the chemo has finally "hit" my mom.....what do I do? - Cancer: Lung Message Board

angelmama39 · 11-08-2006, 06:23 PM

The first 2 chemos were actually not too bad. My mom had about a good 5 -6 days of fatigue and low appetite. She snapped out of it. As a result, she had the 30% shrinkage. We looked forward to chemo 3 and 4............well, after the 3rd one, we were prepared for the "low", however, she never snapped out of it this time, and she goes for her 4th one tomorrow. She is terribly fatigued, and has no appetite. She lost alot of weight, and looks sunken. she lost all her hair, eyelashes and brows. this chemo is eating her up alive! Should I cancel this next chemo? Or is this kind of normal?

thanks

angel

Newsome · 11-08-2006, 08:15 PM

Everything I've heard is that chemo is terribly hard on the body. Some have said it's worse than the disease itself. And of course age and simple individuality plays a big part on how one reacts. My step-sister has had breast cancer twice and opted to have tamoxafin (sp?) and the only side effect from that was she could not sleep. Her hubby said she was in and out of bed every fifteen minutes. But she never missed a day of work or social event. She had to take it for five years. After that we thought she was cured. But it came back, this time into her lungs. She opted for surgery only and her dr. was confident he got it all. But now she is having periodic neurologic spells again so we are concerned. Apparently more than she is as she stayed up all last night counting ballots. She lets none of this slow her down. She's 57 and tiny like me.

I also read of a physician who found he had a terminal cancer and he took it upon himself to put himself in the hospital and have massive, extremely massive chemo knowing that it might kill him anyway. But his treatment worked and he was cured (at least for a good long while) I don't know what happened all these years later.

So it sounds kind of normal to me based on my limited knowlege. Maybe it's something you can talk with her doctor about. I personally (if it was me) wouldn't want to stop it if there was a chance. No doubt about it chemo is awful and does do damage in some cases. It caused a friend's older sister to become sterile, destroying her ovaries. If your mom is able, it should be her decision to stop so all I can say is to talk to her and the dr. about what she wants and what is best medically.

I lost my mom to pancreatic cancer in '97 and I still miss her every day. She had no treatment options back then, and by the time she was diagnosed she was so far gone and filled with fluid. She only lasted a week which we were told was a blessing. She didn't seem to have much pain except her back which she always had back problems from being obese and it was hard for her to lay in bed for very long even before her illness. They ended up sitting her in a comfortable chair where she finally slipped away in comfort.

I'll be thinking about you and your mom tonight and say a prayer for her and that the right choice will come.

Blessings to you.

Kimslos · 11-08-2006, 10:39 PM

Angel,
It is not for us to say whether to go forward or not with chemo, but I would share with the doctor that she has no appetite as they do have medication to stimulate an appetite. Also, as far as the hair loss that is normal. The bouncing back is the tough thing and I think when the doctor sees her and what you tell them they can help you and your mom make that decision wheter to go forward. Most people in my husband's condition would never have made it to a 4th line and our doctor was very upfront and honest that most people don't make it that long, but somehow Stan is strong, but everyone is different and their bodies are so different on how they handle medications/chemicals. Also, they will take her blood counts to check her white and red counts so that might be the problem too...you never know.
I hope all goes well tomorrow.
Prayers,
Kim

angelmama39 · 11-09-2006, 04:50 AM

Thanks everyone.........Kimlos, I am so sorry for you. Sometimes I admire how strong you are. My continued prayers are with you.........Newsome, thanks for your support and explaination, my prayers are also with you.

We woke my mom up at 6:30 this morning to give her her decadron for her chemo treatment today. She seems to be doing better. If only she would eat today. She did a little better yesterday and already gained one pound.

I will keep you all posted............

angel