time for the steroids to get out of her system but once they did, she was pretty much back to normal. I say pretty much because we are noticing that she misuses a word or has a hard time finding the right word sometimes. She recently had a full CT and we're told that the tumor in her lung is growing again and she now has a spot on her liver. We ask for specifics (how big? where?...) but my FIL rarely knows the answers. The doctor has suggested that she start Tarceva. Should the spot on the liver be treated more aggressivley or is Tarceva her best option? She's already had 3 rounds of different chemo meds. Besides a rash, are there any other side effects that we should be looking for? Deep down I feel like her fight is coming to an end. She appears to be feeling fine but I just don't see that fighting spirit inside her as much. Next month it will be 2 years since she was diagnosed with Stage IV NSCLC. Any suggestions or advice? Thank You!
  6. My mil finished 14 days of whole brain radiation( for small mets to the brain) last week . She has been taking steriods 4 times a day for swelling. She has a CT set for this week to check the swelling but has to stay on the steroids until she sees the doctor next week. Anyway, since starting the WBR and steroids, her legs are so week that she can't stand up enough to get up the stairs to bed. She's had 3 different rounds of chemo and besides the hair loss, she hasn't had any side effects. Is this muscle weakness caused from the radiation? the steroids? or just the progression of the disease? This has really taken a toll on her. She has been up beat, in high spirits through it all but lately, she is always depressed sounding. She talks about how miserable she is not being able to walk. I know that a possitive attitude helps with cancer and she's no loosing that too. Any advice. She was diagnosed 1 1/2 years ago with stage IV NSCLC. She's a non-smoker and 17year breast cancer survivor (stage I~mastectomy without any chemo or radiation). She's going to the U of Chicago if that matters. Thanks!
  7. I haven't posted here in quite a while. Things seemed to be going as good as possible but have taken a turn for the worse. My mother in law was diagnosed with Stage V NSCLC about 18 months ago. She had two mets in her hip at the time as well as in the lymph nodes. Recently, she's had some problems with memory, using the wrong word and dizzy spells. She had a MRI of the brain last week that confirmed that she has a lot of very small lesion through out the brain. She is will have 15 daily treatments of whole brain radiation. Prior to this, she has been on two different groups of chemo meds (Carbo/Taxol was the first but I can't remember the others). She is getting some type of med in her hep-line for bone strength every few weeks as well. She had to start steroids this weekend to prevent swelling. Now, the questions. What are the side effects of whole brain radiation? Are they long lasting? How soon will they start? What's the prognosis? She's still in denial thinking that she will be cured. She expects to hear that the cancer is all gone. We know that's not possible but don't want to burst her bubble. Her attitude for the most part is pretty up beat. I think that they (mother and father in law) are hearing what they want to when she goes to the doctor. She's done very well with the chemo. No side effects besides being a little tired a day or two (she looses her hair as well but it grew in pretty thick when she had the break between the two rounds)
  8. Marlon, I am so sorry for your loss. Please accept my condolences. I haven't been here very long but from reading all of your posts, you were a wonderful advocate for your mother. You may remember that we live very close to you. If there is anything that we can do to help, please let us know. Poggie Mother in law(72yo) non-smoker being treated at the U of Chicago for NSCLC Stage IV mets to brain, spine and hip Carbo/Taxol
  9. I haven't posted in a while. Things seem to be going well (as well as we can hope for I guess) with my mother in law. She had three rounds of chemo Carbo/Taxol with the only side effect being the loss of her hair. Two weeks after the third round, they did another CT and MRI to check the status. She followed up with the oncologists last Wed. The doctors said that they were very happy with what they saw on the MRI and CT. It seems that the cancer is all exactly the same as it was prior to starting her treatments. They decided to continue with 3 more rounds of carbo/taxol for a total of 7 and redo the MRI and CT. After that, they will discuss what to do next. So far, they have said that since the brain mets are small (two of them~each 4mm) and they are not spreading or getting larger, they will hold off on radiation. This seems to go against everything that I've read. Should we be pushing for radiation? Besides a slight cough, she doesn't have any symptoms of the cancer. No pain at all. Yesterday was the first day that she wasn't feeling well~ a little sick to her stomach and she said that her knees hurt. Is the knee pain a common side effect to the chemo? Any insight is appreciated. Poggie mother in law 72yo no-smoker stage IV NSCLC mets to spine, hip and brain Carbo/Taxol
  10. Nancy, I am pretty new here but always liked to read David's posts. I am so sorry for your loss. Poggie Mother-in-law stage IV NSCLC Mets to brain, spine and hip. Carbo/Taxol
  11. Thank you to everyone that has responded to my questions. My mother in law had her first chemo treatment today. I'm anxious for them to get back home to talk to her. I'm not sure exactly what we should expect as far as side effects/problems go. I am going to talk to her about calling the doctor again to find out exactly what kind of cancer it is. I did a quick search today of the internet for "undifferentiated" "lung cancer" and it didn't answer most of my questions. My mother in law is going to the U of Chicago. From what I've read, it's supposed to be one of the best treatment facilities in the US. I know from personal experience that "good" hospitals, just like "good" doctors still make mistakes. Now, I'm starting to wonder. Prior to going there (she started about the second week of Nov) she was being given the run around with the doctors here in the suburbs since she had the X-ray in Sept. In the month that she's been at U of C, she's seen oncology, had another CT, thorasic surgeon, needle biopsy, MRI of the brain and now chemo. Right now, the treatment plan is to have chemo today and again in 21 days. After that, they will do another MRI. If they stayed the same or changed for the worst, they will do radiation. If they're getting smaller, they will continue with the chemo. The doctor did say that there are two treatment options. One as I said above and the other to do radiation first and then chemo. My mother in law opted to have the chemo first. I think that part of it is that she feels that she's waited around a few months and wants to get something going to kill the cancer floating around in her body. I appreciate the help!
  12. I'm sorry to bother everyone again. We got more bad news yesterday. My mother in law's MRI of the brain came back with at least two mets. This wasn't picked up on either CT or PET scan. As a result, she is no longer a canidate for the other clinical trial that she had hoped to participate in. The doctor always refers to the cancer as a "lesion". I don't want to sound dumb but is that the same as a tumor? The other thing is that we asked him what type of cancer it is? He said that they are getting away from giving cancer a "name" besides NSCLC. If he had to, he would call it "undifferentiated". He also refered to her cancer as "primitive". The MRI showed two lesions in the brain that are 4 mm is size. The plan right now is to start chemo (carbo and taxol) tomorrow. In 21 days another round of chemo. After that, he wants another MRI of the brain. Depending on what that shows, she may continue with the same chemo, different chemo or radiation. After talking to the doctor yesterday, I felt a little at peace. Just knowing that SOMETHING is going to start. Later last night, I talked to a neighbor. She is a radiation tech at another hosptial. She asked about my mil. When she heard about the lesions in the brain, she said that isn't good at all. She said that we need to be sure to make this Christmas special~~for my 3 girls as well as my mil because this will probably be her last Christmas with us. My heart sank again. My mother in law is not in any pain and has no sign of cancer beside a cough that some times nags her. What should we expect with the chemo tomorrow? She is going to have a port a cath put in first. I've asked the doctor to give us a life expectancy. His response is always, let's wait and see how she responds to the treatment. Any ideas? Thanks! 71 year old mother in law~~stage I breast cancer 1989 right side mastectomy but no chemo or radiation diagnosed Oct'03 NSCLC right lung pos. needle biopsy Nov'03 in one lymph node right side near neck mets in two places of the spine Dec'03 possible mets in right hip Dec'03 4 mm mets in brainDec03
  13. Has anyone heard of or participated in a clinical trial with ABT-510? My mother in law's NSCLC has now been changed from Stage IIIB to Stage IV after a bone scan and x-rays confirmed that there is cancer in at least two places in her spine and might also be in her right hip. As a result, she no longer qualifies for the clinical trial of chemo/radiation and OSI 774. The doctors are wanting her to try another study that includes Carbo and Taxol along with ABT-510. ABT-510 would need to be injected daily into her stomach. From what I understand, and I may be completely wrong, ABT-510 is supposed to stop blood vessel growth to cancer. The risk involved include bleeding at the tumor site. Because of this, she would need a MRI of the brain tomorrow to be sure that there aren't any mets to the brain. She's already had two CTs and a PET scan not show anything but we didn't think that it was in the spine based on these tests either. Any advice or suggests?
  14. Thank you both for your support. Things are worse today for my mother in law. The x-rays confirmed cancer in at least two areas of the spine as well as a questionable spot in the right hip. We have a family meeting tonight with a conference call with the doctor. We have told my mil and fil that we will support what ever choice they make but my brother in law wants them to take a vacation and enjoy whatever time left that she has. He's against chemo/treatment for the most part. He thinks that it will debilitate her to the point that her quality of life would be horrible. Even now, she is very active and in NO pain at all. Only an annoying cough every now and then. The doctors want her to participate in a different clinical trial with a drug called ABT-510 in addition to chemo. If she does, she will need a MRI of her brain tomorrow. They need to double check that there are no mets there before she can have ABT-510. She's not sure that she wants to know if there are any in her brain. Both CTs were clear as was that area in the PET scan. We also have two older girls (17 and 14) that are very helpful with their younger sister. We do get a night out every now and then and it helps. We haven't told them the complete news yet. Only that grandma has cancer and that we're exploring her treatment options. Until we know what she wants to do, there's no point burdening them with all of the details. We love our girls to death but sometimes are tired of being "special". We just want to be 'normal'~~whatever that is. Again, THANK YOU!
  15. The x-rays yesterday confirm mets in my mother in law's spine and questionable in the right hip. Now, the doctor said that she is stage IV instead of IIIB. Is that because it's now in the bones? Prior to this, she had it in her right lung, esophogus (sp?), and one lymph node near her neck. The course of treatment that they are purposing is chemo (Carbo and Toxal) or a clinical trial of chemo and ABT-510. ABT-510 is a shot that she would have to give herself daily. The idea is that ABT-510 should restrict the blood vessel production to the tumors. Before doing this, she would need an MRI of the brain to be sure that there are no mets there. They don't expect any but that's what they said before the bone scan too. If she decides to get treatment, she will start chemo next Wed. If not, I'm sure that she only has weeks/months left with us. Is there a standard # of treaments sessions? We have a conference call with the doctor tonight so I'm sure that he'll answer all of the questions then. My brain is going is so many different directions right now. I just can't think clearly. Has anyone experienced this treatment plan? Thanks again!
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