Just diagnosed. Mom is in stage four!!!

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  • didda566
    didda566 Member Posts: 102
    edited April 2006
    Grammy is begging God to take her. She is constantly in pain and all the doctor was giving her was tylenol. The nurses asked him to prescribe something, so he relented. What was he thinking? To save the meds for someone not so old and likely to die? Beast!
    Went to visit Mom today. Dad's family is coming back to the Island, circling Grammy's belongings like vultures. They came to visit, one caused an argument with Dad and he kicked her out.
    Mom doesn't want them around as nothing good can come from having them in the same room ad Dad. I am so on Mom's side. Arguments and family squabbles are not what she needs.
    Today she found out that her clot factor is high enough that she can come off one medication (the daily needle). She is still on warfarin (rat poison, blood thinnner).
    She is so strong. She has to be to keep Dad's spirits up too! Lucky me to have such a wonderful role model!!!
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  • cowgirl
    cowgirl Member Posts: 777
    edited April 2006

    You sound strong and a chip off your mom's block! Your poor Grammy though, pain is not fun! I am still praying for you and your family!!!

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  • csp
    csp Member Posts: 2,765
    edited April 2006
    That awful Doctor, and I use the term Doctor lightly!!
    Poor Grammy, I hope the new meds help her get out of pain.
    That is exactly what my DH calls family memebers like that Vultures!
    Some nursing homes have a hospice wing , if so if you can get her there or ask them to call in hospice they will take so much better care of her needs, and get her out of pain. bless her heart.

    Hang in there! What a bunch of muck you all are having to endure!

    Carrie
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  • didda566
    didda566 Member Posts: 102
    edited April 2006
    Grammy is now medicated. If they can do nothing else, give a 98 year old some relief. I want her to be at peace, but loathe the fallout from the family.
    My work is so supportive. My principal just lost his Mother, and is quite understanding.
    Mom went for more blood work. She really is getting stronger. She is still complaining about her leg. She is looking forward to getting back walking around.
    So glad Easter Week-end is here. I have four days to do what I want, when I want.
    And I am going to start by getting Grammy chocolates. It is pretty much all she eats. We usually bring a box with every visit. Who could tell me no, when it is what she loves!!
    Mom doesn't have to go back the hospital until next week. She loves the fact that she doesn't have to travel. And still no side effects. I guess she is just too stubborn!!! gotta love that!
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  • didda566
    didda566 Member Posts: 102
    edited April 2006

    What is a dh?

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  • cowgirl
    cowgirl Member Posts: 777
    edited April 2006

    Dear Husband!

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  • didda566
    didda566 Member Posts: 102
    edited April 2006
    Can anyone tell me what these medications are and if anyone is on them about side effects, whether or not they are effective or anything of interest. Mom is just accepting what the doctors give her, without questions. I am going with her for her next visit with her oncologist and her second round of chemo, so if there are any questions I should be asking, please let me know!
    Zetran - taken twice a day after her chemo for three days
    Decadron - also taken for three days after chemo (I think)
    apo-metocolop (possibly an anit-nausea???)
    She is also on warfarin, an anit-clotting med for her blood clot.
    Thanks
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  • csp
    csp Member Posts: 2,765
    edited April 2006
    Dexamethasone
    Provided by:
    Last Updated: February 13, 2004
    Pronunciation: dex a MEH tha sone
    Brand Names: Decadron, Dexamethasone Intensol, Dexone, Hexadrol
    What is the most important information I should know about dexamethasone?
    Do not stop taking dexamethasone suddenly if you have been taking it for a few weeks. You may need a gradual reduction in dosage before you stop taking this medication.
    Take dexamethasone with food or milk to lessen stomach upset.

    Carry some type of medical identification that will let others know you are taking dexamethasone in the case of an emergency.

    What is dexamethasone?
    Dexamethasone is in a class of drugs called steroids. Dexamethasone reduces swelling and decreases the body's immune response.

    Dexamethasone is used to treat many different conditions. It is used to treat endocrine (hormonal) disorders when the body does not produce enough of its own steroids. It is also used to treat many immune and allergic disorders, such as arthritis, lupus, severe psoriasis, severe asthma, ulcerative colitis, and Crohn's disease.
    Decadron
    Dexamethasone may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.




    Apo-Metoclop
    The Following Information Provided by Thomson MICROMEDEX

    Also known as:
    GENERIC NAME(S):
    Metoclopramide (Systemic)



    Metoclopramide (met-oh-kloe-PRA-mide) is a medicine that increases the movements or contractions of the stomach and intestines. When given by injection, it is used to help diagnose certain problems of the stomach and/or intestines. It is also used by injection to prevent the nausea and vomiting that may occur after treatment with anticancer medicines. Another medicine may be used with metoclopramide to prevent side effects that may occur when metoclopramide is used with anticancer medicines. More...


    Zetran sounds like an anti-nausea?

    Hope this helps~
    Carrie
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  • cowgirl
    cowgirl Member Posts: 777
    edited April 2006

    Could it be Zofran? It is used for chemo nausea.

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  • didda566
    didda566 Member Posts: 102
    edited April 2006
    Grammy is now on injections of morphine. She has her birthday tomorrow. No party this year. She is now refusing liquids and solids. We brought over chocolate, which she LOVED. Not today.
    The nurse managed to swab her mouth with water on a sponge.
    Took my neice out of Mom's house yesterday for most of the day, giving her a break (My sister's kids are not the easiest.... they take after my sister!)
    Brought Mom back an Easter basket with the UgliEsT pig, and a tomato. The tomato was to offset the chocolate inside it!!!
    She is doing so great. She said, "Let the doctors do their thing with chemo and then I will take care of the rest!" She is bending her knee, determined to get her leg working in order to avoid physio.
    Hope everyone had a terrific Easter. My kids got two new videos to add to our collection. Tonight we enjoyed Mermaidia (a Barbie movie). Tomorrow night it is Chicken Little.
    I cannot believe I am tired, with the amount of chocolate I have consumed this evening!
    And yes, Cowgirl, it could be Zofran. Mom didn't have her glasses on when she was reading the names to me.
    Thanks for the help everyone!
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  • didda566
    didda566 Member Posts: 102
    edited April 2006

    Gram passed away this morning. It is her 98th birthday.

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  • KariLynn
    KariLynn Member Posts: 1,079
    edited April 2006

    I'm sorry for your loss.

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  • jgrjunque
    jgrjunque Member Posts: 47
    edited April 2006

    I'm so sorry. My own grandmother lived to age 97, and when we lost her, it was still the biggest shock. It's almost like the longer we have them, the more we begin to think, somewhere in the back of our minds, that we'll have them forever.

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  • csp
    csp Member Posts: 2,765
    edited April 2006
    I am so sorry for you loss. Grammy is with the Angels,

    No more pain, No more suffering.

    My deepest heartfelt sympathies to you.



    Carrie
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  • cowgirl
    cowgirl Member Posts: 777
    edited April 2006

    So sorry to hear this, I will continue to pray for you and your family as you go through this trial.

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  • didda566
    didda566 Member Posts: 102
    edited April 2006
    Is breast cancer passed down from the paternal side of the family? My father's Mother and her daughter (his sister) had it. My aunt has a mascetomy.
    I had heard that it was from your Mom's side only.
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  • cowgirl
    cowgirl Member Posts: 777
    edited April 2006

    For me it may be on the maternal that was from the paternal. So it can do that according to my genetic doctor!

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  • didda566
    didda566 Member Posts: 102
    edited April 2006

    So your Mother's Father's side? interesting. That means I have it on both sides. YIKES!

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  • csp
    csp Member Posts: 2,765
    edited April 2006
    Just checking in on you Hon.
    How are you doing?
    It is a real eye opener is'nt it once we start thinking about our risk? A mammogram is never the same thoughtless got to get this done once a year thing again . That stupid nagging oh crap feeling is there now!
    I use to feel that way about my paps too before my hysterectomy because my Mom had uterine cancer.

    Check in when you are feeling up to it

    Thinking of you~
    Carrie
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  • cowgirl
    cowgirl Member Posts: 777
    edited April 2006

    You have to look at the whole family tree really. What I thought was high risk for Colon was low risk. Don't panic yet, it only counts if they are dxed before age 50!

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  • didda566
    didda566 Member Posts: 102
    edited April 2006
    Okay. I think my aunt was diagnosed before she was fifty. Otherwise, all were older.
    My Mom just started losing her hair today. She said her scalp is tender too. It has been fifteen days since she had her first treatment. Someone here told me to tell her that hair loss starts 15 days after first treatment. So at least she knows what is coming up.
    I am taking her for next round next Monday. And what a day she has planned!
    First is Dr. Miller about her leg, the pin and an x-ray. That is at 7:20am. Next, it's over to the Cancer Treatment Center (next door, but connected to the hospital) for a bone strengthener, blood work, a visit with her oncologist, and then, if the blood work turns out well, round two of chemo.
    They are so wonderful at the CT Center. It has just been built and so comfortable. There are books, magazines (that are up-to-date), a fireplace, a volunteer comes along with a cart for treats, coffee etc. If you are there for lunch, they provide lunch for you and your guest AND they give you a parking pass!
    My Mom is so wonderful! She goes through all this with a smile on her face. She is strong, and I know half of the reason is because of her family.
    Mind you, I still haven't convinced her to tell her Father yet. He is a bit of a health freak, convinced he can destroy all cancer cells with five hundred different herbs and vitamins, as well as his "zapper", which is hooked up to a 9volt battery!
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  • KariLynn
    KariLynn Member Posts: 1,079
    edited April 2006
    I think I've read that it is easier on your scalp to go ahead and shave it because then you don't have to deal with the pulling (or something like that.) Just remember people being relieved when they just took it off.

    It's great that you are able to be there for your mom! I'm sure she really loves that. Your dad makes me think of the dad in My Big Fat Greek Wedding who could cure anything with Windex!

    Take care of yourself!
    Kari
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  • cowgirl
    cowgirl Member Posts: 777
    edited April 2006

    She sounds strong, and prepared! The center sounds like a dream come true, if you have to go there! Just expect her to be more fatigued with every treatment.

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  • csp
    csp Member Posts: 2,765
    edited April 2006
    The scalp is tender when the hair is falling out,
    and hair gets into everything! shower time can be an unpleasant adventure when her hair has started to fall out.

    My sister shaved or rather her DH did it for her and she said it felt so much better and not so tender.

    Yes, the effects of chemo are accumalitive, like cowgirl said.

    Hugs,
    Carrie
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  • didda566
    didda566 Member Posts: 102
    edited April 2006
    MY Grandfather is the one who is BIG into herbal medicine! He is the one that Mom doesn't want told. So her wish is our command. Only now, I have to avoid MSN as he is always on, asking to talk! I don't want to slip up.
    Luckily, he lives in Manitoba and won't accidently run into someone who knows!
    My lovely Mom. I can't stand the thought of her going through this bull.
    Thanks for the advice and the what's next!!!!
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  • lynnes
    lynnes Member Posts: 6
    edited April 2006
    Hi 566didda,
    I've been reading your posts and keeping you in my prayers. My mom always wore pretty scarves when her hair fell out. At first it bugged her and then she said it was so easy to get ready and not have to deal with her hair!

    Carrie -- love the new cutie on your posts.

    KariLynn -- I HAD a Big Fat Greek Wedding (DH is Greek) so any reference to that makes me smile, which you know I need to do as of late.
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  • cowgirl
    cowgirl Member Posts: 777
    edited April 2006
    Oh your mom is amazing, I love watching women being strong! There is a respect they get from watching a woman fight so hard, and yet so gracefully!

    lynnes I love that Movie! I love Olives too! Course I love food so the movie made sense to me! Family surrounded around a table is heaven to me!
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  • didda566
    didda566 Member Posts: 102
    edited April 2006
    I cut Mom's hair short tonight. She is still smiling, and she said that if this is the only side effect the drugs are going to give her, she will be fine, but I can see that losing her hair bugs her.
    I also gave my son Matt a trim around the back and ears, and Mom promptly forgot about her hair. Matt was screaming like someone just cut off his ears! He said it tickled and that was why he screamed. Truth is, he hates his hair cuts. He got Mom laughing, which is why we went out in the first place.
    I love my Mom.
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  • csp
    csp Member Posts: 2,765
    edited April 2006
    Your Mom sounds like a very strong woman and she sounds like she has an attitude that will carry her far!

    I"m telling you grandbabies are the best medicine!

    Hugs,
    Carrie
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  • didda566
    didda566 Member Posts: 102
    edited May 2006
    I went with Mom today. What a day, too! I got up at five, showered and drove to her house. We left for town at 6:30. She had an appointment with the "leg" doctor at 7:20. Off to x-ray and then to chat with the doctor. Leg is healing fine, but still no walking on it for another six weeks. Then it was a trip to the cancer treatment center for blood work. After coffee and snack from the treat cart, it was to what I call, the Laz-e-boy room. There are comfy recliners up both walls, on both sides of the room. She chose one and they started her on a two hour drip of "bone stregthener". From there, it was a meeting with her oncologist, who basically said they would wait and see if the chemo was working, checked out her right breast and nodes to see if any changes had occured, and then they served us lunch and finally we went for the chemo. Two different chemos and one anti-nausea for two more hours. They then gave us a parking pass and out we went. I drove her home, then came back home myself (all right, after one quick stop at Sears, as Clinique has bonus days, and the bonus pack had some great stuff!!!)
    We were at the hospital from 7-2:30. The doctor said that at some point they will be removing the right breast to eliminate any problems it may create. (There is still a large lesion on it.)
    Has anyone ever heard of Zeolite? It is alternative therapy, which a friend of a friend is taking and suggested it to me for Mom. Apparently, it takes the toxic metals from the body..... Anyways, I would hate to overlook anything. Mom is too important.
    I missed you all this week-end!
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