Signs That The End Is Near

Hi, I am seeking advice..... My Mother-in-law was diagnosed with small cell lung cancer last April. She has been through chemotherapy, which ended in august. She has been very positive since being diagnosed but also herself & husband(and the rest of the family) have been in denial I think. I think she has been suffering in silence and putting on a brave face, but that ended just after christmas, I think she was just desparate to see her grandkids for one last time on xmas day but has had enough now. Her condition has deteriated drastically, just in the last 2 wks, she is gone from being up & about to can't get out of bed, struggling for breath, very sleepy & not eating. She has been given diazepam. I feel that she is in her last days now, I dont know if I'm right to think that and her husband & the rest of the family are still in denial, they keep saying she will get better. Am I being too negative?? I think we should be sharing our last words and everyone else is trying to force her to eat & get her out of bed to make her better. Are there any signs to look for that she only has days to go or are we already seeing the signs? Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks, Kelly.

Why not make an appointment with her oncologist, you can get hospice involved--and they will work with the family. She should be seeing an oncologist regularly--why isn't she? What's up with that anyhow? Sharon

 

On 1/12/2006 Kelly05 wrote:

Hi, I am seeking advice..... My Mother-in-law was diagnosed with small cell lung cancer last April. She has been through chemotherapy, which ended in august. She has been very positive since being diagnosed but also herself & husband(and the rest of the family) have been in denial I think. I think she has been suffering in silence and putting on a brave face, but that ended just after christmas, I think she was just desparate to see her grandkids for one last time on xmas day but has had enough now. Her condition has deteriated drastically, just in the last 2 wks, she is gone from being up & about to can't get out of bed, struggling for breath, very sleepy & not eating. She has been given diazepam. I feel that she is in her last days now, I dont know if I'm right to think that and her husband & the rest of the family are still in denial, they keep saying she will get better. Am I being too negative?? I think we should be sharing our last words and everyone else is trying to force her to eat & get her out of bed to make her better. Are there any signs to look for that she only has days to go or are we already seeing the signs? Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks, Kelly.

 

I know it's been a while since you posted but this is the first time I found this message board. Let me know if she's still hanging on, or it's over. I can give you all the answers you want.

As for me I'm looking for information too, but I need to know the after effects of all the treatments during cancer.

Cathy