Heidi, thank you for sharing that. You did exactly what was being asked, provided first-hand experiential knowledge as a caregiver. It takes a lot of strength to be able to succinctly and rationally portray what you lived through.

My mother had an aortic rupture as her metastatic ovarian cancer ate through the esophagus and then aorta. While it was expected, the medical team had not explained what would happen. It was quick, but the surprise element was very difficult.

While it may not be the easiest thing, gaining insight and being somewhat prepared is invaluable.

SCC Stage IV, BOT, T2N2bM0
Cisplatin/5FU x 3, 40 days radiation
Diagnosis 07/21/03 tx completed 10/08/03
Post Radiation Lower Motor Neuron Syndrome 3/08.
Cervical Spinal Stenosis 01/11
Cervical Myelitis 09/12
Thoracic Paraplegia 10/12
Dysautonomia 11/12
Hospice care 09/12-01/13.
COPD 01/14
Intermittent CHF 6/15
Feeding tube NPO 03/16
VFI 12/2016
ORN 12/2017
Cardiac Event 06/2018
Bilateral VFI 01/2021
Thoracotomy Bilobectomy 01/2022
Bilateral VFI 05/2022
Total Laryngectomy 01/2023