Pancreatic cancer

Hello, I posted a message earlier this week regarding my Mother and her terrible disease of pancreatic ca and lung ca...She has become very weak over the last 3 days and has had increase of pain in her mid back....We had to take her in to her oncologist today and they gave her some fluids since she was so dehydrated......Her bowels have been overactive and she has some trouble controlling them at times which is so humiliating to her.....We are seeing the oncologist again tomorrow for a re-evalation on continuing the Gemsar, pain control, and her insomonia...She is so very, very weak tonight and her appetite has decreased considerably....All of these major changes have really just happened in the last 3-4 days....She can't take loratab ( makes her deathly sick, vomiting, dizziness and just spaced out....She is taking Darvocet, but this isn't really controlling the pain and she can't get a good nights rest, which causes her to become even more tired and weaker each day....Just talking outloud....Wishing there were easy answers....I know the worst is yet to come.....Please pray for me to have the strength to be able to accomodate all of needs during the process of this terrible disease..I want to keep her at home with me and care for her the best I can.....I have spoken to Hospice, but we haven't requested there services  at this point.....Sharon

Sorry for your mother's problems.  I'm not by any means an expert on this but I think it's probably time to bring in Hospice.  From what I've read and heard Hospice can provide medications that will take care of the pain plus providing other services that are going to be needed.  I know, everyone thinks Hospice is the last straw but I've also heard of people using their services for extended periods of time.  I would suggest consulting with your Oncologist for his/her thoughts on this matter.

Best wishes.

ACE42

 

On 7/21/2009 ACE42 wrote:

Sorry for your mother's problems.  I'm not by any means an expert on this but I think it's probably time to bring in Hospice.  From what I've read and heard Hospice can provide medications that will take care of the pain plus providing other services that are going to be needed.  I know, everyone thinks Hospice is the last straw but I've also heard of people using their services for extended periods of time.  I would suggest consulting with your Oncologist for his/her thoughts on this matter.

Best wishes.

ACE42

ACE42,Thanks for your reply and suggestions....We see the oncologist again today and will address some of these issues...I did call Hospice and they said they would come at moments notice to began their services....Thanks again, Sharon

 

On 7/21/2009 SharonR wrote:

Hello, I posted a message earlier this week regarding my Mother and her terrible disease of pancreatic ca and lung ca...She has become very weak over the last 3 days and has had increase of pain in her mid back....We had to take her in to her oncologist today and they gave her some fluids since she was so dehydrated......Her bowels have been overactive and she has some trouble controlling them at times which is so humiliating to her.....We are seeing the oncologist again tomorrow for a re-evalation on continuing the Gemsar, pain control, and her insomonia...She is so very, very weak tonight and her appetite has decreased considerably....All of these major changes have really just happened in the last 3-4 days....She can't take loratab ( makes her deathly sick, vomiting, dizziness and just spaced out....She is taking Darvocet, but this isn't really controlling the pain and she can't get a good nights rest, which causes her to become even more tired and weaker each day....Just talking outloud....Wishing there were easy answers....I know the worst is yet to come.....Please pray for me to have the strength to be able to accomodate all of needs during the process of this terrible disease..I want to keep her at home with me and care for her the best I can.....I have spoken to Hospice, but we haven't requested there services  at this point.....Sharon

Hi Sharon,

Sorry to hear that your Mom is not doing so well since you last posted. Regarding your Mom's back pain, there is a type of pain management called a plexus block that she might be a candidate for. It is an injection into deep tissue, and somewhat like an epideral, that is said to provide long lasting relief, especially to those who are experiencing severe back pain due to PC. It wouldn't hurt to bring this up with the oncologist.

You can read about the plexus block here : http://etherweb.bwh.harvard.edu/pmc/padmin/celiac.html

Glad to hear that you called Hospice. They will be able to provide your Mom (and you), with a lot of support. My thoughts and prayers are with you both. Hang in there.