hoarse voice

Hi there

I've been reading and posting here on and off  for about a year now and have found some very useful information from this site.

My husbands esophageal tumor was found in the beginning of April 2008 and he was shortly thereafter dx with stage 4 EC at the ge junction and given 6 mos to 1 year to live. 

So I am posting this question in hopes somebody/anybody has some kind of information/support for me.

Over the last few days his voice has become hoarse and it's like he is losing his voice has anybody read about this or experienced it? Is there anything I can do to help him feel more comfortable?

I'm thinking it is either from all the retching or the cancer has spread up the esophagus. 

He is at the point in his journey that the medical community does not want to do any more tests/treatments for him.They have said he has less than a month left with us.

Some background info.....

By the time chemo started in May 2008 my husband aged 46 had already lost 30 lbs. He finished chemo in Oct. 2008 and then tried radiation for the last 2 weeks of 2008. Which resulted in the tumor swelling to the point he could no longer swallow anything not even his own saliva. New Years eve he had a feeding tube put in is jejunum and since about Mar 2009 it has been his sole source of nutrition. 

In Feb 2009 he had a stent placed which immediately migrated into his stomach and a 2nd one was placed again in Mar. 2009 by then it was too late and he was no longer able to tolerate food. Even with the stent he has been throwing up mucous constantly.

Any info/suggestions would be greatly appreciated
God Bless

Bonnie

On 6/29/2009 Desperate Bonnie wrote:

Hi there

I've been reading and posting here on and off  for about a year now and have found some very useful information from this site.

My husbands esophageal tumor was found in the beginning of April 2008 and he was shortly thereafter dx with stage 4 EC at the ge junction and given 6 mos to 1 year to live. 

So I am posting this question in hopes somebody/anybody has some kind of information/support for me.

Over the last few days his voice has become hoarse and it's like he is losing his voice has anybody read about this or experienced it? Is there anything I can do to help him feel more comfortable?

I'm thinking it is either from all the retching or the cancer has spread up the esophagus. 

He is at the point in his journey that the medical community does not want to do any more tests/treatments for him.They have said he has less than a month left with us.

Some background info.....

By the time chemo started in May 2008 my husband aged 46 had already lost 30 lbs. He finished chemo in Oct. 2008 and then tried radiation for the last 2 weeks of 2008. Which resulted in the tumor swelling to the point he could no longer swallow anything not even his own saliva. New Years eve he had a feeding tube put in is jejunum and since about Mar 2009 it has been his sole source of nutrition. 

In Feb 2009 he had a stent placed which immediately migrated into his stomach and a 2nd one was placed again in Mar. 2009 by then it was too late and he was no longer able to tolerate food. Even with the stent he has been throwing up mucous constantly.

Any info/suggestions would be greatly appreciated
God Bless

Bonnie

 

 

Hi Bonnie,

I am so sorry to hear your news.  My husband passed away May 7th from EC.  During the weeks before his passing, he too became very hoarse.  My husband however did have a feeding tube and no stent so I don't know if that could be a source of his hoarseness or just part of the 'process'.

When we could no longer get pain relief from the pharmacy, went over to the hospital and there we finally met with the palliative care doctor who explained the process to us.  They said they would keep him therre until his pain was successfully managed for 24 hours and then suggested we move to the hospice for an addiitonal period before returning home.  (We did not know the end was so near though.) and after spending nearly a week at the hospital with them 'trying' to manage his pain, he was transferred to the hospice house and they were very helpful in answering my continued questions about the end stages and made certain he was comfortable.  They do not offer treatments (I believe my husband had pneumonia again before going over there) but since we'd had the discussion with the palliative care doctor at the hospital, his care changed completely from trying to fix to just keeping him comfortable with his family (and dog) at his side. 

The first day at the hospice house, my husband had us run home for his feeding tube so we could set it up, but then when this contributed to his pain, we stopped it for the night (and never did resume it.)  I was very aware that he was no longer eating (and not using the feeding tube) - all I remember is that I wanted to be with him every moment and while I offered him water, juice, meals, etc. I just went with his wishes...

How's your husband's pain?  For us that was the worst and that's where the hospice house was a Godsend!  If you don't have a hospice house available, is there hospice services that could come over to care for him and you!  They are such a kind and caring group and have helped and seen so many pass they really can provide you some insight into what all the changes mean/bring...

I wish you both God's peace and strength through this journey!

Dear  AngelsAmongUs

Thank you for your response... I am so sorry for your loss and know some of the hell you've been through.

Currently
my husband is on high doses of subcue dilaudid/hydromorphone for his
pain, and is using ativan and transaderm patches. The side effects of
the dilaudid are terrible with severe twitching, jumping and
hallucinations but he had to decide which was worse the pain or the
toxicity. His pain is never completely under control, this is truly a
horrible disease.

We do have hospice houses here but we have death
at home in place and the nurse comes by every second day to change his
pain pump needle and check his vitals.

As of two days ago he has had a new pain in the region of his heart, he has been bleeding and has become paler and weaker. 

Over the last several days my husband has asked to discontinue the last 375-750 calories of feed due
to discomfort and I too do as he wishes. So far he has resumed them
again in the morning but I know like you the day will come. I try to do
everything to make him comfortable and like you were, I am always by his
side.

Thank you for your wishes of peace and strength.

May God keep you strong as you go through this new phase in your life.

Hugs