chelee Posted July 27, 2007 Share Posted July 27, 2007 I just went through a year battling breast cancer...so I'm not new to chemo and what goes along with it. But my Mother was DX with stage IV lung cancer and THAT I know nothing about. Plus since I was seeing so many doctors due to my own care...my brother has been taking my Mom to appts. He's NOT like me..he doesn't ask questions nor finds out much. He just does what the oncologist says and thats it. I've been visiting Mom when I can and she has went down hill so fast I can't believe it. About 2 months ago she had some brain mets and had 10 rounds of WBR. So NOW what I'm trying to fiqure out she use to make sense when I would talk to her. Now she just lays in her bed and won't do anything. She uses only a *side chair* to potty...won't even go to the bathroom. (She did use a walker before this due to hip fractures...but she was good with the walker.) She has dropped so much weight its not funny. She was a big strong women and is down to nothing. She eats like a bird. I want to know WHY she can make sense for a few minutes..then the next minute she says something totally off the wall like "What's hanging on the wall right there". (There ISN'T anything on the wall!) She asked me if I had a sweater on and I just had my regular plain blouse..I've NEVER wore a sweater in my life. Plus it was 90 degrees in her house. She asked me if her door was blue...its NEVER been blue. She even asked if I was laying down when I was sitting in a computer chair with my arm resting on the top of her walker??? So you get the idea I hope. But then she can talk to me about what my bother said or did. She will ask me about my breast cancer chemo and doctors appts. Why is her mind jumping back and forth. Plus I noticed I read a greeting card to her THREE times because she kept telling me I never read it to her. Please tell me WHY she is doing this? How can she be semi fine one minute...and totally off the next? Its killing me to see her like this. Plus when I go to leave she says "You aren't leaving me already are you...I'm so lonely" It breaks my heart. Is some of this from her WBR? She seemed fine after she had WBR's a few months ago...now she is making no sense. Could it be brain mets back again? I am going with my brother to her next appt 8-2-07 to see whats going on...but if anyone has any idea please help me understand. All I do is cry...why we both have to deal with cancer at the same time is just over whelming. We have always been SO CLOSE...I can't imagine life without her. But it seems like she is at the end of it. (Sorry so long.) Chelee Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chelee Posted July 28, 2007 Author Share Posted July 28, 2007 Ok...let me try again. First attempt is too long. My Mom has stage IV lung cancer and had mets to brain. She had 9 WBR and seemed fine 3 months ago. Now she had trouble holding a conversation with me. She says things that makes no sense...totally off the wall things? Then she is semi fine again. She won't get up and walk around or even sit up in a chair. She just lays down and waits to take her pain pills. can't remember what I tell her..has me repeats things over and over. Is this after affects from WBR? Chelee Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Calintay Posted July 28, 2007 Share Posted July 28, 2007 Hi there - I have no experience with WBR but let me be the first to welcome you to this site I am sorry you have to be here but this site is a Godsend. Glad to hear you are cancer free Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RandyW Posted July 28, 2007 Share Posted July 28, 2007 what else has she had for treatments? This does not sound normal to me at all.. CAn you get access to Oncologists info for types of chemo and other options that may have been tried? The reoccurence of Brain Mets can be high for Lung Cancer patients more so than some other cancers. THis would explain the behaviour. There are other options I would think, butI am not an expert on this subject, and did not have to deal with this problem during MY experience with LC. If I can help wiht anything let me know by all means. A pm or a note anywhere, preferrably PM and i will see what I can find out. PRayers for You and the family tonite. Let me know if I can help with anything. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chelee Posted July 28, 2007 Author Share Posted July 28, 2007 My Mom started off on Carbpotin and Gemzar. Got some good results at first on that then it stopped working. Then I believe she was switched to "Alimta" and it didn't get the results the onc wanted and just recently she was on "Tarceva". That seemed to be working after the first scan she had and she told me she could breath better. But then she started getting really dizzy and off balance and seeing big black spots especially in one eye and the onc wanted her off the Tarceva till he sees her again which is this coming week. Seems she has went down hill since then? I am so afraid its brain mets again. I don't know what to think? I did read they can act funny a few months after WBR and it will get better. But I don't know what to think. I'm worried sick. Chelee Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RandyW Posted July 28, 2007 Share Posted July 28, 2007 Try these links for some info to ask Onc at next appointment; http://jco.ascopubs.org/cgi/content/abstract/7/7/916 http://www.springerlink.com/content/th6x1q08k144203q/ http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entre ... stractPlus http://clinicaltrials.gov/ct/show/NCT00403065?order=6 This one may be very benficial and there are options in here that may work and could be worth questioning to Oncologist. If ya don't ask ya may never know...... http://clinicaltrials.gov/ct/search?ter ... +Recurrent See if these may present an oppurtunity. Htey are not all trials, and may provide an idea for treatment possibility. oh and Keep us posted, remember there is always hope. another possibility with more ideas..... http://clinicaltrials.gov/ct/search?ter ... Metastasis Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chelee Posted July 28, 2007 Author Share Posted July 28, 2007 RandyW, I can't tell you how MUCH I APPRECIATE you taking the time to give me those links. It means the world to me. I've had a rough year fighting an aggressive breast cancer myself...stage IIIA, with positive nodes. So I have ALWAYS been the one to take my Mom to doctors appts. This times its been my brother and he means well but he does NOT ask questions...and he's NOT good at letting the onc know whats going on with her it seems. So your timing with these links are EXCELLENT as her next appt with onc is Thursday and I FINALLY get to go to this one. I ask LOTS of questions and I like to know everything! In fact my own doctors and onc gets annoyed with how involved I want to be. They like the people that don't ask questions it seems. But thats just not me. I am off to check out all the links you gave me and see what will be helpful on Thursday. I want to be prepared. I am so thankful I found this board. I will update as soon as possible and no doubt will be back with more questions. Thanks again! Chelee Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RandyW Posted July 28, 2007 Share Posted July 28, 2007 Also look in the General Forum under "Worried about Brain Metastasis" by author Spicysashimi for more responses. This is what we are here for.To help and offer support and anything you need for us to help with. This is by far teh best Lung cancer site available that I have seen and I have joined quite a few of them when searching for answers originally. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Judy-OK Posted July 28, 2007 Share Posted July 28, 2007 Welcome Chelee. Randy W is right this is a wonderful site for information and support from others that are certainly not strangers to Lung Cancer. Randy happens to be one of the "angels" that does research and helps each and every person that comes on board and has a question he can deal with. He also does a GREAT job of hosting a chat group on Tuesday evenings. Drop by and chat with us sometime. Prayes for your mom and your family and best of luck. Judy P.S. Let's all hope Randy does not see this post his head will get so big he will not be able to get through a door. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ry Posted July 28, 2007 Share Posted July 28, 2007 Welcome to the board. I am glad you will be able to make your mom's next appointment-- make sure she signs a privacy form that names you as someone the doctor can share information with. That will allow you to call him and discuss things when you need to. My husband was on Alimta and it knocked the snot out of him - for some people Alimta can really hit you hard and bring on extreme fatigue. She may just need some time to recoup from it. Let us know how her appointment goes. Rochelle Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RandyW Posted July 28, 2007 Share Posted July 28, 2007 I always check in on Folks but don't worry I am too modest too get a swollen Head Judy. Just want things to get better here...... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fillise Posted July 28, 2007 Share Posted July 28, 2007 Welcome Chelee! It sounds like you have gotten some good information already. You see why we ALL love Randy W around here! I'm so sorry that as you are fighting your own battle, you also have to fight your mom's. Another excellent resource is www.onctalk.com. Dr. West, an excellent oncologist in Seattle runs it and he has a wealth of information and is willing to answer questions. It has been from reading his board and this one that I know what questions to ask my Mom's oncologist. As you well know--all cancer patients need an advocate. Let us know what the dr says on Thursday. Until then I will keep you both in my prayers. Susan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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