Mom's update

Roxanne Sparks · Posted: Mon May 14, 2007 12:41 pm Post subject: Mom's update

Hello everyone,
It's been awhile since I've written. My Mom was moved from her house to mine 5 weeks ago. She has been bed ridden since her last doctor's appt. on March 19th. Yesterday, for Mother's Day, we picked her up out of bed and let her join the party for a few hours. When we put her back to bed she was exhausted, but said she had a blast.
Mom was diagnosed November 2006 with an inoperable GBM Grade IV. At her last doctor's appt, he said he thought she had about 3 mos. Well, 2 months later she's not changed and we pray everyday that she'll be with us well beyond another month.
I do have a question if anyone can help. My Mom deteriorated quickly from January until March and then she has been unchanged since then. Hospice says she has "leveled out". Does anyone know what they mean by this or experienced this stage?
God bless you all,
Roxanne

brainman · Posted: Mon May 14, 2007 2:39 pm Post subject: Re: Mom's update

WOW, Roxanne, it has been a long time! Glad to hear that your mother is still living and finding some joy in her life surrounded by her loving family.

My mother died almost 9 years ago of a GBM. She only lived 2 months after her diagnosis. I don't think she ever experienced a time of "leveling out" although after she made the decision not to be treated, her and our minds could start doing the grieving we needed to do. And, in my experience, that was easier for all of us. Yes, there were sad time. However, we also got to talk a lot about happier days.

Ask the hospice people mean by "leveled out." They may just mean that the original rapid decline associated with the first diagnosis of GBM has ended and that your mother will be this way until she ultimately dies.

I have many friends in the chaplaincy department at Central Baptist if you ever need any help.

You and your mother are in my thoughts and prayers.
_________________
Jim
Site Administrator and long-term cancer survivor
1992 Astrocytoma grade 2, left motor strip
2005 Recurrence this time said to be an Oligodendoglioma grade 3, same location.
My Story Part 1: http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?p=7350
My Story Part 2: http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?t=8029
Blog http://jimhawkinsport.blogspot.com/

brunette · Posted: Tue May 15, 2007 12:15 pm Post subject: Re: Mom's update

Dear Roxanne,

Im glad your mum had a chance to enjoy Mothers Day.

During my mums last few months the doctors told us that she could remain at a certain stage for some weeks, ie eating and drinking little, sleeping most of the time. As it happened she remained like this for about a week only before passing away. For her last week she seemed almost comatose, although she did open her eyes once or twice very briefly.

Of course things may be very different for your mum, its so hard to give answers to questions like this. Please feel free to email me, our stories sound so similar. I wish I could be more help to you.

Love and best wishes Jen xxx

Roxanne Sparks · Posted: Wed May 16, 2007 10:22 am Post subject: Re: Mom's update

Hi Jen,
Thanks for the kind words. My Mom has been the same for approximately 2 months now. She's eating fine and drinking as well. She has no use of her legs thanks to the steroids. Her doctor said her bones are very brittle because of them also. She talks about getting up to brush her teeth and bath, so I just humor her more or less. She seems fine, other than memory loss and confusion. I just don't see any change in her at all for the last few months.
Hospice has been such a blessing. They come to the house 3 days a week and bath her, take care of her meds, etc. I can't say enough about them.
I haven't worked since Jan 19th. They're holding my job for me until August, so that's a load off my mind.
I wish I knew more of what to expect with this whole thing. I never thought I would have my Mom living with me in this situation. I'm just glad I can be the one to take care of her. Her twin sister has been living with us as well for the past 5 weeks. She lives out of town and has been a huge help and support for me and my husband.
Anything you can tell me about your Mom would be helpful. When was she diagnosed? Treatment? etc.
Thanks Jen! You're really appreciated!
Roxanne

brunette · Posted: Wed May 16, 2007 11:10 am Post subject: Re: Mom's update

Hi Roxanne.

My mum 1st noticed there was something wrong in May last yr. The doctor put her on anti-depressants!

Anyway, she was sent for a scan and in August the docs told her (I was there at the time) that she had a tumour. She went for a biopsy and we found out that she had GBM.

She was told that it was going kill her, but they gave her radiotherapy to try to hold it off for a while.

Personally I would rather she hadnt had the radiotherapy as she was so wiped out for her last remaining months with us. Christmas was awful , as she didnt want to celebrate at all, so the rest of the family did there own thing. She went into a hospice here in the UK at the end of January.

Hopspice care here is superb. Just before Mothers Day, approx March 18th she was pretty much asleep most of the time. Then on March 25th she slipped away quietly in her sleep, all her children were with her and to be honest it was such a blessing when she passed.

It was a time where we all gathered a lot of strength from each other, even had some laughs...but many many tears.

Now 2 months on , I am smiling again...its what mum would have wanted. I have my sad days of course, but life is wonderful and I try to enjoy each day. Im so sorry for your situation and I hope this post has helped, even just a tiny bit. Big hugs , I will be thinking of you xxxx Jen.

vintage · Regular Joined: 12 Jun 2006 Posts: 35 Location: Minnesota

Hi Roxanne~ I'm so glad you are able to have your mom with you right now. Hospice is wonderful. Terrific your job was willing to give you the time you need. That is a huge blessing. Will keep praying for you and your mom. Keep us posted how you are.....and if you need anything......

Hi Jen~ So glad to see you still posting here.....The experiences we have had can be so helpful to others that are faced with what we went thru. I'm glad you are starting to smile again. It will keep getting better with time. Keep in touch!!!

Kevan
_________________
Kevan

Dad diagnosed GBM IV Nov. 1995.
Passed away Dec. 31 1996.
64 YO

michelesmith · Experienced user Joined: 28 Oct 2005 Posts: 71

Roxanne,
I am glad you were able to enjoy another Mother's Day with your mom. If it weren't for hospice I don't know how we would have survived. The hospice group we used was awesome and they still contact my mom occassionally to check on her over a year later.

Hang in there.
Michele
_________________
Michele

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