Lung Cancer survivor 6 years gets carcinomatous meningitis

On Feb 18, 2012 3:56 AM Maria3512 wrote:

Hi, how is your sister? My dad isn't doing well he's gotten worse very quickly. He doesn't talk at all anymore and doesn't wake up. Doctor says he has anywhere from hours to a few days. I hope your sister is still fighting and holding on.

Hi she is doing ok, she has chemo agian on wed. she talks as much as she can and we controll pain with drugs that do not make her sleepy in the day and at night switch. It sounds like your dad is in a coma? I am so sorry, my hope is that it he is in no pain. I have heard your loved one can still hear you in a coma. So sorry this is such a horrible cancer and I am sorry that you have to go though all of this. I will keep up on my updates its just been crazy here. I am going to give you a ((HUG)) and pray for your dad and you and your family. 

Hello so the update is not so good. We were in the ER Thursday for her arm which fell out of socket due to loss of muscle on the paralyzed side. We went back yesterday due to  her babbling nonsense because we thought she had a UTI urinary tract infection like before. But she does not so they are keeping her for a while. We will bring her home hopefully soon. I believe it has taken ahold of he brain again and the cancer has attached to the part that controls the speech. I really feel like she does not have long. I have just had this feeling this week was going to be bad. 

I'm sorry to hear that. Are you still continuing chemo? You need to stay strong. My dad is more awake then before. Apparently they were keeping him sedated under Ativan so that he wouldn't get up meanwhile his leggs don't work and he's losing movement in one arm. I made them discontinue it. He doesn't talk but understands which is so so hard. I think the cancer left his brain and is just moving through his spine. His blood work is perfect. We keep him in no pain. He's on a lot of morphine but I just want him to be comfortable.

Hi there,  I just wanted to add some imput about ativan.  Ativan is an anti anxiety med, and some people really benefit from it.  While my mom was dying, it helped her tremendously.  Yes, the pain meds helped keep her comfortable, but the ativan, kept her anxiety, and fears at bay.  I could watch the monitors and see how Ativan helped her.  I also am a lung cancer patient.  I used the anti-anxiety xanax.  When you are a cancer patient you wouldn't believe how our minds cannot stop thinking of it.  I'm just saying that I believe Ativan helped my mom tremendously.  I not only wanted her not to feel pain, but I wanted her to be as worry free while she was awake as possible.  End stage cancer is so hard to go through for everyone, but especially the patient.  I understand how you feel.  I truly do, and I send you prayers for God's Grace to envelope you all with his love and compassion.  God Bless us all,  Byrd

I'm a pharmacist. I know about Ativan and at first I myself thought he needed it bc he was so agitated and confused now he mostly sleeps and the Ativan pretty much kept him in a coma. We couldn't even get him to eat or drink bc he wouldn't wake up. He was getting infections 3 times a day. I really think he would rather have a few moments to spend with our family as opposed to just being knocked out all day. These are such hard times for all of us. I wish for the strength for all of us.

God Bless you for caring so much.  My mom, unfortunately, did not have lucid moments, so the ativan helped.  She was in ICU for 6 weeks, with a ventilator, and never spoke, or communicated with us during that time.  It was a terrible time for us all.  Your circumstances are different, so thanks for making me understand. 

I hope you all take care of yourselves too, and I wish for strength for you all also. 

Hello Maria, We are on hospice now. She had to have her port removed as it was infected with MRSA in her blood. She will come home to die soon and I have met with all the hospice staff. The Chemo has stoped working now and there are solid tumors wrapped around parts of her brain. She cant answer well and with food I have her look at what she wants and stare at it. Also I ask one question at a time then reverse it to make sure I am getting what she wants. She is on lorizapam to keep her calm. This is the hardest thing I have ever done. Close to it was my own chemo and cancer but that makes me very qualifiyed to take care of her as I would  like to be treated if I die from my cancer. This preps me for that in a strange way.  Stay strong as well!

I'm so so sorry. I hope her pain is able to be managed. Is anyone helping you care for her? My dad has been in hospice for 2 months now and the doctors are amazed that's he's lasted this long since we stopped chemo over 2 months ago. At this point we don't even know if it's spread because once he went into hospice all the tests stopped. He also doesn't speak much just a word here or there. It's hard to get a response from him but we try as hard as we can. He recognizes us and is happy when we are with him. Please keep me updated. You are in my thoughts.

My dad died this morning. At least he is no longer suffering.

Dear Maria,  I am so sorry for your loss.  You've been so wonderful and kind to your father, and I know your heart is breaking.  I'm sure your dad was comforted by your presence.  God Bless you