dying from cancer - what should we expect?

jms · New User Joined: 30 Aug 2006 Posts: 1

A close family relation (59) was diagnosed with breast cancer about 6 years ago. All was fine until last October when she discovered that her cancer had returned in the secondary form. She now has it in her lungs, liver, bones, kidney and her other breast. In January she was admitted into hospital because the chemotherapy dose she was given was too strong for her to cope with - it knocked her for six but she got through.

She told us in February that the doctors decided to give her a break from the chemotherapy and in April, took her off the treatment because the cancer in her liver had reduced by 8cm.

Now - in August - she has been admitted to hospital with severe stomach pains. The doctor has told her he thinks either the cancer has spread or she has another tumour on top of a tumour. She is also slightly jaundiced. She said the doctors are not worried about the jaundice and are also not giving her any more chemo. She is on morphine for the pain and back home after only a few days.

Confused

Although she is not saying, we know she is probably terminally ill. The hospice nurses are visiting once or twice a week. My husband is past himself wondering how long left and what is to come.

Has anyone else been in this position - I know life prognosis is difficult but it would be great to have some idea of time, what will happen to her and how we can help and make her comfortable.

please help.[/u]

melissasd50 · Regular Joined: 07 Nov 2005 Posts: 21

I am so sorry to hear what you & your husband are going through. I lost my husband 6 years ago to cancer. He was diagnosed in May of ‘99, and died, June 2000. He was 44. His cancer was esophageal that matastized to his liver. Although the chemo and rads killed the original tumor, it was the cancer in the liver that killed him.

Similar to your relative, my husband was treated with high doses of chemo and had rads. He, too, took a break in Jan. Of’00, but had more aggressive chemo in Apr. ‘00. He almost died from that, as well. His Dr even tried rads on the liver which made him very ill.

In June, he was home with hospice coming in every day for a week. I think he lasted about 10 days. He was very jaundiced at the end, but that was the liver.

My suggestion to you would be to talk with Hospice. They will give you the signs to look for - the extremities becoming cold, etc. My husband was really out of it for about 5 days (I’d find him in the bathroom, crouched on the tub, cleaning the cabinet below the sink - he had always been kind of a neat freak, but...). He went into a coma about 2 days before he died, although interestingly enough, he “woke” briefly about 6 hours before he died, when our daughters (aged 16 & 10) came in to kiss him goodbye, and told them he loved them.

He went peacefully (with the help of morphine), but happily with his family all around him. I am glad he could be at home. It was what he wanted.

My heart goes out to you. It is a very difficult time, and i would be happy to share any thoughts or concerns with you. You may email me at snwdiva@yahoo.com. melissa~
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m~

budwig reader · Regular Joined: 08 Oct 2006 Posts: 13

Hi
This may sound really unbelievable, but I know a natural cure for most cancer: Lindseed or flaxseed oil mixed very well with cottage cheese or yogurt.
It is the work of Germany's best biologist, Johanna Budwig, who lived to be 95 years old. If you would like to read about this to give your loved one a chance at a longer life on this earth, please type in "Budwig" into Google, and read about it. Start him/her on this diet that Budwig reccomends, and they will most likely live. Please try this. It could be the difference between life and death.
Thank you

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