The end?

Hello

My mother is 59 years old mand has been battling stomach cancer for 3 years now. The cancer has spread to her lungs, colon, esophogus & colon. At this point the doctors have said that we should focus on keeping her comfortable and helping her find peace with this horrible situation. I know the end is near, adn I know that there isn't a way to find out when or how she will pass on, but I am looking for some advice rom someone who has been through the final stage. Mom has not taken anything by mouth for about 7 days now. If she is able to sip on water or an ice chip, it is almost always followed by vommiting a brown foamy liquid. Over the last 2 days she has lost all control of her bowels, adn only urinates 1x a day (a very little amount). She sleeps most of the day, but when she is awake, she is very oriented to her surroundings. Her vision has gotton blurry and her ancles and feet are very swollen. I know that she will be leaving us soon, but I would like to her from anyone who has gone through this to find out what other symptoms we may go through, and to find out about how much longer we have. Are there any symptoms that are common right before death? Sorry for the length of this message, I am just trying to prepare myself as much as possible. Thanks for your time.

BERRY2009:

What a couragous battle the two of you have been on over the past 3 years.  I am sorry to hear that the end is near and that she has lost after what must have been a trying 3 years for you both. 

I run a nursing home and my wife is also battling stomach cancer.  From what I have experienced with cancer patients near the end of life, most all of your mothers symptoms indicate the end is very near.  From my experience, you should focus on her comfort and the control of pain.  If you do not have hospice services, you should try to get them as they can provide many inventive ways to ensure comfort and to help the entire family through the process. 

Pain is what I would focus on and ensure she is kept warm and comfortable.

If at anytime you feel that sharing her treatment history with the rest of us would provide you an outlet for your feelings, please feel free to do so as they are many of us that continue to search for answers!

The blessings of my family are with you and your family. 

Steve (aka momwithkids)

 

On 2/28/2009 BERRY2009 wrote:

Hello

My mother is 59 years old mand has been battling stomach cancer for 3 years now. The cancer has spread to her lungs, colon, esophogus & colon. At this point the doctors have said that we should focus on keeping her comfortable and helping her find peace with this horrible situation. I know the end is near, adn I know that there isn't a way to find out when or how she will pass on, but I am looking for some advice rom someone who has been through the final stage. Mom has not taken anything by mouth for about 7 days now. If she is able to sip on water or an ice chip, it is almost always followed by vommiting a brown foamy liquid. Over the last 2 days she has lost all control of her bowels, adn only urinates 1x a day (a very little amount). She sleeps most of the day, but when she is awake, she is very oriented to her surroundings. Her vision has gotton blurry and her ancles and feet are very swollen. I know that she will be leaving us soon, but I would like to her from anyone who has gone through this to find out what other symptoms we may go through, and to find out about how much longer we have. Are there any symptoms that are common right before death? Sorry for the length of this message, I am just trying to prepare myself as much as possible. Thanks for your time

My Fiance Shawn (37 yrs old) was diagnosed with stage 4 Linistis Plastica around Sept 2008.  He underwent Chemo, and that help so much.  But in the time he was off of it it traveled to his colon, intestines, and all thru his outer lining of his stomach, and lymph nodes. Which was only about 35 days.  He was just discharged from the hospital 10 days ago after being admitted for almost 3 weeks from severe stomach pains, which turned into a perferated intestine.  Dr's said he would not make it out of the hospital.  He did, but I have to admit he has gotten worse since he has been out.  He is eating less, and now he is starting to vomit.  He is home now and on hospice.  His legs and feet are very swollen.  He weighs about 130lbs at 6"1' but with all his water weight he weighs 170lbs.  His Chemo dr wont do anything until his swelling goes down.  90% of the time he is uncoherent, and when he is awake he is always sick.  What does this mean?  The Doc gave him about 4 months, could it be sooner?  What do I need to do to get him through this?  I want him to be able to see our wedding date in June.  Please advise 

My sympathies are with you.  My husband also has stomach cancer, he was diagnosed last September a week after our daughter's wedding, but so far he seems to be responding well to chemotherapy, and we are all trying to stay positive.

My mother passed away with Uterine cancer 2 1/2 years ago and so I know what you are going through.  All I can tell you is that my mother was at home with my husband and I, my 4 children and the rest of the family.  She was just surrounded with love until the day she died.  As sad as it was it was I felt at peace as she left us in such a loving environment.  She went into a semi coma, as we were told she would, the day before she passed.  As the previous person has said, you really should try to get Hospice in to your home.  They were a godsend to us and helped us through the final days, and told us everything to expect.

My thoughts are with you, Sue

I am so sorry to hear your fiance isn't doing well.  I was hoping that he would beat this horrible cancer and wrote to him previously about how wonderful he was doing.  My mom passed away from this cancer linitis plastica one year and 8 months ago.  It doesn't seem like that he has much time.  Before my mom passed away, she was constantly throwing up and in pain with swollen legs, urinating less.  My mom actually passed away 6 weeks after she had the swollen legs but my mom was very alert though.  She did get dehydrated which caused her to be a little wacky during that time.   If he can still eat, have him try the budwig diet which is a combination of flaxseed oil and cottage cheese.  He would need to be on a certain diet.  Google more to find out about it.  I do hope he can beat this cancer.  I always wonder could my mom been saved had she done that.  Do everything you can to help him fight this cancer.  Please keep me posted.

 

Ivy

So you know Shawn?  His sceenname is Roadking :)  He is a big Harley guy.  When he gets better he wants to build his harley versus buying another one.  

I dont know what else we can do.  I have been on the phone with all his doctors all day, everyday.  He is being treated out at U.C.I. and we live in Menifee, Ca.  The doctors say he may only have weeks, I pray they are wrong but I dont know.  Since he has been home from hospital he seems to be worse.  His legs and feet are still so swollen, and he barely takes anything by mouth anymore.  He is even cutting back on taking his medicine.  That I dont know why.  He wont take his methodone or anti nausa like he should.  We have a social worker coming out tomorrow to talk to you.  I want this to all go away, but at the same time I want to know what signs to look for.  Everyone keeps telling me but I must be living in denial cause I keep asking.  I want this man to make it to our wedding date.  Please help me, I feel so alone!

I know you are dealing with stomach cancer and not brain cancer, however, when I lost a friend to soft tissue sarcoma and my father to stomach cancer only months apart, I found info on brainhospice.com very helpful.  In the end, it is pretty much the same for everyone. This site provides a lose timeline of end stage symptoms, both physical and emotional.  This is a tough journey.  You are in my thoughts and prayers.

There is a doctor from Egypt that does Complete Digestive Transplants. Look for him on Discovery Channel and google Doctors, stomach cancer, etc. Not sure of his name.

My husband has lived 9 years with out his stomach. He did refuse Chemo.

 

Not the end. Have Faith, take all of your Family to church and believe in our creator that he brings life, the devil is the one to cause the end.

Believe that you will recieve a healing for your loved one! You must Believe!

On 2/28/2009 BERRY2009 wrote:

Hello

My mother is 59 years old mand has been battling stomach cancer for 3 years now. The cancer has spread to her lungs, colon, esophogus & colon. At this point the doctors have said that we should focus on keeping her comfortable and helping her find peace with this horrible situation. I know the end is near, adn I know that there isn't a way to find out when or how she will pass on, but I am looking for some advice rom someone who has been through the final stage. Mom has not taken anything by mouth for about 7 days now. If she is able to sip on water or an ice chip, it is almost always followed by vommiting a brown foamy liquid. Over the last 2 days she has lost all control of her bowels, adn only urinates 1x a day (a very little amount). She sleeps most of the day, but when she is awake, she is very oriented to her surroundings. Her vision has gotton blurry and her ancles and feet are very swollen. I know that she will be leaving us soon, but I would like to her from anyone who has gone through this to find out what other symptoms we may go through, and to find out about how much longer we have. Are there any symptoms that are common right before death? Sorry for the length of this message, I am just trying to prepare myself as much as possible. Thanks for your time.

Hello, My name is Michael. My 45 yr old brother has been diagnosed with stage 3a Stomach cancer. My mom also passed of colon cancer back in August 2000. When your mom begins to lose being oriented of her surroundings. "Sleeps" through the day and night and loses basic verbal interaction. I found this to be a sign that my mom was slowly slipping away. While visiting I would put my face in front of hers and tell her, mommy, "Michael is here, give me a kiss. 4 days prior to her passing she not only perched her lips to kiss me but, she also said "I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for everything you have done for me!" She did all this without ever opening her eyes once. This had a very profound effect on me in a good way. The following day i did the same thing but, this time her response was much more weakened. IT was at this time that i would lean into ear and talk to her quietly. I'd ask if she could see her mom, my grandmother or her father. Her arms would both extend outward as if to be reaching for someone or something. I asked the nurse what this was. She explained that this was a "process of dying." I would like to think that she saw something more spiritual as was reaching to get to it. I also began to whisper into her ear that it was alright to let go. Nothing is holding you here any longer. Find the peace you are reaching for. It's ok to leave. She did, the following day with me sleeping right next to her. She came to me as I slept from pure exhaustion. Her face had a smile, a smirk, no words were exchanged. She was also young looking again. The feeling was so serene, total peace. All of a sudden I felt as if something was terribly wrong. I jumped up from the cot i was sleeping on and ran to her side. I watched her take her last 2 breaths and pass away. It freaked me out. I had such a peaceful feeling after that. later that night while think over the events of that encounter I realized That my mom's spirit came to show me she was fine. I watched her physical body pass. This experience helped me tremendously for a long time. I also wrote to my mom in a journal for many months during her fight to stay alive and also after her passing. This was extremely therapeutic spiritually and emotionally for me. I hope this was of some help to you. Best of luck to you and your families time of hardship. Michael

You are in Hell, without the flames, however, Jesus is there in spirit.

 

There is a doctor from Egypt that does complete digestive transplants, research him on Discovery Health.

 

My husband was 23 when he had stomach cancer and said he would die in 2 weeks if he did not have the stomach removed. We thought the doctors were crazy and my husband went to Mayo clinic... 9 months went buy.

He started bleeding booth ends, ended up having a total gastrectomny, 2 inches of his esphagus removed, and 28 lympth nodes removed. 

 

He was told he had to have Chemo, and my husband said no way....The doctors stopped talking to us. We had to call for the B12 injections, we had to call to set up the cancer check ups. However 9 years later,

 He is a miracle!

Ask Jesus to help your husband right now and believe He will be healed. I will pray for you both now.