Prayer request for my mom.

Signed-In Members Don't See This Ad
el_d

el_d

Member
Joined
Apr 26, 2007
Messages
3,368
Location
Lockhart, Tx, USA.
My mother had a cough since late January and she hadnt gone to the doctor utill 2 weeks ago. Xrays were done and a dark spot was seen on her lung. Biopsy proved posative that it was lung cancer. Dr. says its a common type of cancer among non smoking women. Further investigation found that its actually 2 masses in her lungs 4x5 inches in size and that she also has growths on her lymph nodes and tracea. The cancer is a stage 3 (4 being the worst) and she will undergo Chemotherapy on Fridays starting next week after the doctors perform a PET scan. She has lived a clean life and doesnt smoke or drink.
She is 60 years young and still goes to work at 3:30 in the morning to beat the morning rush. Yes 3:30 in the morning she clocks in at 7:30.:eek:

Does anyone know if the first session of Chemo will totaly run her down? Her first Chemo session is the same day my oldest Daughter graduates from HS. She does not want to miss the graduation, is ther anything I can do to help make it a little easier for my mom?????

Thank You.
 
Signed-In Members Don't See This Ad
Sending prayers your way for your mom and family.

From what I hear, the first treatment doesnt totally run you down. She should be ok for the graduation.

I hope all works out well and if you need anything, please dont hesitate to ask.
 
1st session probably won't run her down, although the day may be a long one - check with her doctors.

I didn't start feeling the effects (tiredness) of chemo until after about the 4th treatment but it may also depend on the type of chemo she's going to have.

They should be able to reschedule her 1st treatment. They understand that special events are very important. Have her talk to them about it. They may even be able to do it a day early.

My advice for you as a family member, is to check out cancerconsultants.com, they have a section for family of cancer patients. It will help you understand - as much as you can - what she's going to be dealing with.

My husband had a very hard time trying not to 'burden' me with what he was feeling. Of course, the fact that he wasn't telling me was stressing me out.

I also suggest she (and you) keep a journal throughout the process. It let's you get it out and it's amazing to look back at what you were feeling at certain points.

Understand that she'll have good days and bad days and that she'll know which kind of day she's having.

Keep your eyes and ears open. Many side effects can be minimized through medication. There's no need for her to put up with them. She needs to understand that the chemo nurses need to know what's really happening so they can make adjustments to compensate.

Keep her spirits up, but understand that there are points when you have to 'feel sorry for yourself' a little.

Suprise her with special things - anything you know she enjoys - especially when you see she's a little down.

And just be there. Sometimes it's enought to know that someone is there, even if you don't feel like entertaining company.

I'm going to send you a PM with a couple other things.

Be strong but understand that you're human too.
 
Lupe,

Lifting your mother and your family in prayer. Nancy gave some wise and wonderful advice above.

Keep us posted on her condition and how we can pray.
 
Sorry to hear about your mom's cancer. I haven't been around anyone going through chemo. But I will keep her and your family in my prayers.
 
Lupe, my prayers for you and your Mother have been offered; I will continue. Keep us posted on her progress.

Chemo protocols and side effects vary with each individual. Nausea was the single most difficult issue I had to deal with during my 12 months of treatment. None of the nausea meds seemed to work for me. I went through treatment with others who had no problem whatsover.

Nancy's advice is excellent. Your Mom may react differently to her treatments than others receiving the same drugs. Her doctors can tell her the most common reactions and what to expect. Based on this information, she may want to delay her first treatment until after the graduation ceremony. A few days won't matter.

Be blessed.
 
Lupe,
Prayers applied.

Also, as traumatic as this is for your mom and everyone, please pay special attention to your daughter on a VERY SPECIAL day for her, and her family, including your mom. Far too many people either don't graduate or don't celebrate this accomplishment. A good education starts with family and includes successes like this.

Congratulate her for us!

Tom
 
Praying for your mom and your family. As was said, not all chemo is the same. Ask the Dr. Different Chemos for different cancers. Different doses for different size tumors. Many variables, so ask. If your mom's Dr. has a problem answering questions just be blunt. "We are the ones paying you and making our insurance available to you, so we need answers we can understand or we will find someone else." Now don't say this until s/he stone walls you (if s/he does). But sometimes you got to help Docs understand what you are going through because many of them only know how to treat the illness not the patient. HTH
Hans
 
My mother's (successful) treatment included Chemo and radiation. The "rundown" didn't start until after several treatments. That was also when the major "whys" started. After the first couple, she was able to do pretty much whatever she wanted, so thought it would be "easy"...when she started getting run down, the questions and doubts started.

When your Mom goes to the treatment center, ask the nurse/technicians to put her beside a "successful" patient, someone who has been through several treatments and has a positive attitude. Spending several hours beside someone who is in a "why bother" or "why me" stage can be just as debilitating as the treatment.

Laugh about the things you can't control...my Mom had a shaving party when her hair started to fall out. Looking forward to special events can also be important (graduations, marriages, anniversaries) so a calendar with those items penciled in may be a good idea as well.

My family will keep yours in our thoughts and prayers, trust your doctors (or as others have said, find ones you can trust) and keep a positive attitude.
 
My prayers to you and your Mother.
I also suggest that she talk to the medical people and see if the treatment can be fit around life events.
 
Lupe, there is some great advice already given. Although my lung malignancy was a simple one by comparison, I really believe in the idea of a positive attitude.

Tell your Mom she has a big group of sawdust makers pullin for her!!
 
Thank you for all of your support and prayers. Thank you for taking the time out in this busy hectic world we live in. I will continue to post updates on her condition. Again thanks to everyone. It is extremely appreciated. There are some great people and great advice on this forum. It is extremely helpful to me to know that I can go on this site and get a little distraction from all that is going on right now. Thank you.
 
Lupe, I can relate to your present situation completely. The exact thing happened to my 88 year old mother. She had smoked from the age of 12 with no problems. Then, out of the blue a cough developed and would not go away. Finally she agreed to go to the doctor.

Same diagnosis as your mother ... chemo was started and she made it to the third application and passed away in my arms early in the morning as we were getting ready to go to the clinic.

Stay close, stay very close and support her all that you humanly can. Get her whatever she asks for. Be strong and don't let her see you - or others - getting depressed as that is NOT what she needs right now.

In the mean time we will all have her and you in our prayers and thoughts.

Heads up always, and again, BE STRONG, be very strong. :worship:
 
As a nurse I agree with Nancy. There are so many medications to combat the side effects of chemotherapy. No one has to suffer through the various side effects like nausea, etc. Please don't hesitate to ask questions if you have them or concerns. If your mom's physician can't answer your question seek a second opinion. Support groups are very important for both the patient and the family. Cancer cause lots of fear and stirs up people's emotions. It is important to keep a journal and also share your memories, love and honesty with each other to make it through this difficult time. Just go one step at a time, one day at a time.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom