My Mom is 64 and recently finished her Chemo and Radiation treatments for her lung cancer; of course the Emphysema remains (the price she's paid for 50 yrs. of smoking). Her first follow up doctor appts. were fine. She was up & about, driving, going to bingo, etc. The only difference was the oxygen she is on 100% of the time now. Five days ago, unexpectedly, she became so weak she couldn't walk w/o help, her appetite disappeared, and she began talking the way a person talks in their sleep - only she was awake. My Dad & I have a hospice person come to the house every other day now, and another volunteer to help her bath 3 times a week. She cannot be left alone (the anxiety). Yesterday the RN used the word 'terminal' in the same sentence as ,"at this advanced stage of her disease...". It was the 1st time anybody indicated my Mom wasn't going to get better.
Because her follow up appts. were o.k., it never even occurred to us that we may lose her. I don't understand how her condition could do such a turnaround, or why her doctors gave no indication this could happen. I've got so many questions, and I feel so helpless...seeing my independent, strong, peacekeeping Mom deteriorate like this. And I know it's got to be so hard for her, needing to be cared for like this.
If there's anybody out there who can help me to understand how or why this has happened, and what I can possibly expect this disease to do next, please don't hesitate to tell me. Thank you.