80 year old with cancer? - Cancer Message Board

prettypixie · 03-31-2007, 12:07 PM

hi, well.... my nan was diognosed with cancer in her kidney, she is 80 years old and this REALLY worries me obviously....

Now, shes not a normal 80 year old, she looks 60 and acts 40!! she is always the life and soul of the party and keeps everyone happy.

she had the operation which was really sucessfull, the tumor (which was smaller than the size of a pea apparently) was removed and also her kidney. she came out the op and was in such high spirits, very strong and full of will power to get better.

she's still in hospital and was getting better, but now she seems to be getting worse, she is very ill and is being sick alot, she doesnt want to eat and is constantly tired.

i thought that as long as she survived the OP, and all the cancer was removed, that she would be fine... but reality is kicking in now and iam worried to death.

i dont actually know what my question is here....

is it possible for her to get better even though she is 80? should she be feeling like this now??

pixie

Thelma-Louise · 03-31-2007, 02:32 PM

Sometimes meds can cause this as well as the ordeal of the surgery so you or your folks may want to discuss it with her doctors.

What is important is that you try and lift her spirits and encourage her to get better so she can go home. When my gram was in the hospital for 3 months after having surgery and had complications, I would go and give her "beauty treatments" - do her hair, nails, give her a sponge bath, rubbed lotion on her feet, etc and she loved playing cards, so I brought a deck of cards and we would play as often as possible. I even got permission to bring in her favorite meals and treats - even though they told me the food I brought was not "healthy" at least she was eating again and getting stronger. She loved chocolate or rice pudding - so I brought it everyday - whether she wanted to eat or not - just in case. The hospital environment can be depressing, so do what you can to liven it up for her - if she likes music, bring in a radio or cd player with an ear plug or head set. Encourage her to talk to you when she is not tired - ask her about when she was young, growing up, her life in general - it will help stimulate and focus her mind.

Fizzickle · 04-10-2007, 07:40 PM

Sure it's possible to get better at 80.

I am also 80, and recently have had bladder cancer. Since the bladder and kidneys are interconnected, I will ask if the doctors have done a cystoscopy (visual inspection of the bladder) to make sure she doesn't have bladder cancer?

That might account for her not feeling well. Or it may simply be that the stress of having a kidney removed has sapped her strength.

Bill