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.
Sunday, May 30, 2010
Just back from a trip to Mom and Dad's house. Mom was in bed resting and reported to me that she wasn't feeling very well. She couldn't go into much more detail than that, however.
She's spent a good bit of time in bed this past week and does appear to not be bouncing back as we had hoped she would by taking this week off from chemotherapy treatment. It's unclear right now whether or not she will get her treatment as scheduled on Tuesday afternoon.
Dr. Aurora did say that delaying two weeks would not make any difference in the effectiveness and it seemed to me that his contention was that if Mom didn't appear to bounce back this week, that we should delay one more to give her a chance to regain some strength.
When she does get up, she is pretty weak and has trouble getting from one part of the house to another. I say "trouble", but I guess I mean it is a struggle and it tires her out.
It's now been six months + ten days since her initial hospitalization and diagnosis.
For everyone who has been thinking of Mom, thank you. For those who have been helping out, in whatever way, be it food, cards, poems, thoughts, yard mowing, or simply saying hello, it is appreciated.
She's spent a good bit of time in bed this past week and does appear to not be bouncing back as we had hoped she would by taking this week off from chemotherapy treatment. It's unclear right now whether or not she will get her treatment as scheduled on Tuesday afternoon.
Dr. Aurora did say that delaying two weeks would not make any difference in the effectiveness and it seemed to me that his contention was that if Mom didn't appear to bounce back this week, that we should delay one more to give her a chance to regain some strength.
When she does get up, she is pretty weak and has trouble getting from one part of the house to another. I say "trouble", but I guess I mean it is a struggle and it tires her out.
It's now been six months + ten days since her initial hospitalization and diagnosis.
For everyone who has been thinking of Mom, thank you. For those who have been helping out, in whatever way, be it food, cards, poems, thoughts, yard mowing, or simply saying hello, it is appreciated.
Monday, May 24, 2010
No chemotherapy treatment today.
After examining Mom, Dr. Aurora felt that she wasn't as strong as she should be to receive a treatment, and he recommended that we take a week off. We have a treatment scheduled for Tuesday, June 1. Dr. Aurora said that if necessary, we could even take two weeks off. It wouldn't make any difference in the effectiveness of the treatment, due to the overall amount that she has received to date.
We then discussed quantity v. quality of life again, and all agreed that we are going to have to make some decisions in the near future. Mom understands this and we talked, and she agreed that getting chemotherapy only to allow her to spend all her time wiped out and in bed isn't what she wants. We are probably nearing the point where the treatment could be as bad as the disease.
To be clear: We are not there yet, and we are not discontinuing treatment, but we are thinking about what the future holds.
Dr. Aurora is also concerned about spinal cord involvement, and has ordered an MRI to look at that.
Mom was comfortable with the decisions that were made today and seemed to be in a relaxed mood once we arrived back at their house.
Thanks to everyone for their thoughts, notes, and support. We certainly appreciate it.
After examining Mom, Dr. Aurora felt that she wasn't as strong as she should be to receive a treatment, and he recommended that we take a week off. We have a treatment scheduled for Tuesday, June 1. Dr. Aurora said that if necessary, we could even take two weeks off. It wouldn't make any difference in the effectiveness of the treatment, due to the overall amount that she has received to date.
We then discussed quantity v. quality of life again, and all agreed that we are going to have to make some decisions in the near future. Mom understands this and we talked, and she agreed that getting chemotherapy only to allow her to spend all her time wiped out and in bed isn't what she wants. We are probably nearing the point where the treatment could be as bad as the disease.
To be clear: We are not there yet, and we are not discontinuing treatment, but we are thinking about what the future holds.
Dr. Aurora is also concerned about spinal cord involvement, and has ordered an MRI to look at that.
Mom was comfortable with the decisions that were made today and seemed to be in a relaxed mood once we arrived back at their house.
Thanks to everyone for their thoughts, notes, and support. We certainly appreciate it.
Sunday, May 23, 2010
It's been quite a while since I've updated everyone on Mom. Sorry for that, but I've been out of town for the last two weeks and haven't had much to add.
Today, I visited for a short time and Mom seemed to be doing about the same. She is noticeably weaker than prior "off weeks" from chemotherapy. It could be that the chemotherapy's cumulative effect is beginning to take a toll. She's not out of bed much any more, but does get up occasionally.
Tomorrow, we are scheduled to see the doctor and get another treatment. It will be interesting to see if Dr. Aurora feels that Mom can tolerate it. It would not surprise me to see him put it off for a week to see if her strength improves. Hard to say.
If I could ask those that are reading a favor: If any of you have had any experience with home health care agencies (self-pay or supplemental insurance pay) could you please drop me a note and let me know the name of the company? I have two brochures from companies that I am going to research, but if anyone has any first-hand experience, it would really help.
More updates after the doctor tomorrow.
Today, I visited for a short time and Mom seemed to be doing about the same. She is noticeably weaker than prior "off weeks" from chemotherapy. It could be that the chemotherapy's cumulative effect is beginning to take a toll. She's not out of bed much any more, but does get up occasionally.
Tomorrow, we are scheduled to see the doctor and get another treatment. It will be interesting to see if Dr. Aurora feels that Mom can tolerate it. It would not surprise me to see him put it off for a week to see if her strength improves. Hard to say.
If I could ask those that are reading a favor: If any of you have had any experience with home health care agencies (self-pay or supplemental insurance pay) could you please drop me a note and let me know the name of the company? I have two brochures from companies that I am going to research, but if anyone has any first-hand experience, it would really help.
More updates after the doctor tomorrow.
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
Post-chemotherapy Update
Mom's chemotherapy treatment went well yesterday.
We saw the doctor as well, and he was very happy with Mom's condition. Her blood counts are all good, and more importantly to him, her weight is being maintained. He indicated that weight was the single most prognosticative factor for a cancer doctor. And he was very happy that hers was where it was. And no, I won't mention what it was. I don't think Mom would like that.
The plan now is to do two additional treatments with the Taxotere, which Mom seems to be tolerating better than the previous drug combination. Dr. Aurora wants to do the two more treatments and then do the scans to see where we are.
Mom appeared to be pleased with the news and happy with the results of the doctor's appointment. Her cognitive abilities are about the same as before, but the "loopy-ness" that she experiences as a result of the dexamethasone (steroid) that she takes before, during, and after chemo seems to be a little reduced this time around. Hopefully the dosage adjustment that the doctor made has helped with this.
She's giving the fight all she can and is holding her own.
We saw the doctor as well, and he was very happy with Mom's condition. Her blood counts are all good, and more importantly to him, her weight is being maintained. He indicated that weight was the single most prognosticative factor for a cancer doctor. And he was very happy that hers was where it was. And no, I won't mention what it was. I don't think Mom would like that.
The plan now is to do two additional treatments with the Taxotere, which Mom seems to be tolerating better than the previous drug combination. Dr. Aurora wants to do the two more treatments and then do the scans to see where we are.
Mom appeared to be pleased with the news and happy with the results of the doctor's appointment. Her cognitive abilities are about the same as before, but the "loopy-ness" that she experiences as a result of the dexamethasone (steroid) that she takes before, during, and after chemo seems to be a little reduced this time around. Hopefully the dosage adjustment that the doctor made has helped with this.
She's giving the fight all she can and is holding her own.
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