Mom is getting weeker by the day which I realize is part of this disese/treatment. However, she has fell several times and hurt herself. I reported this a couple times and a test (some kind of ultrasound thing) was done on the neck area last Thur. to see if lymp nodes are pushing on an artery. No result yet.

I have been staying with her during the week and went back to work on weekends. However, due to my stress level and my stepdad (78) having a granddaughter getting married this weekend, I brought her home with me to assure she was looked after and fed etc.

About 12:30am, I woke to a loud thump. She can barely speak at all so I ran to the living room to find her laying on the floor. Her head had hit an endtable by the wall and put a little gash by the ear area. HAS ANYONE ever had this balance problem during treatment???? I'm SO scared. I just don't know what to do! Any suggestions?

Thanks, Dee

Hi Dee,

So sorry about your Mom. I was weak, but did not have balance problems or pass out. I think your Mothers blood counts are very low. She may need Procit. I suggest a blood test ASAP.

Steve

Depending on what pain meds she is on that can also cause weakness and instability... my MIL was on the duragesic patch for a time and though it worked tremendously for a while, eventually she started getting more and more unstable and had several falls. Took her off of it and within a few days she was much more stable. Does she use a walker for support? That can also help to provide support when they are less stable.

Heidi

Pete did suffer from vertigo while undergoing treatment, and still suffers from it on occasion.
She is obviously very weak, see if you can get a commode for her to use at night. It will save her having to traipse to the bathroom.
Hang in there and try not to panic, Steve`s suggestion is one you should consider.
Take Care
Marica


M

Marica, I'm so glad you mentioned that your husband still suffers from vertigo on occasion and after treatment. I realize that I'm only months out from treatment, but it does scare me sometimes that I will get light headed and need to either sit or lie down. I have never fainted before until just a few months ago after choking on a piece of prime rib. My doctors didn't seem too alarmed about this, but it's hella scary sometimes being in a public place and passing out in a public bathroom after choking on a piece of beef.

I'm pretty much off pain meds, so I'm beginning to think these momentary lapses of lightheadedness are due to not having enough poundage on my scrawny body yet.

Dee, here's hoping your mother's doctors have some answers for you. Speaking only as a patient who has recently had some "passing out" issues, it's hugely embarrassing to collapse. These days when I see four year olds running thru the clothing racks of a store, I have to brace myself in hopes that they do not run into me and knock me over.

Jen

I got lightheaded and dizzy a lot in the late and early post Tx phase. There were several times that I collapsed when getting out of bed or just standing up after sitting. I got down to 109 lbs. and was pretty beat which is typical of this harsh a treatment. It eventually passed and I put half of the weight back on.

Dee, I passed out in church when I stood up for a hymn. It was late in my radiation treatment cycle. In my case it was low blood sugar. One can of ensure and I was OK. Fairly embarrassing to have that many people looking at you.

Even now I get up more slowly to avoid the "head rush".

Hello sr, I have moved your post to the "introduce yourself" forum so that it is easier for people to find you. I also moved Dee's reply there for you. Mark

Hi my mum is 41 and recently had a gruelling 14 hour operation to remove a tumour at the base of her tongue. More importantly she had a trachea fitted that caused no end of grief. Mum has had a peg fitted since the beginning of her operation. She has been home for a week and a half. Although she can swallow and eat soup! she may never eat solid food again. We are now about to embark on radiotherapy which is causing nightmares for us all. After a consultation today they said she will not be able to swallow for 12 weeks is this true !. What are the cruel harsh side effects of radiotherapy. Any one who has been through it would love some advice
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hello just wondering can anyone explain the stages of this awful disease found out mum was Cat 2 just going through radiotherapy at mo.
sarah XXXXXXXXX

Dee --

Cisplatin can cause inner ear problem (affecting balance) and less commonly, peripheral neuropathy which can cause problems "feeling" where your feet (or hands) are. You should ask your doctors to assess your mom's balance and also whether she has any neuropathy.

Sometimes these things resolve, sometimes they do not -- or take quite a while. In the meantime she must be very careful walking and you need to arrange your home so that there isn't much she can trip over (like scatter rugs, coffee tables, etc.) I had to do this for my mom when she was most sick from her leukemia, and she still fell a few times due to weakness and effects of her chemotherapy.

Gail