strange question

So last Tuesday mom had her Gamma Knife procedure on her brain met. With the MRI they did there they were able to find 2 other brian mets that had just gotten started that the normal MRI could not get. Basically there were 3. one was 5 cubic cm and the other 2 were .00_ Cm. The other 2 were not even a quarter of a cm. I've recieved a few emails asking how mom is doing so i thought I'd post something. Honestly, theres really no change. She still 75 lbs and barely eating. She is at least drinking a protein shake now. She said she hated ensure so that wasnt gonna work and the whey protein powder was good but she wasn't drinking enough of it to help so i mixed ensure with the protein powder to double the protein and calories. I've only got her drinking about 20 oz a day but at least we have something going in. Now heres my question. Has anyone on here smoked weed, to help with pain, or nausea or eating. dont incriminate yourself but I know in some states it legal for medical purposes but not in WV. We've had about 6 different nurses from every hospital we've been to tell mom that they know many patients that do it and it helps and they of course cant recommend it cause its illegal but can say they would if they were in the same situation. Other than all that we will see how today goes. She agreed to come outside with the family for a cookout and fireworks. I made her fav Lemon Meringue pie so hopefully she'll get to some eating. She really has her days. Last week she was eating hamburgers now nothing agian. grrrr!!! Hope all is well with everyone

By simplyklb
Posted July 12, 2008 at 2:23 pm
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Hi,
We were just having that discussion here!

I wonder if marinol (sp?) would work for your mom and her appetite. Is she taking an appetite stimulant? What pain meds is your mom taking?

Kristi

By BlondeScarlett1
Posted July 12, 2008 at 2:39 pm
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Hey Kally,

I commend you, lady. You seem like a wonderful, caring daughter to your mother. And, for trying your best to get your dear mother to at least drink something, everyday and night. That alone is hard to do. She must not get dehydrated. Bless her heart. I am sure she'd love to be able to have an appetite of any kind. Alas, that won't happen as you would wish it to be. So, I think you're doing pretty good as you are with her.

May I suggest those fruity, summertime drinks? My daughter just had one from TACO BELL, and it taste wonderfully refreshing. I'm not sure about the protein in it. I bet it has tons of calories in it, though. Ya think? Also, post a post for good protein drinks, for cancer patients on here. I have seen them before, floating around in here. Good luck to you on that.

As far as medical weed goes. First off. Is it legal in your state. For cancer patients, I mean. If, so. Why not go to either your mother's Oncologist, or her family doctor, and request it for Mom. I believe they give out the pill form of it. Because of peoples lung problems, no doubt. I heard that the pills aren't as great as the weed itself. But, I heard on these boards before, that it does help with ones appetite. I'd go for it, if she were my mother. This is my suggestion to you, on this topic, dear. Good luck to you and mamma. Hugs to ya'all, too. Let em know how it goes, please. Take care. Hugs to both of ya'all.

Love Ya,

Rosie

By Khari
Posted July 12, 2008 at 6:56 pm
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Kally,

Its not a strange question and something I considered for my husband even before he started chemo. Thank goodness he didn't have a bad problem with nausea and was able to eat fairly well. But if there had been issues with that (and certainly to the extent that you are experiencing with your mother) I wouldn't hesitate to explore the idea further.

Good luck you're in my thoughts and prayers.

Khari

By kallygirlie
Posted July 13, 2008 at 12:25 am
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She has marinol but wont take it. she took it for about 2 days while she was throwing up 4-5 times a day and said it didn't work. Now she's down to throwing up maybe a few times a week at most but she still refuses to take it. She actually did try to smoke a joint this morning and said it helped with pain but her being the worrier, she's scared to do it cause it's illegal. i was surprised with tonight. She came outside with us, was pretty uncomfortable cause of pain. Ate a small amount of lasagnas, a deviled egg and at least tried the pie. Washed it down with the shake.

By meadowbreeze
Posted July 13, 2008 at 6:22 am
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Dear Kally,
I am scheduled for more chemo this month and the side effects are the nausea and I have pain. I am considering taking the marijuana for the nausea and pain. I have already talked to my daughter that is a nurse and asked her if she would make it in the brownies since I can't smoke it and she said she would do that for me. I have never considered that before since it is illegal in my state but if it helps with the side effects then why not. I don't want to be miserable all the time. I am so anxious about taking the next chemo. So if I know there is something that is going to help me feel better than I won't be so anxious about it. The real kicker here is I just retired from the police department and my s/o is a detective on the same department. Still working there. I did tell him what I was planning on doing and not much of a response. So I guess it's not that bad.

By pattyp1
Posted July 13, 2008 at 1:09 pm
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hey, Krystal,
I hope your mom continues eating a bit more every day.

The word you need to get close to is cachexia - it is used to describe a feeling of early fullness. Unfortunately, among LC patients, it is pretty common. On the other hand, there has been a lot of research, because it is also common among AIDS/HIV patients. There are three common treatments - marijuana and marijuana derivatives, Megace, and another drug whose name I forget. From what I understand, Megace may be the big gun in the arsenal. Has your mama tried that? I understand that after a very few doses, you're ready to eat anything that isn't moving faster than you are.

Your mom should be proud of you for going to battle for her! I'm proud of you too.
Hugs
Pat

By Georgi
Posted July 13, 2008 at 5:12 pm
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Hi,
I'm 71 years old and have both lung and ovarian cancer. During the first series of Chemo treatments, I lost 26 pounds...down to 100 pounds. One of my sons who works in the medical field suggested marijuana and I finally agreed. One of my funniest memories is of my 40 year old son trying to teach his 70 year old Mom how to smoke marijuana. I really couldn't get the hang of it since I've never smoked anything and my Onc did prescribe the Marinol pills. However I eventually found that i tab of Anzemet in the AM controlled the nausea all day for me.

I kept thinking about anything that sounded good to eat and ended up existing on Sushi (the kind with cooked fish) and sometimes mashed potatoes and Costco's granola mix. It was harder to get fluids down since everything had a terrible taste...even my beloved chocolate frappachinos. For me, weak tea worked better. By the way, ignore "legal"...I was going to use another word but I don't know you well enough!

Hang in there,
Georgi

By erinroro
Posted July 13, 2008 at 6:08 pm
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Kallygirl,
What a wonderful daughter you are! I would tell your mom not to worry about the legality... somehow I don't think the police are going to break down her door and drag a 75 lb cancer patient to the pokey! If it helps, do it! Now if she decides to stand on street corners and sell it to children....... just joking of course!!
If you can get that Megace that Pat spoke of, and it works, that would be great. But until then, and if it helps her even a little bit - do the marijuana. And if the smoking part bothers her, maybe you can find a shop around that might have a water pipe - less irritating as I understand it.....

Erin

By sb
Posted July 13, 2008 at 9:56 pm
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I'm all for anything that helps nausea - it is such a horrible feeling. The other thing she might like - tranquilizers sometimes help because they relax you and make it so you don't really care as much about feeling crappy! I would try Valium if she can get some. It can be addicting but used short-term I think it would be great. I have always thought that if I get to a point where I know things are not looking good, I am going to take Valium every day...

Sharon

By tjak
Posted July 14, 2008 at 9:08 pm
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I would definitely suggest it! My mom has stage !V NSC and she was having a lot of problems after whole brain radiation following brain mets that were removed surgically. She was feeling nauseous for several weeks after and nothing from the doctor was working. My mom decided to use the weed and it was amazing! The minute she did it she said her nauseua was cut in half. She doesn't use it often, but when she really needs it, it works very well! I say do what you need to do for your mom!

By BlondeScarlett1
Posted July 15, 2008 at 9:54 am
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Hey There,

I would sure use it. So far, my appetite may be not as it use to be. However, if I stopped eating, or became so sick all the time, (and my nausea pills didn't work on me any longer) I'd sure as heck would use some weed. I have always said, "If the window washer could help me, I'd tell him to come on in." Great words to live by. Ya'all think so? I do.

Hon. You do whatever it takes for the comfort and better health of your mother. I would desire, and expect no less from my two adult children towards me, as well. Be brave, dear. Do what you feel you have to do. You know your mother always did that for you, when you were being raised by her.

You take care of yourself. Big hugs to you.

Love ya,

Rosie

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