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So Papillon's question of the day...
Brain met of 2cm, slowed by rdiotherapy. mets also in liver bone and lungs, all shrunk in size by chemo. Last MRI 2 weeks ago.
Mum has been having chemo on and off for three months. With a couple of weeks off in there. Only just now has she started having bad nausea. Is this right?
She has been hardly able to eat for weeks, has lost lots of weight, but it is worse still now she has nausea too.. Any experiences of chemo creating anorexia?0 -
Papillon chemo will build up in the system and make your mom nauseous. Speak to her doc about this and the fact that she is not eating.........it's very important. He can give her medication to counter these symptoms. Try tempting her with food that she really likes or light soups........she really does need to get a bit of nutrition into her system.
Love n hugs. Chrissy0 -
She manages a small bowl of soup and some porridge each day but that is about all. Not even as much as my two year old. She is seeing the doctor today. Thanks.
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She got more drugs. Different anti nausea to the previous ones.
Almost at the point where my parents are questioning the point of chemo..quality of life and all that. Hoping these drugs do the trick. This is no way to live, she can't enjoy anything with the nausea.
She has lost far too much weight. About 2 stone, thats 28 lbs?, over three months. And she hates the nausea. and the onc is all calm about it. Guess they see it every day so don't feel our panic. Thanks for listening to my ramblings.0 -
Papillon, you are not rambling, you are concerned for your mom and that is as it should be. Talking to someone about what goes through your mind is good for you and I don't mind listening.
I'm glad your mom got different anti nausea meds.......hopefully they will make her feel better so she can eat a little more. Loosing that amount of weight is not good but hopefully now things will get a bit better.
Love n hugs. Chrissy0 -
Thanks. She has lost over 10 percent of her original weight over three months I would say. It's the 10 perent I keep reading about. But yes, hopefully the new meds will work better for her.
It's surreal as she has always been trying to lose weight, and now she can't gain! For my mum to not like chocolate is just weird!
Thanks for your advice each day. Hope you are feeling good today Chrissy xx0 -
Lol Papillon, I can relate to your mom as I'm not a huge fan of chocolate either.......I can take it or leave it. I was thinking earlier about your moms weight loss..........I was wondering would she drink a smoothie? If she would, you could add some protein powder which would help her weight as well as give her body something to work with.
Thank you for asking, I'm doing fine right now and feeling just the usual fatigue.......nothing new.
Love n hugs. Chrissy0 -
Papillon - Have been lurking here a bit and just want to say that I sure hope the new meds help out with your mom's nausea. It is a horrible thing to deal with on a daily basis. Chrissy's idea of smoothies are a great idea, you can add protein powder, spinach, kale, etc. There are also meal supplement/replacements available here, but not sure if you have them where you are. Boost, Ensure, and Glucerna are some of the ones I know of. The boost comes in a smoothie type as well as a juice type.
I have also been dealing with nausea for a long while and although not much fun - forcing ones self to eat is sometime necessary (as long as it doesn't cause vomiting). Other options might be - soda crackers, dry cheerios, rice, mashed potatoes, or anything bland tasting. It is sometimes the smell of food that causes one to become nauseated and not want to eat. Try to encourage her to continue eating and drinking throughout the day.
Please keep us posted on how your mom is doing.
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Papillon,
When my father's kidneys finally failed and he stopped eating, we started making him milkshakes using instant breakfast and ice cream. He hated the taste of the Ensure-style meal replacement shakes, but would drink these milkshakes, and they provided much more nutrition that way. Best of luck to you!0 -
I have a question about bone mets. Which bones to mets mostly go too? I am right handed and my left elbow has been giving me really sharp pains right in the bone. I feel like now I have to worry about every dam bone pain. I did start Metformin, but it doesn't say that is one of the SE.
Thanks, Diana
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Hi ladies~ I need you support, prayers, optimistic thoughts, karma.., whatever it is that your comfortable with for a dear friend of mine (started out a s my very 1st LE patient, many, many years ago!) who was hospitalized this past Tuesday with a systemic blood infection (they believe was caused by her port as she has had it for many, many years). She is having a difficult time coming out of sedation, no doubt conserving her energy to fight this infection. Her BP initially dropped to 50/35, her temp was 102.5. They have her on a mega-dose of antibiotics, and a breathing tube. She had 3.5 litres of fluid removed from her abdomen (paracentisis) due to liver dysfunction and has had this done numerous times in the past. Her kidneys are barely functioning.
I am so fearful that she is coming to the end of this awful journey though there is no talk of that from her husband. She has 2 beautiful daughters age 9 and 12 who need their mother. I'm wondering if I am way off base or if this is a legitimate concern (that she is nearing the end). Can you please shed some of your wisdom on this for me? I look forward to hearing from you. Thank you!
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C-squared - I will keep your friend in my thoughts and prayers. Hoping that she will be able to fight off the infection and begin to heal. It is sad to know that so many women with young children are having to deal with all of the crap that goes with this vicious disease. Please know that there have been many women who have dealt with terrible illness and have found themselves able to get back to where they are doing well again.
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Your friend and her family are in my thoughts.
I am terrified of my mother passing, but am telling myself that when it happens it is ok, it is what she needs - she is tired and needs such a rest. When her body and mind can take no more she will take herself off for a big lie down...The deepest most comfortable sleep, when she won't hurt anymore , she won't have to fight, her battle will be over she will be safe and at peace. When I see it like this I think or hope i can cope.0 -
Hi C-squared I'm so sorry to hear about your friend. Her system is under tremendous pressure at the moment with the systemic infection. Her major organs will be struggling to function and because of the extra put on them by the infection may fail. I'm really sorry to tell you that but it is a reality that is a real possibility. Having said that, I'm sure no one is giving up on her and miracles do happen. Sending prayers and good thoughts her way for you and hoping that she gets to spend a lot more time with her family.
Please let us know how she gets on.
Love n hugs. Chrissy0 -
Thank you all! Chrissy, that is what I am most fearful of but I had a strong feeling that it truly is a reality. Thank you for validating my thoughts. Of course I am not giving up either but I do know the situtation is dire.
Even if she does pull through this, I wonder what her quality of life will be. She has had nothing but trouble with this most current round of chemo.., what she refers to as the "strongest she can receive" after 8 years of chemo cycles and cyber-knife radiation this past fall. Ugh! I am SO sad and SO hopeful!!! Thanks again to all! I am so thankful that I have you and many more like you on these boards!
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8 years of chemo!..wow that is hard core. The poor lady. Wishing you all the very best of luck xx
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Yes, on & off for 8 years! She is quite the fighter!!! I KNOW her spirit is willing to continue the fight, just not sure her body can take anymore!
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Mum has a week off chemo then two more weeks on.then that is her done. What happens next? I am so confused about what "hospice" means. How long can someone with metastatic bc continue to live? (Brain, liver, bone, lung)? Mum is so looking forward to chemo being over.
I have so many questions..just feel so very lost...
I don't know if to expect a golden summer where she starts to feel better and smiles more, or if the end will come soon? I know that she wants chemo done and for that to be happening soon I am very happy. I just don't have a clue what the next stage involves. She is her2+ which I think is an aggressive fast mover?
I don't like to ask. And I don't think she knows the answers either.
I know I read somewhere that mbc patients have treatment fr the rest of their levies...so does this mean that once treatment is stopped the cancer returns fairly rapidly? It's like a horse champing at the bit, being held back only by chemo? So once the chemo stops is gallops on ahead?
But some have had lesions disappear due to chemo right? So at gives hope of there being some time....
But I guess the brain tumour is our biggest worry? I need a medic to explain it...
What are others' experiences?
I feel guilty coming on this board and asking about death...but it is such a massive prt of this horrendous ordeal...and one I don't think her onc has mentioned yet. I don't go to appointments with her so can't ask.
I know the answer will be that everyone varies...but how do I get answers?!....I know - llive for now, love mum now...and I do...but I live in another country so don't get to see her as often as I would like...have booked visits for June and July so far but once. Month hardly seems enough if we have a short time left in this world with her. Gosh it is all so heartbreaking, as I know you all know only too well.
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Hi Ladies~ I am sorry to say that my dear friend has passed. I know she is at peace but I am still SO sad! She was truly an inspiration and helped to guide me through the beginning of my bc journey lovingly, all the while fighting her own battle. She is a true warrior and will be missed!!!
Thank you all, again, for your prayers!
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C-squared, I am so sorry for your loss. I lost my best friend to ovarian cancer about 12 years ago, and she also left a daughter who was just entering her teenage years. She went through as much treatment as she could tolerate, and when she got an overwhelming infection and all her organs shut down, she and her family were able to spend some very important time together, knowing that she was not going to survive. It was so sad, and yet, time has healed a lot of the raw pain. And it is true pain and grief, and I wish you did not have to go through this. Prayers for you and your friend's family.
I think someone asked about hospice on this thread. Hospice is a wonderful option for ANYONE who is deemed to have less than 6 months to live by their physician, including those with heart disease, lung disease, kidney disease, Altzheimers disease, cancer, and any other disease. Hospice may be in patient or out patient care for the patient AND family/caregivers. It is a concept as much as a place, to provide physical, mental, and spiritual support. I have had the privilege of seeing hospice work for many patients and their families, including my grandmother and my father.
Palliative care is another concept that is available to ANYONE who has a life-altering or life-threatening disease, including heart disease, lung disease, cancer, etc. Patients may continue life-saving treatment, and there is no requirement that they be terminal, but SEs, pain, and psychosocial support are all included. It is available for ANY BC patient, regardless of stage, and can be very helpful for those going through chemo, surgery, radiation.0 -
Oh dear Lord C squared I am so very sorry for your loss. Im praying for you and her family.
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Sorry for your loss c squared. She sounded to be quite a remarkable fighter. Xx
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Thank youLinda.
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So sorry for the passing of your friend c-squared. God Bless you and her family.
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Macy~~How are you doing? I've been thinking of you lately. I finished weekly Taxol on Friday. On May 31, I get an MRI and full body bone scan to rule out mets to the shoulder.
Blessings
Paula0 -
C-squared - Sorry to hear of your friend's passing. Condolences to you and to her family.
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C-squared I'm so sorry for the loss of your friend. Blessings to you and her family.
Papillon, checking into Palliative or Hospice may be a good thing for your mom and they will be able to tell you more of what's going on with her as well. In either case, she will certainly be more comfortable. Her2+ is usually give Herceptin for a year then discontinued and there are only a couple of chemos that pass the blood/brain barrier for brain mets and if she has already been given those then there is very little else. I think taking the time to talk to her doc with your moms permission would be a very good idea. At least then you would really know what her medical position is and you can make travel decisions better.
Love n hugs. Chrissy0 -
Thanks. I don't really feel comfortable with that. And there is rarely time for me to make such a serious call (3 kiddos under 5 charging about here!..). I will speak with my dad when I am there in June. It's a conversation that needs a hug with it, not for the phone.
Here ends my barrage of questions. Good luck ladies. X0 -
Hi Soteria, I am doing pretty good. My mo took me off of Taxol because my nails turned black and the neurothopy in my hands. I am now on long term Abraxane, I have very little se's with it. Just the taste buds are shot on treatment day, I am 3 weeks on 1 off. I still have hair on head, but cut it short and I love it. No eyebrows or lashes but I have learned to put on make up. How have you been doing? I miss the conversations and people we used to have.My mo is going to do a Pet Pet scan in June to see how I'm doing. My labs continue to be normal.
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hi Everyone! Well i got the call from my Dr. they aren't entirely sure whats on my lungs, a spot is evident as the other spot appears to be a node. They've opted to push to chemo and do another scan in 3 months. More waiting. feeling very numb to this process and just want to get on with my life. I am having intense anger and frustration this week not sure where its all coming from. Not normally a person that lashes out or gets angry but man alive has my temper been quick this last week.
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