Talk Cancer

Question:

Well, I guess it’s my turn to ask the kind folks on the NG for prayers for my mom and our family.  I’ve recently spent most of the winter in Florida taking care of my mom, who has been diagnosed with glioblastoma multiforme Grade IV, a very aggressive form of brain cancer. The two blessings with this type of cancer is it doesn’t metastasize into the body, and it is a primary cancer (doesn’t metastasize from elsewhere in the body). Surgery isn’t an option since the second tumor is too large and vascular.   My DH and I made the decision to move her up here with us in Charlotte, NC, as we had no jobs (and thus no insurance for ourselves) in Fla., and we both love this city and the state.

<snip Debbie, Please know you’re in my thoughts. I lost an aunt to brain cancer when I was a teenager, so I can sympathize with what you are going thru to an extent. I am in Charlotte, NC, too. If you need to talk or vent or whatever, please contact me. I won’t post my home phone number here but if you’ll email me I’ll send it. I can be reached at Alicia X/usa/DBF+3/-/-/5C/1D/X/OH/:-X/P/GG-NG/Wo/DMC/M/B/B/R~/S-/Kc/ E/-*/-*/Patrick Stewart, Mel Gibson/Elizabeth Peters/Everlasting Gobstoppers, Chili Cheese Fritos, chocolate *don’t care one way or the other

Response:

Debbie, I will pray for you and your family.  You are a wonderful daughter for taking such good care of your mother.  I will also pray that you will have peace with any decisions you will be required to make during this trying time. Laura Laura C. Be a life long or short, it’s completeness depends on what it was lived for……David Jordan

Response:

Well, I guess it’s my turn to ask the kind folks on the NG for prayers for my

mom and our family. All our hearts send love to your mom.   I wish you both courage and grace at times of trouble. Nova

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Debbie,      You will have to make some difficult decisions, and some of the hardest will be, perhaps, to do nothing agressive and just help to make her comfortable.  I am a nurse and would recommend that you contact hospice if you already haven’t done so. They can provide emotional as well as physical help for your whole family.  I will be thinking of you.                                                                   Carole – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Well, I guess it’s my turn to ask the kind folks on the NG for prayers for my mom and our family. All our hearts send love to your mom. I wish you both courage and grace at times of trouble. Nova

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I send my love and prayers to you and your family from the UK. God Bless. Jill

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All of our thoughts and best wishes to you and your family in this most difficult time.  Prayers and blessings… ~ Ree       May those that love us, love us.  Those that don’t love us, may God turn their hearts.  If he cannot turn their hearts, may He turn their ankles, so we may know them by their limping.                    -old Gaelic blessing

Response:

I am a nurse and would recommend that you contact hospice if you already haven’t done so.

Debbie,     I am also a nurse and I strongly second this idea. Also see about respite care – hospice can help with this – gives you a breather every so often. With Alzheimer’s, brain cancer, and other problems that affect mental status, this can be a big help for the caregiver.        I will keep you in my prayers and in my thoughts. Someone on this newsgroup once said that sometimes the tapestry of life is woven with darker threads in which our love and care shine like gold. I would say that applies to your love for your mother. Take care, Lollee

Response:

Another suggestion is to contact your local parish.  Our parish, St. Bernadette’s,  has a hospice group and a group of women that can come in and assist (you can arrange for someone to come every week one or two days a week if you want) you in giving you a breather. These services are free of charge.  Many large parishes have such things. Tammi

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I am a nurse and would recommend that you contact hospice if you already haven’t done so. Debbie,    I am also a nurse and I strongly second this idea. Also see about respite care – hospice can help with this – gives you a breather every so often. With Alzheimer’s, brain cancer, and other problems that affect mental status, this can be a big help for the caregiver.       I will keep you in my prayers and in my thoughts. Someone on this newsgroup once said that sometimes the tapestry of life is woven with darker threads in which our love and care shine like gold. I would say that applies to your love for your mother. Take care, Lollee

Response:

I have had dealings with Hospice when my dad was dying, and they were truly angelic people.  One of the oncologists I spoke with likes Hospice but has a problem with them only being able to visit when someone is at home with the patient.  Right now we haven’t come to that point, as she’s pretty much able to do things on her own. My church has also repeatedly offered to come and stay with mom a few hours while DH and I take a break and go out somewhere together, but we haven’t needed to do that yet.  I’m just glad to know that the help will be there when we need it. Feather hugs, Debbie – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I am a nurse and would recommend that you contact hospice if you already haven’t done so. Debbie,    I am also a nurse and I strongly second this idea. Also see about respite care – hospice can help with this – gives you a breather every so often. With Alzheimer’s, brain cancer, and other problems that affect mental status, this can be a big help for the caregiver.       I will keep you in my prayers and in my thoughts. Someone on this newsgroup once said that sometimes the tapestry of life is woven with darker threads in which our love and care shine like gold. I would say that applies to your love for your mother. Take care, Lollee

Response:

Well, I guess it’s my turn to ask the kind folks on the NG for prayers for my mom and our family.  I’ve recently spent most of the winter in Florida taking care of my mom, who has been diagnosed with glioblastoma multiforme Grade IV, a very aggressive form of brain cancer. The two blessings with this type of cancer is it doesn’t metastasize into the body, and it is a primary cancer (doesn’t metastasize from elsewhere in the body). Surgery isn’t an option since the second tumor is too large and vascular.   My DH and I made the decision to move her up here with us in Charlotte, NC, as we had no jobs (and thus no insurance for ourselves) in Fla., and we both love this city and the state.   About a month ago, mom had a follow up CT brain scan, and the smaller tumor that had been excised during the biopsy had not returned, but the larger tumor had grown, even during the radiation treatment.  Her medical oncologist is strongly urging her to have chemotherapy, but she doesn’t want it and refuses it.   The really nasty thing about this particular type of cancer is what it does to the mind.  The tumors are in the frontal lobes where most of the complex thinking takes place.  It affects her speech, memory, even her emotions.  It’s like living with a stranger who looks like my mom. Anyway, the doctor’s keeping her on steroids to help keep the swelling under control, but I think that’s starting to show signs of failing as she’s becoming more difficult to work with.  It’s a hard thing to watch, especially since I lost my dad to prostate-to-bone and lung cancer 11 years ago. So anyway, I’d like to ask for prayers to help give us the strength to get through these difficult times, and the wisdom to know what are the right decisions and when to make them, and that my mom doesn’t have to suffer the pain cancer can bring.   Thanks. Feather hugs, Debbie

Response:

Debbie ‘n Ted, All my prayers and good thoughts are coming your way.   We’ll be thinking of you often. Brynn

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