What To Expect?

Hello, I'm new here and I help care for my 81 y/o MIL who was just dx with follicular lymphoma. I have some experience with NHL as my husband had stage IV twice about 8 years ago. He is in remission. My MIL, however has ESRD and has hemodialysis 3X/wk for the rest of her life. The dr did a biospy and it came back inconclusive so now wants to take a node out to stage it. I know what my husband went thru when he went thru chemo and it wasn't easy and he was a young man, but I don't know what to expect if she has to go thru any kind of cancer treatment. The dialysis itself almost wipes her out. She also has diabetes, parkinson's, macular degeneration, and some heart problems. She also lives alone. We do however live across the street from her, so she does have someone who is just a phonecall away. She has a HHC nurse that comes in once a week, an aide that helps her with bathing, etc and a maid that cleans every other week. I have searched and to no avail can I find out about going thru both treatments (dialysis and cancer treatment) at the same time. I do work 40+ hrs a week while my husband is disable. He is able to take MIL to some of her many appts. My husband shares the care of his mother with one one of his bros. Neither of them will ask the dr questions as to what to expect. I go to only a few of her appts, but always ask alot of questions. When my husband was first dx'd with NHL, we were devastated. I really don't want to get to that point with her. She's a sweetheart and never complains. I just don't know what to expect.

donna

Hi Donna,

I couldn't believe when I saw your message. Yes, it is so hard to find info on ESRD and cancer. My dad has ESRD and was diagnosed with Stage IV lung cancer in November. He completed two weeks of Whole Brain RAdiation and actually now has pneumonia, but hopefully we can start him on some form of chemo shortly. I am discussing this with the docs tomorrow.

He is being treated at a large cancer center in Philadelphia. Locally when the docs would see or here ESRD and cancer, I think they thought I should try nothing and just put him immediately into hospice. Where I live, you cannot be on Hospice and still get dialysis. So, he is not on hospice. He is limited to what chemo he can get because of the kidney disease, but there are some options for him. I have found in this larger center that dialysis is just a small obstacle for him and the neprologists are just his consult there. They do continue with his dialysis, all my doctors respect that and it is just a way of life. My dad hates dialysis, too; however, he is fully aware of the alternative and we just take it one day at a time.

Good luck, Donna

Linda

Thank you Linda for repling. I guess we'll find out next week what stage she has. She seems to be going downhill with all of these comorbid conditions she has. Sleeping alot and moving very slowly.

donna