Mother In Law with complications from treatment

My mother in law was diagnosed on May 12th. She began treatment two weeks ago today. The reason for the delay was because she needed a blood transfusion because of the hemorhagging she experienced right before diagnosis. Since the blood transfusion in May, she developed a severe rash all over her body. They could not determine was was causing it and put her on prednisone which seemed to help...and also made her feel stronger. She began treatment two weeks ago (five days a week of radiation and one day of chemo). Last Friday, for whatever reason, her rash starting flaring up again and bleeding again...so they put her back on prednisone because she needs to go forward with treatment. She does not eat much because she is very nauseated and food makes her gag. She tries to force herself...but she is losing weight from not eating. She has also been experiencing shortness of breath when climbing stairs. Maybe this is from being weak and fatigued??? Today they could not give her the chemo because the blood tests they took last week show possible kidney damage from the chemo. She needs to go for a kidney sonogram tomorrow. I am very worried about her. She only has Stage 2B cervical cancer...and is only 65....but she looks thin...and I don't like how she is feeling. I think the rash is from the blood she received...but who knows. If anyone can offer any advice or has experienced the same thing....please share. My husband is so afraid she won't make it...I keep telling him that all will be ok. All I do is pray.

Thanks for listening.

Christine

By sapphkat
Posted August 4, 2009 at 10:14 pm
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I don't have any advice for you. But it sounds like you and your husband are being very supportive and that is helping your MIL immensely. I'm sure some of the other ladies will have some advice for you.

By SurvivorJan
Posted August 4, 2009 at 11:38 pm
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Christine - I'm sorry to hear that your MIL is having such a time with her treatment. If she is not already taking something for nausea/vomiting, ask her doc to prescribe something. I take zofran and/or phenagran (i know that isn't correct spelling) and they both have helped me. The breathlessness/tired going up stairs sounds like an anemia side effect from the chemo. I've ready articles about protein mixes/drinks that help with nausea as well.
I don't have any experience with blood transfusions (thank goodness) so can't speak to that.
FYI, I have gone through surgery/chemo/radiation and will be starting another round of chemo next week.
I know some chemos affect the kidneys so they say to try to drink as much water as you can. I know that is not easy when you are sick.
Do not hesitate to call her dr/nurse with these questions and concerns. That is what they are there for.
It sounds like she is very fortunate to have such a loving, supportive daugher-in-law and son.
God bless - Janet

By PJ2
Posted August 5, 2009 at 3:01 pm
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Sounds like she needs Zofran and quick. However, ask for the generic, as it is cheaper and tastes better than the name brand - it just melts under your tongue. That should at least allow her to get some nourishment in her.

She may want to also see a nutro-path to try and help her increase her her blood tidders and enegry, assuming she can find something that will not counteract her treatment.

I hope she starts feeling better soon.

P

By ChristineNYC
Posted August 9, 2009 at 1:26 am
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I have a very unfortunate update. My mother in law was on her way to radiation on Wednesday (thank GOD she was at the facility)....when she began to feel very ill....and had to be brought the the very nearby emergency room. She then suffered cardiac arrest and flatlined for ten minutes. They were able to bring her back...but had her on a respirator for one day. The next day they removed the respirator. She suffered a bad heart attack and there has been damage to her heart due to a blockage. She also needed three units of blood due to anemia. Her kidneys are somewhat damaged. They are improving. She was in a chair today and sitting up. On Monday they will do a viability study for her heart to determine the extent of the damage....and decide whether or not to put a stent in to open up the blockage. It's baby steps every day. I am exhausted and emotionally drained. My husband, father in law and myself are at the hospital every day since Wednesday. She is doing better thank God. She was fortunate enough to be there when she suffered the heart attack. If she were home...I don't think she would be with us. It is just awful.

Obviously her treatment is now on hold until this situation gets better. It's just so rough. It's been one tough road. I am worried...but think she will be ok. Thanks for all of your replies....please pray for her.

Anything else you can offer would be great. Thank you again.

Christine

By marsha123
Posted August 9, 2009 at 12:38 pm
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My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. It sounds as though your mother-in law's medical team is doing what they should to address her problems, and keep her safe. From your post, it sounds as though she is very weak and frail. Since that is an obstacle to recovery, please encourage her to take in nourishment, even if it's the last thing she feels like doing right now.

Try to keep her optimistic and hopeful, as emotions also play a large role in recovery. You sound like a loving family, and my best wishes for a positive outcome go out to you ! M

By ladybits
Posted August 9, 2009 at 3:42 pm
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She is so lucky to have such a caring family to support her. All I know is that the weight loss is the brains way of starving cancer. That's why so many cancer patients look the way they do. Some doctors believe it's at this stage of malnutrition that chemo and other man made pharmaceuticals work best to aid the body in its fight. I would be concerned about that initial blood transfusion.
My thoughts and prayers are for you during this time of trouble.

By ladybits
Posted August 9, 2009 at 4:19 pm
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Christine,
Just found this about the cancer weight loss (it's called Cachexia)

There is much research and recent press on the benefits of fish oils, especially ones that contains long-chain omega-3 fatty acids. A number of studies showed that fish oil supplements can stabilize weight loss and even increase weight in people suffering from cancer cachexia due to pancreatic cancer. One study in particular was able to show that omega-3 fatty acids can reduce inflammation and protein breakdown.

By jan64
Posted October 18, 2009 at 12:06 pm
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Hi Christine,

I know I'm coming to this conversation late, but I hope your ML is recovering from her heart attack and treatments. My mother was diagnosed with Stage IVb CC in May and decided to have treatment which started in July. During that time the tumor had grown and blocked her kidneys she was nauseous all the time and was experiencing shortness of breath going up stairs and on long walks. They put stints in to drain the kidneys and started with chemo, her situation improved greatly. That lasted about 2 months, then they started radiation and she's back to being nauseous and the shortness of breath is worse. At this time any treatment she receives is palliative, but it could extend her life by a couple of years if we're lucky. So many of the symptoms you described are similar to my mom's. I know how difficult this is for you and your husband to go through, I wish you all the best.

By ChristineNYC
Posted October 18, 2009 at 9:53 pm
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Hi Jan...thank you for your friendship request as well as your post. My mother in law is much better. The tumor responded well to her radiation treatments. They do not believe she needs chemo any longer (thank God). The next step is something called brachytherapy where they go in and inject radioactive "seeds" directly into her tumor. She is tired...but much better. The heart is better as well as the other things she was feeling. Her gynocological oncologist says that "remission is on the horizon" which was GREAT to hear. I am just hoping that the five treatments of brachy therapy are all that she will need. My husband and I would like to try and start a family next month....so we want things with our mother in law to go smoothly. This type of treatment is normally performed in the office of the doctor....but under the circumstances....they will be performing this in the operating room twice a week for 2 1/2 weeks. Hopefully all will go smoothly.

I hope that your mother will be ok. I will pray for her. It's not easy, that is for sure. You should have her heart checked....I don't want what happened to my mother in law, to happen to your mom. Is she having chemo?

Please take good care...keep in touch. Wishing you only the best.

Christine

By hopeandprayers
Posted October 18, 2009 at 11:20 pm
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Christine, It is best if your mom-in-law can continue with treatment with no interuptions. Have you tried any boost or liquid vitamin supplements. They supply much needed nutrients that she needs. Also ask the chemo. dr. about an iron supplement. Have her drink as much water as she can during her chemo treatments. The cisplatin is known to cause kidney damage, so drinking the water will help flush the chemo. out of the kidney quicker.
Anemia can cause extreme fatique, and shortness of breath. Try to get some protein into her. It helps repair tissue damage and build up the RBC count.
I hope she can finish all treatments. Get tips from the oncon. nurses and dr.
Have her rest as much as possible, and best wishes!

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