kimblanchard Posted November 26, 2003 Share Posted November 26, 2003 My mother went into the hospital last night because she was in so much pain. A week ago her CT scan showed no change which we were somewhat happy about since we thought the chemo stopped the progression. But since then the area in her spine which was where most of the tumors were must have grown because her pain became increasingly worse and unmanageable. She was taking 6 30 mg ms-contin and 2 percocets every 4 hrs. which was doing nothing for pain. I can't imagine such progession in just a week. They will not continue chemo until the pain is under control. She cannot have radiation to her back because of the extensiveness of the area and they cannot put in a pain pumb because she has a colostomy and because of the extent of the disease. Just as I left the hospital the nurse bumped her morphine drip up to a 20 which will probably knock her out. Is there anything else that can be done? She wants to fight to live but just cannot tolerate the pain anymore. I don't know what to do. Kim Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MO_Sugar Posted November 26, 2003 Share Posted November 26, 2003 Kim, I am sorry to hear about your Mom. I have no answers to your quations other than to just love her and be there for her when you can. God Bless and you will be in my prayers. MO Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
christymike Posted November 27, 2003 Share Posted November 27, 2003 What about her trying Zometa? That is used for the bones if i am correct? Has any options been discussed? Stay strong and remember positive thoughts bring positive surroundings. I will pray for you guys. God Bless. Christy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kimblanchard Posted November 27, 2003 Author Share Posted November 27, 2003 Thank you Mo and Christy for your responses. I will ask the Dr. about Zometa. Don't know anything about it. My mother is still hanging in there at the hospital. They are trying to wean her down from the morphine drip to a pill form. The pain is finally under control but she is so doped up she can hardly communicate. The only option now is to switch chem. He will be giving her Gemzar once she is stabilized for a day or so. I keep praying. I think as long as she has a breath in her body she will fight. Happy Thanksgiving! I am very thankful that my mother is still alive. Kim Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluebayou Posted November 27, 2003 Share Posted November 27, 2003 Dear Kim.. What a sad way to spend this Thanksgiving...worrying and hurting for your mother. But please believe that sometimes one can be so down and apparently out of it, and some drug is administered or some procedure is carried out and BOOM, your mother could be a very different woman in just days.. I hope and pray with all of my heart that this will be the case for your mother, yourself and your loved ones. God is with you..walking this difficult path hand in hand. Just believe and trust that it is so. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don Wood Posted November 28, 2003 Share Posted November 28, 2003 Lucie's onc has told us that pain control is first priority -- then comes cancer treatment. We believe this. So I think the priority is right. Hang in there. Don Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SpellBinder Posted November 28, 2003 Share Posted November 28, 2003 I can sure understand how you feel...My father had a similar problem actually he had it in his spine, L14 and 15 and the pain was beyond believe i could see it on his face and and the doctors did a radiation on that area and conitnued his chemo.....it took well over a week for any pain reduction......now he gets pain there but not as severe as before. and somehow it can be controlled by pain killers (Morphine that is) Although cancer never gives time for a person but you have to give time for the pain to go away.....and believe me at times we can do nothing but to sit and pray Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
onelunger Posted November 28, 2003 Share Posted November 28, 2003 Hi Grix..please ask doctor about "Strontium 89"..I have mentioned it before on this board, but no one seems to know much about it but myself...I certainly believe in it....am praying for your mom...Mary Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kimblanchard Posted November 28, 2003 Author Share Posted November 28, 2003 Thank you all for your replies. It really means so much to me. Francine- Thank you for your kind words. A Thanksgiving I will not forget. I did have one great thing to be thankful for. I still have my mom. Don- Yes pain control is first priority-wow it's unbelievable the level of pain a person can experience. Spellbinder- Sorry your dad experienced such pain. I'm glad he was able to get radiation. My mother can't because of the extent of disease. Mary- You were the one who mentioned that Strontium 89! I almost forgot about that. I told many people about that. After reading your email I called my sister at the hospital to ask the doctor about that. Thank you! Today my mother is still stable. She is hanging in there. I am so greatful for her strength. The pain is under control but we are still waiting to get her to a level where she can take pills and come home. We will all get through this. I am so lucky to have found all of you! Kim Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mhutch1366 Posted November 29, 2003 Share Posted November 29, 2003 Kim, Ask your doctor about Fentanyl, or the Fentanyl patch, it is for opioid resistant pain, and I had to use them for a while. Major player in combatting pain where morphine doesn't seem to help. God bless you all, MaryAnn Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kimblanchard Posted November 30, 2003 Author Share Posted November 30, 2003 MaryAnn, The doctors put two of them on my mom. Most of the pain was gone for about a day until they lowered her morphine. They had to increase again because the pain was coming back. It's such a fine line. I'm hoping they will find the right level so she is comfortable without being too sleepy and unable to function. Kim Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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