Whay should I expect?

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Whay should I expect?

by mothers_helper on Tue Aug 18, 2009 12:00 AM

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I am my mothers only surviving child and moved her closer to me two years ago. July 5, 2009 she went to the Dr with a side ache, and came out of the hospital 5 days later diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, which has spread to liver, ribs and lung. Mother is 82, and having watched my brother and Dad die of cancer within the last ten years, has opted to not take treatments. Drs have advised she is not a median patient and have given her 3 months to live and Hospice has been brought in. 1 1/2 months later, mother is still up and about. Her appetite is not what it use to be, and she sleeps 3/4 of the day, but she still just has the side ache. I pray daily she does not have the pain my brother and Dad had and my prayers have been answered so far. I keep looking for articles on what to expect, and I understand every case is different, but I hope she is able to go peacefully. Dr said the end of pancreas which has the cancer is on the opposite end of stomach and there are not as many nerves, so she will not have a lot of pain. I have asked Hospice nurse to tell me when I will need to start staying with her, and she said I will know when the time comes. Anyone with similar circumstances that can give me an idea what to expect.

Thank You

 

RE: Whay should I expect?

by Brog22 on Wed Aug 19, 2009 12:00 AM

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one book can help " Final Gifts" and also "Final Journeys"

Hospice I hear is just great on controling pain. They can be great all around, very skilled. Yeah still very hard but it is possible to help your mom end her life in a somewhat peaceful manner.  Keep at it,  Always hard to tell how long one can last with PC.....varies of course. Do you have a support group for caregivers ,,, that has helped me a lot. 

RE: Whay should I expect?

by pinballlll on Wed Aug 19, 2009 12:00 AM

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On 8/18/2009 mothers helper wrote:

I am my mothers only surviving child and moved her closer to me two years ago. July 5, 2009 she went to the Dr with a side ache, and came out of the hospital 5 days later diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, which has spread to liver, ribs and lung. Mother is 82, and having watched my brother and Dad die of cancer within the last ten years, has opted to not take treatments. Drs have advised she is not a median patient and have given her 3 months to live and Hospice has been brought in. 1 1/2 months later, mother is still up and about. Her appetite is not what it use to be, and she sleeps 3/4 of the day, but she still just has the side ache. I pray daily she does not have the pain my brother and Dad had and my prayers have been answered so far. I keep looking for articles on what to expect, and I understand every case is different, but I hope she is able to go peacefully. Dr said the end of pancreas which has the cancer is on the opposite end of stomach and there are not as many nerves, so she will not have a lot of pain. I have asked Hospice nurse to tell me when I will need to start staying with her, and she said I will know when the time comes. Anyone with similar circumstances that can give me an idea what to expect.

Thank You

 


 

Hello, 

Sorry to meet like this but I can share what my family & I experienced w/my Dad.  He was dx w/PC on Jan.26, had bypass surgery Feb26, to improve life quality (it did). In mid March he had 2 chemo treatments and said No Thanks.  He was on a pain patch (72hr), which was great pain control.  He was up and also functioning on his own, eating less though, and all seemed good, on into mid-April.  Then he became unusually weak, and unable to get up on his own.  He fell on Apr20, just eating ice/jello, no appetite, and began sleeping a lot Apr 21 & 22, then passed, Peacefully at home on Apr23.

We had a good three months together watching tv and just hanging out eating.  Hope you can do the same.  

God Bless 

Renee

 

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