Please Help my sister Denys -is anyone on Rev/Vel/Dex

Hi Kath

It seems my sister has lost her battle with the Myeloma.  I am flying in to Tampa on Tuesday afternoon, with all of brothers and sisters (there are five of us, Denys makes 6) we will all stay until Friday afternoon.  From what my parents and brother in law are telling us is that Denys isnow almost in an altered state, that how quickly things have changed practically over night.  I don't know if she will come home or stay in the hospital room when the end comes.  My brother in law says that my sister at this time won't even know I am there?? Things are changing so fast with her, she was just speaking to me Monday and I overheard her on Wednesday from my phone speaking in the hospital room to my Mom.? Also Denys suffered a stroke of some kind.  One of her eyes is now droopy and when she did speak it was very hard to understand her.   She also sounded out of breath allot.

Yesterday Denys told her husband that she couldn't do it anymore.  What happened was that her Dr. came in and told my sister that their was nothing more he could do for her.  Hospice was called and my sister stopped all chemo.  I asked my brother in law what my sister said when the Dr. told her that, he said she said nothing at all. She wasn't getting any better at all with the Velcade/Doxil combo.  She developed lumps and bumps on her chest and bottom from the Myeloma, and has many soars in her mouth,  and bruises all over her chest and legs.  She couldn;t walk at all anymore due to extreme weakness.  My Dad says that she looks like a 70yr old woman now and very, very thin., my sister is 55.  My brother in law said that last night (Saturday) was the worst so far .  Denys is in extreme pain in her stomach and back.  She hardly eats and I think they are going to give her a feeding tube.  This is very hard for me , and it will be harder to see my sister in this state. My other brother and sisters haven't seen Denys in over a year.  I am the only one who saw her through her battle as one of her caregivers in LIttle Rock. My brother in law said that when he and Denys discussed things with the pain management person.  They told my sister that when the time comes he will make her very comfortable.  Meaning that she will be practically coma tose before she passes. Thanks for your miracle story I wish my sister had one.....................................I will miss her with all my heart, but I do understand she had no quality of life at all since Aug. 06 and she and her body are just tired  and she asked  to go...

Susan

Dearest Susan ~~  It sounds as though things are pretty intollerable for Denys now and I am glad for her sake that you are going to be with her -- as I've said in other messages, having the physical support of my loved ones made a huge difference in my spirit - expecially when I had reached my lowest point.  I'm sure that Denys will appreciate having all of her siblings with her - even if she is in a state where she can't verbally express herself.  What I can't understand is why the doctors are not helping her to manage her pain and only offering support at the end.  Why does she have to be uncomforable at all?  Sorry, but I'm feeling anger at the fact that anyone must suffer with Myeloma with all the various pain medications and treatments that are currently available -- surely they can find something to help without making her comatose?

This will be a difficult time for you and your family.  You will all be in my thoughts and prayers as you go to help Denys in whatever lies ahead.  She is blessed to have you all, but especially you who has helped her through so many of her difficult stages.  Take good care, no only of everyone else, but of yourself as well.  Thinking of you, Cath