kzander Posted November 23, 2003 Share Posted November 23, 2003 Well, I am now back in North Dakota with my mom. And she is not doing so well at all......They feel, unless her appetite comes back and she gets stronger this could be her final week. This is all just going so fast. So very fast. Last week at this time she was out shopping and now she's laying in the hospital in SO much pain and suffering. I've never before seen her in pain like this. Tomorrow she meets with the oncologist to find out if Iressa is an option, or just a waste of time. I feel we really should at least try the Iressa --- but she's so malnurished due to lack of appetite and being able to eat, they are not sure if it's worth it. Please help everyone -- tonight I am asking for prayers that she gets to see tomorrow and maybe gets to take the Iressa, just to say we tried at least. Please, I don't want this to be our last week with mom. Help. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SandyS Posted November 23, 2003 Share Posted November 23, 2003 Kristy - Prayers going out immediately for you AND your mom. Be positive for her - this could still turn around... Hugs and prayers, SandyS Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluebayou Posted November 23, 2003 Share Posted November 23, 2003 Kristy... Lots of prayers headed up there. God Bless you and yours. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DeanCarl Posted November 23, 2003 Share Posted November 23, 2003 Kristy, I'm not much of the prayin' type ... but sending all I know how to do for you and your Mom. Dean Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sam'swifeShirley Posted November 23, 2003 Share Posted November 23, 2003 Prayers on the way Sam Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
luvmydog2 Posted November 23, 2003 Share Posted November 23, 2003 Kristy, Hang in there and tell your Mom to do the same. GOD STILLS PERFORMS MIRACLES. Your Mom will be in my prayers as soon as I finish typing this. Also, she will continue to be in my prayers. Keep us posted. Bruce Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
karen335 Posted November 24, 2003 Share Posted November 24, 2003 Kristy, Prayers said for you and your mom. Keep the faith. God is good... God Bless Karen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gail Posted November 24, 2003 Share Posted November 24, 2003 Prayers are on their way gail Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Margaret Posted November 24, 2003 Share Posted November 24, 2003 Kristy, To start Iressa could hardly be a wast of time. Never lose hope...and that drug can do much. If it turns out that it presents too difficult a side effect then it can be stopped. I will hold you and your mom in my heart and prayers. Peace and blessings. Margaret Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fay A. Posted November 24, 2003 Share Posted November 24, 2003 Dear Kristy, Has your Mother been given nutritional support via a feeding tube in her stomach? Has this been offered to her. Please email me privately. There is something I want you to read that was written by a fellow lung cancer survivor on the subject of nutritional supplementation. I wish I could post it here, but I'm not having much success with that kind of thing. Thinking of you, Fay A. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cathyr Posted November 24, 2003 Share Posted November 24, 2003 Kristy, My prayers are with you and your mother. God bless both of you!!! CathyR Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don Wood Posted November 24, 2003 Share Posted November 24, 2003 Prayers with you. Don Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kimblanchard Posted November 24, 2003 Share Posted November 24, 2003 A dear friend/angel asked that I re-post the following, and I am humbled by her hope that it might be of help here. ===== PLEASE DON"T LET ANYONE STARVE!===== An inherent issue within the reality of having cancer that somehow is lost, unknown, or rarely explained or discussed is the significant anti-appetite efffect caused by both the effects of treatment AND the metabolic by-products of tumors. Literally, as the tumor is feeding itself from your blood supply, it is also secreting waste materials that create a POWERFUL anorexic effect. You do not WANT food/nourishment...you do not FEEL hungry...the very SMELL of food can make you feel nauseous...foods taste HORRIBLE...you take some sips of "something" just to pacify those who are trying to get you to eat something/anything. (My caretakers were OVERJOYED if I took 2-3 sips or bites of anything in an entire day!) This ongoing scenario literally took me to within days of DEATH BY STARVATION...not by my cancer...BY STARVATION. Families unaware of these toxic tumor secretions & their effects often become frustrated/hurt/upset & even angry at their loved one, mistakenly thinking they're being difficult and non-cooperative...and/or have given up. Worse yet, familes can fatalistically believe NOTHING can be done, and then the needed actions are NEVER done. ___________________________________ If you DON'T have cancer, try this: Have 1/10th your normal food/fluid intake for just 3 days...72 hours...and do not leave the bed. Then, please post how you're feeling & how much you are capable of doing. See what starvation and weakness do to your overall outlook on life in general. Remember I said "healthy-person"---"3 days". Multiply this 10 times, and you may have a greater consciousness of the cancer-patient-experience in some small way. ____________________________________ Then add on the ADDITIONAL & predictable effects on appetite from chemo, rads, pain meds, anxiety, fatigue, exogenous depression, etcetera...and the person-battling-cancer is NOT getting adequate nutrition & fluids just when they are NEEDED the MOST. This "starvation-syndrome" is an preventable/addressable crisis/oftimes tragedy. Temporary PRN usage of a G-Tube can overcome these issues, with nutritional and fluid needs being readily/reliably met, without creating discomfort, frustration and aggravation at meal times. With the G-tube in, I was able to endure treatment, recover, and survive. If the person-battling-cancer in your life is CONSISTENTLY getting 8-10 glasses of water/fluids a day, & 1800-2200 balanced calories/nutrients per day, please disregard the above info on the G-tube. (Also, do not confuse a G-tube with the NG-tube, which enters through the nose.) ____________________________________ One prepackaged nutritional supplement of definite and known value is ENSURE. They have a NEW specialized, targeted product out now, PROSURE. Formulated for the nutritional needs of people-battling-cancer, recent hopeful research indicate PROSURE has some effect on solid tumors, slowing/halting additional growth. The Veterans Hospital system has recently circulated these clinical findings and are currently giving extensive Inservice Education on the overlooked/critical need of providing adequate nutrition to its Oncology patients, specifically discussing usage of PROSURE. _____________________________________ This info should not be misinterpreted as an "advertisement" for any product. All of the above is part of the readily available public domain, and not "opinion". ____________________________________ My honest heartfelt plea is: Let's try to MORE completely understand & CORRECTLY deal with the loss of appetite in a person-battling-cancer. Let's not blame them, or assume they've given up. Get them the nutritional assistance they require IMMEDIATELY. Don't WAIT or DELAY until you're days from death, like we did. PLEASE...Don't stand helplessly by, watching them needlessly starve. Take our prayers for fortitude, and GET BUSY!! ___________________________________ Love, Strength, Faith, Peace, & Unity!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MO_Sugar Posted November 24, 2003 Share Posted November 24, 2003 Prayers and good wishes for your Mom and your family. God does listen to prayers and the power of prayer can work miracles. God Bless. Missy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
niececola Posted November 24, 2003 Share Posted November 24, 2003 I am so sorry Kristy, hang in there and stay strong! I am thinking of you and your mom everyday and will continue to include you in my prayers. Denise Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
natalie Posted November 24, 2003 Share Posted November 24, 2003 Kristy- I am so sorry that you have to go through this. You and your family are in my prayers. Please keep us posted. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andrea B. Posted November 25, 2003 Share Posted November 25, 2003 Kristy, My heart breaks for you and the pain you are enduring. My mom too took a very sudden turn for the worst. Her oncologist did start her on Iressa and I pray they will do the same for your mom. I will be praying for her and you. I am here for you. Take care, Andrea Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mirrell Posted November 25, 2003 Share Posted November 25, 2003 I am thinking of you Kristy and sending a prayer for your mom. MIrrell Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dadstimeon Posted November 25, 2003 Share Posted November 25, 2003 Hi Kristy. Prayers coming your way. Peace take care and God Bless. Rich My 2-cents in battling cancer: Stay positive and focused. Never give up, never give in. Take one-step and one day at a time. Never take no for an answer. Enjoy life to it’s fullest. Lots of laughing and yes even crying. It rejuvenates the body. And a lot of praying to the big guy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mhutch1366 Posted November 25, 2003 Share Posted November 25, 2003 Kristi- Prayers for you and your mom both. So sorry you are feeling so badly. Chin up, and have Faith. MaryAnn Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
-Cheryl- Posted November 26, 2003 Share Posted November 26, 2003 Kristy, I agree with Fay, ask for a feeding tube, if that is an option. When I couldn't eat due to esophagitis and nausea, my doctor mentiond a feeding tube to me as an option if I got worse. I have to tell you, that was motivation enough for me to try to eat! Also ask the nurse to bring your mom Boost drinks.Your mom is in my prayers. Cheryl Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hebbie Posted November 26, 2003 Share Posted November 26, 2003 Kristy, Your mother is in my prayers. I agree with the post above -- perhaps a feeding tube will help your mother regain some strength and give the Iressa a chance to work it's magic! Keep your faith, Heather Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anniemac Posted November 26, 2003 Share Posted November 26, 2003 Kristy I'm praying hard for your mom and for you too. Iressa seems to be helping Tim, so go for it. I don't think it will do any harm and she may be one of the lucky ones that it helps. I'm sorry you are having to go through this now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karen Posted November 27, 2003 Share Posted November 27, 2003 Keeping you and your mom in prayer, Kristy. Prayers for good options like a feeding tube to be chosen, prayers for recovery of her own appetite and prayers a full turnaround with Iressa very soon. I know what it's like to go through that appetite thing. Try to insist on something to help deal with this. My heart goes out to you, Kristy. ~Karen M. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kimblanchard Posted November 29, 2003 Share Posted November 29, 2003 Kristi, You and your mom are in my prayers. I agree with the feeding tube if necessary. For the information of all folks with appetite problems who need a supplement- check with your oncology nurse or local chapter of the American Cancer Society. ACS supplies Boost free to those patients the doctor determines need it. Many offices have it available there for patients to pick up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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