My Mom Died

Kevinr7 · Regular Joined: 14 Aug 2007 Posts: 10

My mom died friday evening Nov. 2. She was diagnosed 14 weeks ago with non small cell squamus cell.

After an initial hospitalization with some problems, she was doing well after having been through 1 round of radiation (5 times weekly for 6 weeks).. She tolerated the radiation fairly well and was able to maintain her appetite without to much discomfort. She even managed to regain about 6 lbs . She was down to 100 lb after having lost about 12 lb in the hospital

About 3 weeks ago she had some pain in her back, and we found out that the cancer had spread to her spine. Even still, her pain was manageable with medication. She was tired, but felt pretty good. She was driving on her own, going to lunch with friends, etc.

Then, Friday morning she called my brother because she said she felt a pain in her chest. We took her to the hospital and she was in no real distress once they gave her something for her pain. I assumed that this was going to be the first of many in and out trips to the hospital.

However, her white count was zero and her blood pressure was very low. We were talking, they had ordered a catscan, and they already had a room ready for her after the catscan. They were going to give her something to try to increase her blood pressure. Then suddenly I could acutallly hear her gurgling when she breathed. They began to give her a breathing treatment, but she became unresponsive.. The tried to resuscitate her and even intubated her. They were finally able to stabilizer, and they even told us she was stable. Then I saw a bunch more doctors run into the room and I followed them in to watch them pumping my mothers chest for about 5 minutes until they quit. A sight I unfortunately I will never forget. When the ventilator was connected to her there was alot of blood coming from the lungs. We think what happened is that my mothers large lung tumor hemmoraged in her lung.

The consolation is that god was merciful to my mother in that except for Friday, I don't think she had more then 6-8 bad days since her original diagnosis. Most pain was managed with oxycontin which was much more effective for her than Vicodin, which made her nautious and didn't provide much relief.

This is a horrible disease and although I tried to talk myself into thinking my mom was going to beat the odds, it now seems like I was only kidding myself.

Incidentally, they received the results of the catscan that was taken on Friday, and my mom was riddled with cancer. Apparently the radiation did nothing to help her.

When my mom was first diagnosed I found this forum, and found it to be a good source of info and support.

Good Luck to all.

I'll miss my mom, but I'm glad its over for us.
_________________
Kevin- Miami. FL

winnymac · Posted: Wed Nov 07, 2007 12:38 am Post subject: Re: My Mom Died

Kevin,

I am so sorry to here about your mother, it seems it all happened too quickly. My dad fought the disease for 3 years and we too thought maybe he would be the one to beat it. When he did lose the battle we should have been prepared after all that time, but we still weren't.
It is good that she had mostly good days and was still up and active. We have to hold on to the positives, this disease doesn't give us many of those.

Take care,
Linda - Salem OR

karibrenmom · Regular Joined: 23 Oct 2007 Posts: 36

Kevin,

I am so sorry for your loss. I am glad to know God blessed your mom with all the good days.

Libbe
_________________
My mom was diagnosed with NSCLC Squamous Carcinoma 10/23/2007. Wedge resection 11/20/2007. Final pathology showed poorly differiniated large cell carcinomawith invasion of visceral pluera, T2NxM0/stage 1B. 12/14/2007. No chemo elected.

pbj11 · Site Admin Joined: 12 May 2007 Posts: 1262

Kevin,

Oh how my heart breaks for you on the sudden loss of your Mom. I think we all have mental images that we wish would go away and they will in time. God is merciful indeed. Once a tumor begins to hemorrhage, it goes very quickly. (Typically, it is not the tumor itself that bleeds, but some blood vessels the tumor has eroded/grown into.) I'm so very sorry. The radiation only kills the cancer that it is directed at so, if she wasn't on concurrent chemotherapy, cancer cells in other areas of her body just kept growing. The same thing happened to a friend of mine last year.

I think we all want to believe our loved ones are going to be in the few percent who actually survive late stage lung cancer and it helps to have that hope. We have to hold on to our belief that they are in a better place and God minimized our loved one's suffering on earth. For that, we are the lucky survivors -- not everyone gets the good pain-free days that ours did in the course of this disease.

God bless you during this time of loss,
PBJ

brainman · Posted: Wed Nov 07, 2007 10:34 pm Post subject: Re: My Mom Died

Kevin, I am so very sorry about your mother's death. She went so soon... I am sure you would say too soon. Lung cancer is a horrible disease that takes so many lives.

My thoughts and my prayers are with you.
_________________
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/

ksplat · Posted: Thu Nov 08, 2007 3:09 am Post subject: Re: My Mom Died

Dear Kevin
I am so very sorry to hear of your Mom's sudden passing. You & your family must be feeling numb to the events on last Fri evening Nov 2. I hope the terrible trauma you have suffered will not be a lingering memory of your Mum, you have so many positives to cherish as your Mum had been so well up until last Fri.
I pray your hurt & pain will be lessened knowing you have our support & comfort.
God bless you & your family especially through the loss of your Mom.
Cheers, Aussie Angie.
_________________
Brother diagnosed with GBMIV Feb 07
Treatment: Radiotherapy, Temodal, Gliadel Wafers, Dexamethasone, Keppra, Dilantin, Clexane
Went to our Heavenly Father after a 19mth battle,, 47 years young.
23 Sep 2008
http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?p=19227

"Without Faith We Have Nothing"

cdflisa · Regular Joined: 22 Jan 2007 Posts: 21

Kevin I am so sorry for your loss. As I read your post tears started to build in my eyes as that is all too familiar (mom passed in July) I just hope you find peace that she is not suffering anymore.

Take care of yourself

In · Posted: Sat Nov 10, 2007 3:15 am Post subject: Re: My Mom Died

Kevin-

I'm so deeply sorry for your Mothers Death. She sounds like she was Amazing, and such a strong person. She was driving still, lucheing with friends, Not just staying alive- but living.

She is at peace now and had lived her life to the fullest, and reasonably painfree. Alot of us wish that when the time comes, it is quick and peaceful like that.

Peace be with her.
_________________
Thinking of you Inica

*Administrator*

~Nose Cancer~
~Car Accident- Broken Back, Ribs, Spleen
Sternum~
~Continous Cervical Cancer~

My Story-
http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?t=6731

Smile

9 Lives and still kicking Smile

CancerGenius · Regular Joined: 11 Nov 2007 Posts: 14

Kevin,

It was courageous of you to share that.

My mom is also battling 4th stage cancer and I really appreciate your post.

I will also get my Mom on Oxy rather than Vicodyn.

Thanks and God bless you!

T.

dtac203 · New User Joined: 09 Nov 2007 Posts: 9

Im so sorry for your pain. your story is very similar to my own with my mom. and although she is not here she is in no pain and your family doesnt have to indure seeing her in pain. because more then missing them the true pain is what you had to see them endure. God Bless you and your family
_________________
myangelsinheaven

SassyCat · New User Joined: 27 Oct 2007 Posts: 6 Location: VA

I'm also very sorry for your loss and hope you find peace and comfort.

Soft hugs,
Elaine

Pray4Mom · Regular Joined: 29 Aug 2007 Posts: 48

Kevin, I know there is a chance that you may not even read this post, but I still feel compelled to respond to you. I am so sorry to hear of your Mom's death. I am sure you are feeling quite numb, having lost your Mom who you so loved. May God bless you with strength, love and a strong community around you during this time especially.

My prayers are with you and your family.
_________________
Katherine
California

jazzeroo · Regular Joined: 21 Oct 2006 Posts: 20

wow, reading this braught be to tears i am so sorry. im very empathetic to your situation. im fourteen and i miss my mom dearly as well.
mabye it will make you feel a little bit better to know that theres others who know exactly how you feel.
best wiishes <3

helensgirl · Posted: Wed Jan 02, 2008 7:20 pm Post subject: Re: My Mom Died

Kevin--God bless...I can empathize
_________________
...keeping the faith in n.c.
Helen, my wonderful mom, diagnosed May, 07
fought-stage 4 NSCLC, (adenocarcinoma)
earned her place in Heaven, Dec. 14th, 07

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