rsnyder Posted November 11, 2008 Share Posted November 11, 2008 I am a new member and hoping to find out more information on non small cell carcinoma. My mother, who is 80 was diagnosed in April 2008. She has elected not to have any treatment and seems to be getting very frail, but with no pain, just more and more nausea. I'm wondering if there is any way to figure out how fast and how long she has left to live. In April the doctor said she would be greatly deteriorated by year end, this seems to be the case. It was determined the cancer had matastesized(sp) but there was no involvement in her brain. Is nausea a sign of progression and does it mean the progression is becoming aggressive? How is a family to know what to expect and how long a person has to live? Thanks, Reed Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rsnyder Posted November 11, 2008 Author Share Posted November 11, 2008 Thank you so much for your quick reply. Medical professionals don't always seem to get how much information is needed. You are very kind. Reed Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SandraL Posted November 11, 2008 Share Posted November 11, 2008 Hi Reed. I am so sorry about your dear mother and your need to be here. As Katie said, there is no way to tell how long a person has. We all need to take each day we have as a blessing and make as many good memories as we can. The most important thing for your mom is to keep her as pain free and comfortable as possible so she can enjoy the time she does have. Keep after those docs to make sure that happens. Take care Sandra Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
recce101 Posted November 11, 2008 Share Posted November 11, 2008 Hi, Reed, welcome to the group. It's hard to be positive when a loved one is slipping away, but the fact that your mom is in no pain is a blessing. Is she receiving hospice support? If you haven't discussed hospice options with her doctor, this would be a good time to ask. For someone being cared for at home, the visits by experienced hospice nurses can be exceedingly helpful to the family as well as to the patient. I second Katie's suggestion to visit cancergrace.org and ask Dr. West your questions on the nausea issue and anything else of concern. Though he can't give specific medical advice to a person who is not his patient, he has a knack for laying out all of the considerations in a clear and objective yet compassionate way. Not only is he an internationally recognized expert on lung cancer, he is committed to answering individual questions online within 24 hours, even on holidays and weekends. With Aloha, Ned Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Larry's Wife Posted November 11, 2008 Share Posted November 11, 2008 Reed, I just wanted to chime in and give you our personal experience. I did some research on the internet and found a list of milestones, if you will, that many people experience as they get closer to death. The very morning my husband passed away, I was telling a friend of ours that I expected him to live for another month or so, at the minimum. But no one can answer your question with any certainty. Just like any other statistic, these milestones were developed from the experiences of a broad range of people. And we are all individual. If, after reading all these responses, you still want the information I compiled, send me a PM. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaminkw Posted November 11, 2008 Share Posted November 11, 2008 Reed, I'm so sorry you had to find this site. I am glad your mother is pain free, but I personally find naseau to be a really debilitating symptom or side-effect. Until the doctors come up with a remedy, if she doesn't have a sugar problem, you could consider picking up some hard candies (flat white with red stripes like a candy cane) that contain real peppermint oil for her to suck on. Or, you can drop two or three in a cup of tea. It can't hurt and she could get at least some temporary relief from the naseau. I'm sending much positive energy and thoughts to you and your mother. Judy in Key West Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MsC1210 Posted November 11, 2008 Share Posted November 11, 2008 Hello Reed and welcome to LCSC I am sorry you had need to find a site like this but glad you have joined us! I cannot add to the advice you have gotten already but I wanted to say hello and welcome you. Please keep posting and let us know how we can help you. There is always someone here who can offer some advice or suggestions or even just listen when you need to talk to someone who understands... Warmly, Christine Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rsnyder Posted November 12, 2008 Author Share Posted November 12, 2008 I am so encouraged to see how many people care about one person's posting. You are all in my prayers and I thank you all for adding your thoughts to my post. As things progress I will try to update my post in hopes that it may lend insight to someone else someday. God Bless, Reed Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
recce101 Posted November 13, 2008 Share Posted November 13, 2008 Reed, I see Dr. West has already answered your question on cancergrace.org, although he's currently at a major conference in Chicago and making a couple of presentations there. He must never be without his laptop. Aloha, Ned Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rsnyder Posted November 13, 2008 Author Share Posted November 13, 2008 Ned, Thanks for letting me know. Dr. West is certainly very diligent about answering questions. He is a pretty amazing man. Reed Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.