Mother small cell lung cancer.. need knowledge - Cancer: Lung Message Board

Molly&Mary · 09-16-2005, 10:43 PM

Our mother is dying of small cell lung cancer.. she has been given about a month or less. It is now at 3 weeks.. My sister and I, Molly, want to know what to expect.. what signs to look for.. We've never heard of this Terminal Sedation. Hospice is involved in this. Today she is in the worse pain yet, struggling more with breathing, loss of appetite, and speaking of hard pain, numbness on left side.. She still seems very aware of things..we are just at a loss on what to expect next.. Just needing some help.. anyone..
Thanks
Mary and Molly

Mother refusing treatment

Molly&Mary · 09-17-2005, 11:49 AM

Our mother was diagnosed with small cell lung cancer 3 weeks ago today..
The doctor at that time said she had less than a month. No treatment options for her. She just wants to go home, she says everyday. We have over the past 3 weeks upped her meds so many times.. nothing seems to help her really sleep well at all.. it will work for a few days then it's back to the same pain, feeling like she can't breath well, numbness, lack of sleep.. it's just the most awful thing to go thru for her and for us watching someone you love so much not only dying, but suffering and feeling so helpless.

We talk to hospice constantly. We just do not know how this will go for her. If there is anyone who can give us any advise, any information, tell us what they experienced, what we can expect or look for.. anything.. please respond.

Thank you all..
Molly and Mary

tuckygal · 09-17-2005, 01:17 PM

Molly and Mary, my heart goes out to you. I am in remission right now and so thankful for each day. I can tell you my father suffered from emphysema and lung cancer showed up several months before he died. His last months he was on oxygen constantly, had regular breathing treatments with Albuterol, and still had very labored breathing at times. Thankfully toward the end he was unconscience and showed no signs of suffering the last two days. We were losing our mother to congestive heart failure and lost her almost exactly a week later. No words can describe the heartbreak of watching one you love suffer with the frightened look in their eyes. We upped the pain medication regularly until I feared we would cause their death with the massive amounts they tolerated. I pray for you and your Mom, that she can be medicated enough to not suffer. Hospice was wonderful to our parents, and did all they could to make them as comfortable as possible. Don't be afraid to voice all your concerns because they are there for the family as well. I will pray for you all each day. In Christian love, Pat

Molly&Mary · 09-17-2005, 06:01 PM

Thank you Pat for your caring response. Mom is a very strong christian woman with no fear of death. She knows she is going to be with Jesus. Her only fear at this point is the suffering, and the tought of sufficating to death at the end. Hospice assured us that it will be a quiet peaceful death, and your reponse helps confirm that. We know the road ahead is going to be tough.. pray for us to have strength during these trying times.

God Bless you and keep you healthy,
Molly and Mary

PAYNE_PAYNE · 09-27-2005, 06:22 PM

WOW I am emotional cause I have been through what you 2 are going through May God be with all of you. My father died and he had small cell carcinoma. He lived exactly 1 year to the day he was diagnosed. I am just going to shoot straight.. My daddy played a round of golf the day before he died... It was the best day ever.. The next morning basically he just keep thinking he had to go to the bathroom (URINATE) He was totally aware of everything from the time we put him on the ambulance to the minute he died which was one day right after the GOLF TRIP!!! My dad was in bed and very concerned about everyone there he kept asking us why we were all there HE WAS VERY ALERT IN SEVERE PAIN but VERY ALERT and comical to a degree... Then things that day began to slow down he asked us to rub his legs said they were hurting then (IWISH I KNEW THEN WHAT I KNOW NOW) and that is under his nose began to turn blue gray and his fingernails did too.. HE WAS VERY MUCH ALIVE AND WELL but I asked the nurse and she told us (AFTER HE DIED) that was the sign when they called us all in.... HE WAS VERY ALERT with the blue and grey coloration though.. It was just a matter of time... It has by far been the hardest thing I have ever dealt with in my life and I am 31. Basically his kidneys were shutting down so monitor your moms urine and also look for this coloration and if she hurts in places she doesnt normally hurt means she is losing xygen to that part of her body.... I am thinking of yall hope to hear of her peaceful rest with Jesus in his due time... May she rest and may you both have the peace that passes all understanding!!!