Moms doc appt toady

[randired]

The doctors body language didnt look very good. just her reactions to my moms responses.

Mom ended radiation of the brain on friday and she also had Temador. Today she told the doctor that she still doesnt feel any better with the dizzyness. This is what the doc was concerned about. She upped my moms dosage of steroids to help the swelling go down. Does this mean the radiation didnt work? she will be having another MRI at the end of the month. im crossing my fingers.

her depression is getting worse. She went back to refusing all calls and she is turning away gifts of food and such. She wont step outside unless she has to go to a doctors appointment. I even try to ask her to sit in the car with my baby while i run errands so i dont have to keep putting him in and out of the car. Dad says that its rare that she gets out of bed. and if she does, its only for a short while. He says that she says she feels horrible and just goes and lays in bed. she refuses to turn on the TV or anything. She gets out of bed when i come over with the baby, which is good. i try to bring him over every day. I keep trying to encourage her to do things. i tell her to make a single goal for the day, like doing 1 load of wash or clean the cat litter or watch a movie or something that is simple for her and she would like to do.

The doctor increased her antidepressants, so we are hoping that will help. I told her today that she is he only one that can fight this. she needs to want to defeat this. all of us around her are just here to help her with every step and support her. I am so afraid that she is going to will herself to nothing and make this so much worse than it already has.

The doctor is starting a Gemzar/carbo treatment on the 18th. She needs to have a port placed and they are doing that this week. Can someone tell me if that is a weekly/bimonthly or monthly treatment? i forgot to ask the doctor. if i have to, i will call.

thanks for reading. Sorry its so long.

[kimblanchard]

Hi Randi, sorry your mom is having such a struggle. The WBR really seems to effect people differently, some people literally breeze through it while others really struggle with feeling bad. Sounds like your mom unfortunately falls into the latter camp. Having to increase steroids this close to finishing radiation really doesn't have anything to do with whether or not the radiation worked. Actually the radiation is still working and will continue to work for a couple more months. The steroids are to reduce any inflammation in the brain which can actually be caused by the radiation.

Gemzar/carbo can be given on several different schedules although the most common is to give the gemzar weekly for 2 weeks with the carbo on the first week only. Third week is off and then you repeat it again. Some people give the carbo second week (day 8 ) instead of first week. Personal preference really.

Hope the antidepressants/steroids/healing spirits all kick in soon!

[karenl]

Randi

I'm sorry that your family is having such a tough time. It's great that your Mom perks up a bit when you visit with the baby. Nice for her to have something positive to look forward to every day. I hope that things start to settle down for you soon.

If she is looking for inspiration, you might like to check out Ian Gawler's website - www.gawler.org. He didn't have lung cancer, but 'terminal' osteogenic sarcoma. At one point he was very ill and given about 2 weeks to live. That was 25 years ago, and he is still here today, helping others battle cancer and win. When Mum was first diagnosed, I found it really important to read stories like his, and know that there is always hope.

All the best

Karen

[SJAS]

Sorry things are going so rough Randi. Steve was pretty uncommunicative for a long time during and after his WBR. He pretty much just slept. Who knows if some of that might have been depression, or if it was the only way his body could cope with the massive repair job it was trying to do. The good news is that he did eventually turn things around. She may just need a great deal more time. Hang in there.

[cindi o'h]

Sorry to hear of your mom's feelings of hopelessness. Like the doc said, it may be the treatment and once the swelling is down, she may feel up to resuming finding the joys in her life. Sounds like her grandchild is a boost for her. I am praying for you and your mom. Cindi o'h

[mhutch1366]

I'm praying too.

Depression is terrible,

and if the steroids are behind the mood change,

it makes it that much harder to deal with.

Thank God for grandchildren!

Hoping she's feeling more like herself very soon.

XOXOXOXOXOXOXXOX

MaryAnn

Prayers always

[Don Wood]

Your mom is definitely depressed. You are doing what you need to do by encouraging her to be active and focused on things. Sorry it is a difficult time for you all. The chemo timing varies with the onc and the patient, so her onc needs to answer your question. Praying things take a good turn. Don

[Fay A.]

Randi,

I know how tough this is. And I can't really add anything to what has been said above.

Except for one thing: Your Mom's immune system is seriously depressed right now (cancer, steroids, WBR), and she should not be cleaning out the cat box. That is a chore that someone else should be doing. Not her.