What To Expect

Hello....My dear mother-in-law (age 74) was diagnosed with MM 16 months ago.  she has gone through chemo, blood transfusions and Velcade treatment.  She lives alone and has always been a healthy, active, social person (she cared for my father-in-law who died of lung cancer 4 yrs ago).  She wants to keep her independence does not want home care in her home unless she absolutely has to. (does have some nursing visits).  She is getting very scared....her bones are aching, she is getting constant nose bleeds and sleeps most of the day.  My question is...without losing her autonomy, how can we make sure that my mother-in-law gets the help that she needs - as well what are the signs of the final stages of this disease - we are not sure what to expect or how long she has to suffer or what we can do to alleviate her suffering?  Thank you very much for listening. 

 Rhonda: Sorry to here of your situation and that of your MIL. She will need progessive constant care as her health fails.  If the treatments are not working, you loose your bones, can't walk or lift your arms...I am speaking of end stage (Been there and recovered they have not written the book on my case yet!) I would have a live in companion if she can afford it then as she progresses down hill hospice in the home.  This all depends on your monetary situation.  It is physically very difficult to care for an end stage MM patient when they loose their functionablility.  My husband coped but I tell you some days I wondered.  I had to wear a diaper as I could not make the toilet in time. I used a walker but could hardly hold on .could not raise my arms.  You see the spine ususally gets very compromised.  If you are interested in alternative treatment let me know  by another post as that is what I used but it does not work for everyone. All the best Elaine

On 3/24/2007 Rhonda Lynn wrote:

Hello....My dear mother-in-law (age 74) was diagnosed with MM 16 months ago.  she has gone through chemo, blood transfusions and Velcade treatment.  She lives alone and has always been a healthy, active, social person (she cared for my father-in-law who died of lung cancer 4 yrs ago).  She wants to keep her independence does not want home care in her home unless she absolutely has to. (does have some nursing visits).  She is getting very scared....her bones are aching, she is getting constant nose bleeds and sleeps most of the day.  My question is...without losing her autonomy, how can we make sure that my mother-in-law gets the help that she needs - as well what are the signs of the final stages of this disease - we are not sure what to expect or how long she has to suffer or what we can do to alleviate her suffering?  Thank you very much for listening. 

On 3/25/2007 Commonsense2265 wrote:

 Rhonda: Sorry to here of your situation and that of your MIL. She will need progessive constant care as her health fails.  If the treatments are not working, you loose your bones, can't walk or lift your arms...I am speaking of end stage (Been there and recovered they have not written the book on my case yet!) I would have a live in companion if she can afford it then as she progresses down hill hospice in the home.  This all depends on your monetary situation.  It is physically very difficult to care for an end stage MM patient when they loose their functionablility.  My husband coped but I tell you some days I wondered.  I had to wear a diaper as I could not make the toilet in time. I used a walker but could hardly hold on .could not raise my arms.  You see the spine ususally gets very compromised.  If you are interested in alternative treatment let me know  by another post as that is what I used but it does not work for everyone. All the best Elaine

On 3/24/2007 Rhonda Lynn wrote:

Hello....My dear mother-in-law (age 74) was diagnosed with MM 16 months ago.  she has gone through chemo, blood transfusions and Velcade treatment.  She lives alone and has always been a healthy, active, social person (she cared for my father-in-law who died of lung cancer 4 yrs ago).  She wants to keep her independence does not want home care in her home unless she absolutely has to. (does have some nursing visits).  She is getting very scared....her bones are aching, she is getting constant nose bleeds and sleeps most of the day.  My question is...without losing her autonomy, how can we make sure that my mother-in-law gets the help that she needs - as well what are the signs of the final stages of this disease - we are not sure what to expect or how long she has to suffer or what we can do to alleviate her suffering?  Thank you very much for listening. 

 

You mentioned alternative treatments.  Please tell me what kind of treatments you are reffering to. My dad who is 55 was diagnosed 2 weeks ago with MM, we are awaiting confirmation from the doctors, but we believe it is stage 3.  He has severe spinal compression,  MM can be seen in his bones all through out his body.  I don't know how to help him as he lives near Seattle and I am about 7 hours from there.   So, whatever information and research I can provide him with would be helpful.

Thanks,

Bridjett

Will you please share with us what kind of alternative therapy you were using. My father is diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer and after two months of treatments conventional medicine seems to fail. Doctors are slowly giving up from my dad. I know that if something worked for you that does not necessarily mean that it will work for someone else but I would really appreciate if you would share with us what helped you beat this terrible disease.

All the best,
Vladimir
 

On 3/25/2007 Commonsense2265 wrote:

 Rhonda: Sorry to here of your situation and that of your MIL. She will need progessive constant care as her health fails.  If the treatments are not working, you loose your bones, can't walk or lift your arms...I am speaking of end stage (Been there and recovered they have not written the book on my case yet!) I would have a live in companion if she can afford it then as she progresses down hill hospice in the home.  This all depends on your monetary situation.  It is physically very difficult to care for an end stage MM patient when they loose their functionablility.  My husband coped but I tell you some days I wondered.  I had to wear a diaper as I could not make the toilet in time. I used a walker but could hardly hold on .could not raise my arms.  You see the spine ususally gets very compromised.  If you are interested in alternative treatment let me know  by another post as that is what I used but it does not work for everyone. All the best Elaine

On 4/9/2007 Bridjett wrote:

 

On 3/25/2007 Commonsense2265 wrote:

 Rhonda: Sorry to here of your situation and that of your MIL. She will need progessive constant care as her health fails.  If the treatments are not working, you loose your bones, can't walk or lift your arms...I am speaking of end stage (Been there and recovered they have not written the book on my case yet!) I would have a live in companion if she can afford it then as she progresses down hill hospice in the home.  This all depends on your monetary situation.  It is physically very difficult to care for an end stage MM patient when they loose their functionablility.  My husband coped but I tell you some days I wondered.  I had to wear a diaper as I could not make the toilet in time. I used a walker but could hardly hold on .could not raise my arms.  You see the spine ususally gets very compromised.  If you are interested in alternative treatment let me know  by another post as that is what I used but it does not work for everyone. All the best Elaine

On 3/24/2007 Rhonda Lynn wrote:

Hello....My dear mother-in-law (age 74) was diagnosed with MM 16 months ago.  she has gone through chemo, blood transfusions and Velcade treatment.  She lives alone and has always been a healthy, active, social person (she cared for my father-in-law who died of lung cancer 4 yrs ago).  She wants to keep her independence does not want home care in her home unless she absolutely has to. (does have some nursing visits).  She is getting very scared....her bones are aching, she is getting constant nose bleeds and sleeps most of the day.  My question is...without losing her autonomy, how can we make sure that my mother-in-law gets the help that she needs - as well what are the signs of the final stages of this disease - we are not sure what to expect or how long she has to suffer or what we can do to alleviate her suffering?  Thank you very much for listening. 

 

 

You mentioned alternative treatments.  Please tell me what kind of treatments you are reffering to. My dad who is 55 was diagnosed 2 weeks ago with MM, we are awaiting confirmation from the doctors, but we believe it is stage 3.  He has severe spinal compression,  MM can be seen in his bones all through out his body.  I don't know how to help him as he lives near Seattle and I am about 7 hours from there.   So, whatever information and research I can provide him with would be helpful.

Thanks,

Bridjett

 Bridjett,I could have written this letter.My husband's scenario is exactly the same as you stated of your father,however you are several months ahead of us into this disease.Could you bring me forward and tell me of the road you have traveled thus far?All info is appreciated.Thanks,               Dorothy