We took Mom to see Dr. Aurora today and get the results of the MRI and to discuss future treatment options.
Dr. Aurora told us that the MRI showed that the cancer had worsened. There were more spots on the brain, and there was increased cancer on the spine.
Based on this, and the fact that she's had two complete rounds of chemotherapy with two different compounds, plus radiation, she decided that it was time to stop.
So, we are discontinuing treatment. While this news was not unexpected, it was still difficult to hear. But the impact that chemotherapy was having on Mom was not worth the results that she was getting. It just came down to that.
Dr. Aurora said he did not know how much time was left, but that he wanted whatever time that was to be as comfortable as possible.
We will be meeting with a hospice organization this week and more than likely begin that aspect of this journey.
I wish the news was better. But sometimes, it just isn't.
Again, thanks to everyone for their thoughts and good wishes. They are appreciated, as is everything that everyone has done to help Mom and Dad.
Monday, June 28, 2010
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
Last Friday, Mom went for an MRI. Let me tell you, I was very proud of how well she did with it. The doctor has asked for four scans to be conducted, in sequence. With each scan lasting about 45 minutes, she on the MRI table for about 2 1/2 hours. That is hard enough for healthy people to do.
She did great, though, and stuck it out so that all the scans could be completed. We are waiting on the results, though Dr. Aurora said if anything serious was seen, he would contact us quickly. So far, no contact, so I am hopeful that the scans showed what was expected.
We now have a home-health organization providing care for Mom twice a week (for now). Thanks to everyone who sent suggestions on companies. I hope that Dad will eventually become comfortable enough with having them around that he will get some rest, but if not, he'll just have to deal with it. I'm most concerned about making sure Mom has some help.
Next on the agenda is to get a ramp built at the front of their house. Does anyone know of any companies that specialize in ADA-compliant ramps for elderly people? If so, drop me a note.
Mom is doing about the same as she has been for the past month or so. She is still spending lots of time in bed sleeping. One thing that is different is that there really is no established routine anymore. Some days, she will be up by 10 AM, other days she won't get up until 2:30 PM or 3:00. It's driving my dad crazy. Well, crazier.
Our next appointment with Dr. Aurora is June 28th. We will talk again about whether or not we should resume chemotherapy treatments.
She did great, though, and stuck it out so that all the scans could be completed. We are waiting on the results, though Dr. Aurora said if anything serious was seen, he would contact us quickly. So far, no contact, so I am hopeful that the scans showed what was expected.
We now have a home-health organization providing care for Mom twice a week (for now). Thanks to everyone who sent suggestions on companies. I hope that Dad will eventually become comfortable enough with having them around that he will get some rest, but if not, he'll just have to deal with it. I'm most concerned about making sure Mom has some help.
Next on the agenda is to get a ramp built at the front of their house. Does anyone know of any companies that specialize in ADA-compliant ramps for elderly people? If so, drop me a note.
Mom is doing about the same as she has been for the past month or so. She is still spending lots of time in bed sleeping. One thing that is different is that there really is no established routine anymore. Some days, she will be up by 10 AM, other days she won't get up until 2:30 PM or 3:00. It's driving my dad crazy. Well, crazier.
Our next appointment with Dr. Aurora is June 28th. We will talk again about whether or not we should resume chemotherapy treatments.
Monday, June 7, 2010
Update
Dad and I took Mom to the doctor today for a regularly scheduled appointment. She had lab work done and we met with Dr. Aurora.
Getting her to the doctor was not as bad as my Dad had feared. In fact, it went about like it has gone for the past several months, so that's a load off my mind. I was expecting, based on some of Dad's input, for it to be a pretty difficult experience. Luckily, that wasn't the case.
Her lab work went well and her results were good. Her weight was stable as well. Both good signs.
We then saw Dr. Aurora, and after his examination and assessment, we discussed taking a somewhat extended break from chemotherapy treatment. The premise is simple: There is a concern that Mom will be further weakened by more chemotherapy and be unable to bounce back, therefore leaving her in worse condition than we started. Dr. Aurora advised that since she has had such a large amount of chemotherapy over the past six months, she wouldn't be hurting anything by taking a break. She will use this time to hopefully regain some strength and stamina.
We will see Dr. Aurora again on the 28th of June to reassess. If her strength has returned to a good level, she may start chemotherapy again. If not, then we will discuss a more long-term strategy regarding her treatment options. Although the options are simple: Either have chemotherapy or do not. We will just have to see how the next several weeks transpire.
Mom is feeling okay, but she is very weak and tires easily. She spends many hours a day in bed asleep. Her cognitive abilities are about the same, and it is hard for anyone to really get a good answer from her about something. If you ask her a question, you are very likely to get a completely different answer five minutes later. In addition, she continues to have very little short-term memory. Her mother, sister, and brother-in-law were here Saturday and Sunday, and she doesn't remember that they came. Such is the way things are.
For everyone who has continued to help, we certainly appreciate it. Everyone has gone above and beyond what most people would have and it has made a huge difference. Thank you.
Getting her to the doctor was not as bad as my Dad had feared. In fact, it went about like it has gone for the past several months, so that's a load off my mind. I was expecting, based on some of Dad's input, for it to be a pretty difficult experience. Luckily, that wasn't the case.
Her lab work went well and her results were good. Her weight was stable as well. Both good signs.
We then saw Dr. Aurora, and after his examination and assessment, we discussed taking a somewhat extended break from chemotherapy treatment. The premise is simple: There is a concern that Mom will be further weakened by more chemotherapy and be unable to bounce back, therefore leaving her in worse condition than we started. Dr. Aurora advised that since she has had such a large amount of chemotherapy over the past six months, she wouldn't be hurting anything by taking a break. She will use this time to hopefully regain some strength and stamina.
We will see Dr. Aurora again on the 28th of June to reassess. If her strength has returned to a good level, she may start chemotherapy again. If not, then we will discuss a more long-term strategy regarding her treatment options. Although the options are simple: Either have chemotherapy or do not. We will just have to see how the next several weeks transpire.
Mom is feeling okay, but she is very weak and tires easily. She spends many hours a day in bed asleep. Her cognitive abilities are about the same, and it is hard for anyone to really get a good answer from her about something. If you ask her a question, you are very likely to get a completely different answer five minutes later. In addition, she continues to have very little short-term memory. Her mother, sister, and brother-in-law were here Saturday and Sunday, and she doesn't remember that they came. Such is the way things are.
For everyone who has continued to help, we certainly appreciate it. Everyone has gone above and beyond what most people would have and it has made a huge difference. Thank you.
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