A new odour
My mother was diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer 3 years ago. She takes letrazole, palbociclib (3 weeks on/2 off) and has Denosumab injections.
After being away for a couple of weeks ( we share the same house), I have returned to notice that she has an odour particularly later in the day. It is not incontinence related nor BO. It also isn't every day, but most. She is washing as regularly as usual and is more than capable of managing this herself. She has also always had a very keen sense of smell.
My concern is it is a sore/ulcer (her original diagnosis was much delayed due to her secretiveness around a fungating wound, and her denial of any issues!).
Any thoughts?? (and on how I tackle this - she can be difficult and critical of any comments/intervention).
Comments
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Hi @alwaysallie, This is a difficult situation if your mother is capable of managing her medical care. Is there someone else whose advice she might consider? If not, you should broach the topic even if it is likely to be ineffective so you can say you tried.
Sometimes there is a workaround. My DH who has hearing difficulties but sees his doctors independently has given permission to Medicare and his physicians to discuss things with me on the phone based on that communication issue. If not you have no standing to interfere.
Does your mother have in person visits with her MO? Your could call the office, explain the situation to a nurse, acknowledge that this may be overstepping boundaries, and ask if the oncologist could be advised of the possibility. If you are her medical POA your alert might have more standing but it is up to the nurse to follow hospital protocol. All the best.
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