Oct
my mum has been diagnosed with cancer. she has a massive tumor on her bowel, a mass on her ovaries and cancer in her liver too. doc are having meetings right now to see what her options are. i am her main caregiver and want to give her the best support i can but what is ahead of me. i need honesty please!
Answer:
First off, you’re a strong person for being there for your mother…not many people want to step up and take care of their loved ones when faced with something this massive.
I'm not gonna lie or sugar coat it, it's hard work. I took care of my Grandmother as her live in caregiver for over 2 years. She was diagnosed with Esophageal cancer and couldn't eat. Aside from her not being able to eat, she only needed minimal supervision…she did the things that she normally loved to do (and thats one of the things they stress the most) and I'd help her with physician visits, chemotherapy, radiation, testing, pharmacy trips, etc.
Aside from the endless hours and hours of waiting for appointments, the main thing is that you’re the cancer patients person. You’re their touchstone. Above everyone else you’re there for them no matter what. And it's a very huge responsibility, but it's simple when you love someone so much. And I'm sure you love your mother a lot.
Surgery is hard to go through…making sure she's okay in the hospital, speaking to the doctor during rounds, staying on top of medications. But thats also why the doctor has you stay in the hospital, the nurses can give you a lil respite and take the helm for a few days after surgery if she's going to have that.
Chemotherapy is a tough one. Usually chemotherapy is given at an outpatient center (infusion room) over the course of several hours, unless she's getting pill form. They’ll set you up in a room or sitting area and your mother will either have a port a cath (which is a central line) or a PICC line (a line in the arm) where the drugs will be infused into. Usually chemotherapy makes you fatigued, nauseus, suseptible to infections, anemic, give you diarrhea, mouth sores, changes in your taste and will prolly make her lose her hair, etc. With proper care, rest, a good diet, and staying on top of her medications, it will help a lot.
Radiation is usually given as a outpatient/appointment at the hospital. Beams of radiation is targeted at certain parts of the body and it's given over a short period of time. Usually it's given once a day for 5 days or what your Radiologist plans for your mom. Radiation will also make your mother very tired, give her what looks like a “sunburn” on the affected area(s).
For the most part, treatment does not take a long long time. Aside from taking care of my Grandmother, I was just diagnosed with Hodgkin's Lymphoma. Treatment for me was very different. So depending on what the Oncologist and Radiologists think/plan for, will greatly depend on what kind of treatment she will have.
Taking one thing at a time will help a lot as you plan for this. Cancer is such a time consuming, draining experience, but, it gives you the strength to do anything. If you can be there for someone you love through the thick and thin, help them, be their support, you can literally do anything. I applaud you for sticking by your mom in her time of need.
Check out some of the websites listed below…the one thing they tell us cancer patients is: Knowledge is power…and even if we’ve no control, knowing what to anticipate, planning and preparing is something that helps us get back in control. I wish you both the ideal.
Answer:
This is a tough situation for both you and your mum. When cancer is spread to multiple organs, it is usually difficult to bring under control, but it depends on the type of cancer cells.
Chemotherapy is typically the primary approach in this situation, even though surgery might also be used to remove any growths that are causing a problem (like obstructing the bowel), or when removal is apt to permanently stop that particular type of tumor growth. It will probably take multiple rounds of chemotherapy, and maybe even experimenting with different drugs.
Chemotherapy regimes are highly variable, depending on the specific drugs involved. A typical regime might be getting an IV with a drug in it, sending your mum home afterward, and then repeating the IV at a regular interval anywhere from every 2 weeks to maybe as long as every 2 months, until there is improvement. Most of the chemotherapies cause people to become very fatigued and nauseous. A great deal of care isn’t necessarily needed for a chemotherapy patient other than helping with cleaning, cooking, shopping, or other tasks that require more energy than your mum might be able to muster. This routine can occur on and off again for several years.
If the chemotherapy isn’t effective, then the care becomes focused on symptoms caused by the advancing cancer. If you reach this phase, the care often swiftly exceeds what someone can provide on their own without assistance. A patient may need someone available for assistance at all times of the day. Visiting nurses or other types of assistants are sometimes used to help with things like managing colostomies, feeding, changing dressings, and giving medications.
Answer:
I a sorry to hear this, my mom was diagnosed with colon cancer with secondaries in her liver. She was told that if the cancer had only been in her colon(bowel) it could have been treated easier but having secondaries in the liver this was different. She had an operation to remove the tumor from her colon and then chemo just to prolong her life. She lived for a year and 5 months after diagnosis. She was just 60 yrs of age when she passed. I was her carer all the time. It is going to be hard for you. You need to make your mum as comfortable as she has the ability to be and you need to be as strong as you can. I never cried in front of my mother but when I was alone I used to cry my heart out. Cancer is a very nasty disease and you both have to have a lot of patience. Being there for my mum was the best thing I could have done, I know I did all I could when she needed me. I wish you an your mother all the luck in the world. Take care both of you.
Answer:
first i am so sorry to hear of your mums diagnosis
you both have a very tough time ahead you with caring and your mum with treatments which will include chemotherapy she’ll loose appetite quickly but must try and get as much nutrients as possible your physician will be able to supply high energy drinks and wil be very exhausted all the time nausea will be a problem too surgery may be an option but there might be a few
all you can do is help in every way possible and be understanding on her down days appointments will be frequent
i warn you it is a long process and i hope that all will resolve itself in the very near future
Answer:
Depends how old you’re..this is a massive responsibility. Perhaps you can get a home health aid in to help you ( do you work, go to school ?)If the prognosis is a dark one, Hospice can help. You , first of all have to take care of yourself before you take care of her. If she goes to a church, perhaps church members can help. Take up anyone's offer to help you.
I would prepare for the worst and PRAY for the best. And, miracles do happen if you believe.
Answer:
Sorry about your mother,
Ovarian cancer is kind of deadly. again it depends how bad it is. is it an early stage cancer. I can't promise a treatment. but there is thing you can do to make her life superior during the Doctor's therapy, be able to fight it for a longer period of time and with prayers that she has the ability to be one of those that get cured from this.