Mom

Hello, I have procrastinated posting on this site but have read and used this site for support for months. My Mom was diagnosed January 23, 2008 It had already spread to the Liver and the lymphnodes. I do believe it was only discovered due to the fact that she had pneumonia also. She went through 3 rounds of chemo with excellent results. Her left lung had collapsed when they tried to do the biopsy. However, the chemo did it's thing, shrunk the tumor and the lung became functional again. With being stage IV we were told we were not a canidate for surgery. She has been very strong and very active since then, That is up until the 1st of June. The cancer did attack the brain and even with trying radiation it had spread to far. and I hate to report she passed away June 28. She was only able She put up a great fight. Upon diagnosis I was told 2 wks to 2 months at best. She survived 5 months and 5 days. I count every extra day as a blessing. As her primary care giver we shared a lot of great moments and she came to terms with her destiny. I am still working on the coming to term thing. I will miss here terribly and keep her in my heart always. I do appreciate you guys continuing to support me and others.

By RiaRia
Posted July 21, 2008 at 8:39 pm

Wow that is so sad - i am so very sorry for your loss. I guess the "extra months" seem like a gift. Again, you have my sincere condolences on the loss of your mom. You sound like a great daughter.
Maria

By FOZ
Posted July 21, 2008 at 9:38 pm

Words just can't express the sadness I feel for you at this very difficult time. Everyday we have with the ones we love is such a blessing as we never know the day or time we will not see them again. I hope time will ease your burden .
Foz

By MrsC
Posted July 21, 2008 at 10:40 pm

Thank you so much. Each extra Day was truly a blessing and I learned so much about priorities during this time. Thank you for your kind words.

By Bighair
Posted July 21, 2008 at 11:38 pm

Dear MrsC,

My condolences. I'm glad you and your family were given those extra months. Every day counts with this disease.

Sincerely,
Cheryl

By MIMIS_GIRLS
Posted July 22, 2008 at 10:06 am

I am so very sorry. I lost my mom as well, so unfortunately i know just how you are feeling. As a lot of people have said ( even on this site) to try and think of all that you had and know how much she is loves you and will always be in your heart. It's going to be hard, just let yourself grieve. I wish you well.
-n

By BlondeScarlett1
Posted July 22, 2008 at 11:05 am

Dear MrsC.,

I am so sadden by your story, with the great loss of your dear mother. Reading it (minus my demise as of yet) is almost like cloning my experiences, with my cancer.

I also was in the hospital with pneumonia, back in 10/2007. Then, I was sent home with oxygen and an appointment with a pulmonary Dr. It was due to him taking an x-ray and doing that endoscopic throat procedure on me, when he told me I had malignant cancer in my right lung. Also, I had emphysema there, too.

I was sent from his office, to see and talk with my now Oncologist. PET and CT scans were ordered on me to have the following day. Only then, could my Dr. DX what type of cancer I had, to be able to treat it as it must be treated for me. It was on 12/07, that I was formally DX with, Extensive Small Cell Lung Cancer. (ESCLC) By this time, my lung cancer had already mets. to my liver and bones.

I now know, that there is NO expiration date stamped on any of us cancer patients. Since, back then my two adult children kept asking about how much time might I have to live. My Dr. told them it could be from say 8 months, 18 months, or 2 years at best for me. But, we shouldn't think about that.

Before I could start chemo treatments right away, I passed out in my parked car, in my driveway. I had pulled into it, turned my car off, and just laid there for 8 hrs. You see, dear. My lung had collapsed and my oxygen level was almost gone by then.

I was rushed to the hospital. That was after my son had gotten home from his job. He found me slumped back and over in my car seat. Once in the hospital, they were trying desperately to get my oxygen level where it should be with me. I almost died.

When I finally did wake-up a day later, I was told they had placed a 'port' inside my upper right chest area. They had already started my first chemo therapy session while I slept. It was the last day of that chemo being done on me. When I finally left the hospital, I did four total chemo sessions. Then it was time for my first scans to be done on me.

Those scan results were great. A miracle it was, my Dr, told me. All my inside cancers had shrunk a ton, and have stopped growing. But, I was asked to do 2 more chemo sessions to just make sure of it all staying halted. Which I did. Now, I was in a holding pattern. I reckon, like in a remission state, it was for me.

In between this. I had right eye cataract surgery done on myself. Then, it was time for my second scans to be done on myself. However, other than the normal scans they do on us, I requested to also have a brain scan added onto the other scans. Call it a hunch on my part. Or, my woman's intuition at very least. I felt I had to have this done for me. I am so happy I did that.

I called my Dr. for the test results. I gave her 2 days and called her. She called me back to say,"Rose, we have a problem, hon. The brain scan showed that you have 3 lesions/tumors on your brain. But, you/we caught them early on. They are small in size. You have that in your favor." I asked her what is our plan to take care of it?

She said she wanted me to do WBR. (full brain radiation) The radiation department would be calling me soon. Which they did. I met with the head man there. We talked about everything and he told me his plan for my treatment. I am to have a total of 15 (one per day) radiology treatments. But, before anything is to be done. He wanted me to have an MRI done on my brain. Just to make sure there is not like 33 lesions there, instead of 3. I had it done the next morning and saw him that evening, with my daughter.

He told us that there was not 3 lesions on my brain, but 13 were found there. I am still having my daily radiation treatments, now. My last one is on July 28th. I am to start my chemo on that date, too. So, my plate is still full for me. I saw that same Dr. yesterday after my treatment. It seems I now have 'thrush,' due to teh very high steroids I am on, because of the slight swelling on my brain. I have prescriptions for 'Magic Mouth Wash.' and pills to take with it.

That evening when the Dr. talked and answered my daughter's and my questions. I said to him, "You know, doc., for all this to happen so soon with me, from a Dec. 2007 DX of my cancer. It has only been 7 months for me. (from the times I was given to live)
He looked at me and said, "Rose. You have already beaten the statistics, with people that have ESCLC, such as yourself. The given time is usually only 6 months, with this very fast growing cancer." Gee, I thought. That means I am really living on borrowed time. This was a bit scary for me to take. But, I am ok, now.

I try and keep my spirits and faith in check. I still drive but must use a walker when out. Or, one of those slow golf type carts in the stores I must use to get around in.

You see, MrsC., Your poor dear mother I could have been. I felt an instant connection to her and you, dear. I mean, as I read your sad post. What a rotten shame that your mother was only given up to 2 weeks, to 2 months to live. Thank God ya'all were able to spend this time together. You also have learned what we cancer patients deem the real beauty in life. That is 'family love.' Nothing else matters in life. Nothing at all.

I'm sorry if my post is too long, friend. You touched my soul. I want you to know that i am here for you. That is, if and when you feel a need to talk with someone. Now, you'll be in the grieving and healing part. of it all. All this will be on your time, of course. You'll find your own way of dealing with it, dear. I pray that God wraps his arms around you. Blesses you. And, gives you the strength you'll need to get through it all. Gentle hugs to you, hon.

Love You,

Rosie

By pattyp1
Posted July 22, 2008 at 12:10 pm

hey, MrsC,
I am so sorry for your loss. Please accept my best wishes and condolences. Please stay here with us - others can learn so much from your experiences.
hugs
Pat

By MrsC
Posted July 24, 2008 at 11:03 pm

Hello Rosie,

Oh my gosh, your letter sounded so similar to what I have seen, felt and been thru. I wish with all my heart I could help you. I am so glad to hear you are still getting out. I think our drives on the Week-ends was one thing my Mother really enjoyed. Right up to the last Sunday before she went to Hospice.

I will tell you the radiation took alot out of her and she too had thrush and the magic Mouth.

Grab every bit of happiness and do just what you want to do every minute of the day. My Mother taught all of our children how to play Bingo and once a year we would all go to White Lake in NC and the kids and Mom would all play Bingo. So one of her 1st good week-ends after getting out of the hospital in Jan. Everyone came in and we played Bingo. It was a blast. She enjoyed it and we enjoyed her.

I think you are an amazing woman and admire your strength. Mom kept a very positive attitude. I do believe that has more to do with the quality of life. Anyway your posting gives me comfort. Thank you so much...

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