swelling up - Cancer: Lung Message Board

ChazzyBear · 02-03-2004, 08:15 AM

Can anyone tell me how long someone has when they start filling with fluids? My Mom has lung cancer that has spread to her bones, skull, adrenal glands, and we are not sure where else as it has been Thanksgiving that we were given this information and she has been too sick to get back to the doctor! We know we are getting close due to the fact we were told she had about 6 weeks left and that has expired but I wanted to know if anyone can tell me how long after a cancer patients ankles and face start getting swelled about how long do you think we will have before she passes? We have family that we need to be calling that live 1200 miles away! Thanks for all your help
May God Bless each and every one of you!

farawaydaughter · 02-03-2004, 07:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChazzyBear

Can anyone tell me how long someone has when they start filling with fluids? My Mom has lung cancer that has spread to her bones, skull, adrenal glands, and we are not sure where else as it has been Thanksgiving that we were given this information and she has been too sick to get back to the doctor! We know we are getting close due to the fact we were told she had about 6 weeks left and that has expired but I wanted to know if anyone can tell me how long after a cancer patients ankles and face start getting swelled about how long do you think we will have before she passes? We have family that we need to be calling that live 1200 miles away! Thanks for all your help
May God Bless each and every one of you!

Hi ChazzyBear. I have been watching this board for a long time however this is my first time writing.

It sounds like you and I have the same questions and sounds like, too, that both our moms are at about the same symptoms. Her face, eyes, and toes are swollen, has glassy eyes (she sees you but doesn't really see you anymore) sleeps 95% of the time. However, has never had any pain, which is quite amazing. She was 'diagnosed' the beginning of March 2003, went through chemo, now nearing the end of her life.

The one thing I do know...we were told that she is swelling because the lumps are covering her lymph nodes therefore the natural secretions from the lymph nodes flows to where it can.

I live 1800 miles away and rely on my 2 sisters who are there to tell me what's going on (they do really great) and when it's time to come home again. Being so far away is really, really hard, harder than I ever imagined. I can't afford to keep flying back and forth.....as much as I want to be there, as much as I need to be there. I was there 2 weeks ago, she was tired and slept probably 50% of her day, but otherwise was up talking/interacting with us. Just 2 weeks later, she's basically in bed all the time, barely talks.

So, if any of you can tell us, give us some clues, it would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks for listening.....

ChazzyBear · 02-04-2004, 08:23 AM

Dear Faraway,
This may sound weird but it is nice to know there is someone out there that can relate to me. We are exactly in the same boat, my Mom was diagnosed in September of 2003 with stage 3 B which quickly turned to stage 4. My Mom is very very weak, about to the point of not walking and when she does we have to hold her legs and hips as there is not much left to hold them in. She is turning the "grey color" that I used to hear people talk about but now am experiancing. I have asked other family members if they see it (as sometimes I think maybe we see something one day and then not the next as the changes are so rapid) and they also see it.
I am scared to see my mom go, but am ready for she is in so much pain----IT HURTS.
I am glad to hear your Mom is in no pain.
My Mom often says that each day "THe sun will shine even on a rainy day" and she is right! Soon our Moms will be Angels and will warm our hearts every day .
May God Bless you and your family
I am sorry to hear that you are so far away...... how hard that must be on you.... i am 10 minutes away and some days that is just way to far!
I will pray for you to be able to spend more time with her befor she goes, but remember when she is gone you will be together every day... as she will be your "angel"
Chazzy

trinker · 02-05-2004, 10:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChazzyBear

Dear Faraway,
This may sound weird but it is nice to know there is someone out there that can relate to me. We are exactly in the same boat, my Mom was diagnosed in September of 2003 with stage 3 B which quickly turned to stage 4. My Mom is very very weak, about to the point of not walking and when she does we have to hold her legs and hips as there is not much left to hold them in. She is turning the "grey color" that I used to hear people talk about but now am experiancing. I have asked other family members if they see it (as sometimes I think maybe we see something one day and then not the next as the changes are so rapid) and they also see it.
I am scared to see my mom go, but am ready for she is in so much pain----IT HURTS.
I am glad to hear your Mom is in no pain.
My Mom often says that each day "THe sun will shine even on a rainy day" and she is right! Soon our Moms will be Angels and will warm our hearts every day .
May God Bless you and your family
I am sorry to hear that you are so far away...... how hard that must be on you.... i am 10 minutes away and some days that is just way to far!
I will pray for you to be able to spend more time with her befor she goes, but remember when she is gone you will be together every day... as she will be your "angel"
Chazzy

ChazzyBear and Faraway,

I too know what you are both going through as my mom is about the same. She was diagonsed in August with Stage 111B and is now in Stage 4, we have done the raditation thing, etc. I live about 1200 miles away so is very hard to really know what is going on. I talk to my mom on the phone and via e-mail and set up a web cam when I was there last time but it isn't the same a begin there. I came to this site and read all the message (usually cry), however I don't post much as I just don't know what to say. Just reading these message seem to give me some comfort. I will keep you both in my thoughts and prayers. Thank you all for listening.

T

farawaydaughter · 02-06-2004, 07:32 AM

Chazzy and Trinker,

Thank you both for your encouragement. It doesn't sound weird at all that there is comfort in us going through this together, I thoroughly understand that now.

How are your moms doing? Mine seems to be changing daily. She's starting a 12 hr "time released" morphene starting today to help with her breathing and anxiety. Her skin around her lips are now discolored; most likely not from the lack of oxygen but rather just the desease itself; vomitting with blood; b/p up and down.

When I talked with my sister last night, I could hear my mom in the background, sounding confused, oh so weak, not like my mom.

Am playing it day by day in terms if I should go home or not. I ask God to spare her from going through this but then am angry at Him for putting her through this, for putting anyone through this. My faith is teetering right now (but thankfully I always come back to Him) but ultimately I know she will be with Him soon.

You know, before this all started I believed she would be here with me forever, that we would never be going through this, that I would never lose her. (A little non-reality based, I know but still the same, I never thought about losing her). Now I tell people to appreciate the life they have, and understand the importance of those around them, for that can, and will, change so quickly.

I know I would, like you Chazzy, appreciate info from people out there as to 'signs' that her death is closer. I want to hold her as she passes; I can't stand the thought of her being alone. If you have a moment, please reply.

God Bless us all.

Cathy