| Joined: Mar 2009 Posts: 48 Contributing Member (25+ posts) | OP Contributing Member (25+ posts) Joined: Mar 2009 Posts: 48 | So I have posted a few times, each time hoping that it would be the last, that my Mom would miraculously be cured of this wretched disease. However I could not have been more wrong.
Thursday my younger sister went to see my Mom and found her unresponsive. After 20 minutes of not being able to rouse her, she called 911. She was taken to the hospital where we were told that her liver and kidneys were not functioning properly. She was admitted into the ICU and was monitored overnight.
I spoke with her MO this morning. She was scheduled to see her to get the results of her bone scan from last week. I told her that not only would she not be in to see her today but that she was admitted into the hospital last night. She gave me results of the bone scan...DEVASTATING!!! The cancer has spread to her skull, sternum, ribs, pelvis, and legs-just to name a few. She stated that the best course of action at this point would be to sart hospice. Total punch to the gut! She told me that my Mom was terminal in January-I didnt know that. She said people just dont live with this type of cancer. She said that it would be a matter of days because her body was starting to shut down.
I have such a wonderful family and a great support group, I just felt the need to post. You all know the struggles that my Mother has been through and this site has been such a crutch through this entire process!
Colleen
26 Mom 48 diagnosed Sep 08 Stage IV SCC full glossectomy, neck dissection traech and peg Nov 08 35 radiation treatments and 3 chemo Mar 09 mets to lungs Started Erbitux 3/09/09 06/26/09 mets to rib Stopped Erbitux 6/26/09 Start erbitux/taxol 7/06/09 Started Hospice 7/24/09 Passed away 8/09/09
| | | | Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 1,357 Likes: 5 "OCF Canuck" Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) | "OCF Canuck" Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 1,357 Likes: 5 | My heart goes out to you Colleen. Please feel free to lean on us when you need to - we are here for you. Spend as much time with your Mom as you can. Even if she appears to be unconscious, she can likely hear you.
We are very proud of you that you have been able to put your own fears aside and be there for your Mom.
Donna
Donna,69, SCC L Tongue T2N1MO Stg IV 4/04 w/partial gloss;32 radtx; T2N2M0 Stg IV; R tongue-2nd partial gloss w/graft 10/07; 30 radtx/2 cispl 2/08. 3rd Oral Cancer surgery 1/22 - Stage 1. 2022 surgery eliminated swallowing and bottom left jaw. Now a “Tubie for Life”.no food envy - Thank God! Surviving isn't easy!!!! .Proudly Canadian - YES, UNIVERSAL HEALTH CARE IS WONDERFUL! (Not perfect but definitely WONDERFUL)
| | | | Joined: Oct 2007 Posts: 104 Senior Member (100+ posts) | Senior Member (100+ posts) Joined: Oct 2007 Posts: 104 | Colleen I am so sorry to hear of the decline in your Mom's condition. I trust that Hospice will be able to provide good symptom control for your Mom and supportive care for you and the rest of your family. May you all find the strength and courage to face each day.
Caregiver to husband Dx. Stage 4 SCC of gingiva with 3 nodes pos. Partial mandiblectomy with bone graft from iliac crest Dec. 2006. IMRT x30, Cisplatin x3. Completed Tx. March 15, 2007. Osteonecrosis & removal of graft & plate Oct. 2007. Recurrence of SCC Dec. 2007. Deceased Jan. 17, 2008.
| | | | Joined: Jan 2008 Posts: 706 "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) | "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) Joined: Jan 2008 Posts: 706 | Colleen- take my advice and spend the time just BEING with your mom. Don't worry about anything else right now. I'm sending you positive thoughts and strength.
cg to husband, 48 Stage 1V head and neck SCC. First surgery 9/07. Radiation and several rounds of chemo followed. Mets to chest and lungs. "Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass, it's about learning to dance in the rain." Went home to God on February 22, 2009.
| | | | Joined: Aug 2008 Posts: 716 "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) | "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) Joined: Aug 2008 Posts: 716 | Colleen, I am sorry you and your family has to go through this...Be with your mom...and remember usually the last thing a peron looses is their hearing...no matter what talk to your mother...
be brave...
(((hugs)))
7-16-08 age 37@Dx, T3N0M0 SCC 4.778cm tumor, left side of oral tongue, non smoker, casual drinker, I am the 4th in my family to have H&N cancer 8-13-08 left neck dissection and 40% of tongue removed, submandibular salivary gland & 14 nodes clean, no chemo, IMRTx35 11-4-08 Recovering & feeling better | | | | Joined: Aug 2008 Posts: 100 Senior Member (100+ posts) | Senior Member (100+ posts) Joined: Aug 2008 Posts: 100 | Coleen, so sorry to hear what you, your mother and family are going through. You are so right to call this a "wretched" disease, it causes so much suffering for so many. Try to find comfort knowing that many will be sending thoughts and prayers your families way. Although it will be difficult, try to value the time you have remaining with your mother. I am sure in the future you will cherish these memories however painful they may be now.
God bless you and your family.
Tom-CG to wife, Pam 46@dx Stage IV Tongue Cancer T2N2C Dx 6/08, Surgery 7/08, 3 nodes positive 9/08 33IMRT/7Carbo/Taxol 4/09 node biopsy positive, mets to lungs/stomach 5/09 Cisplatin or Cis/Alimta study 6/09 Cis/Taxotere 9/09 Taxotere 1/10 Xeloda 3/10 Cetuximab weekly 6/29/10 lost battle
| | | | Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 10,507 Likes: 7 Administrator, Director of Patient Support Services Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | Administrator, Director of Patient Support Services Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 10,507 Likes: 7 | Colleen, I am so sorry that this is happening to your family. Im at a loss for words. This was quite a shock to read your post. I will keep you and your mother in my prayers. ChristineSCC 6/15/07 L chk & by L molar both Stag I, age44 2x cispltn-35 IMRT end 9/27/07 -65 lbs in 2 mo, no caregvr Clear PET 1/08 4/4/08 recur L chk Stag I surg 4/16/08 clr marg 215 HBO dives 3/09 teeth out, trismus 7/2/09 recur, Stg IV 8/24/09 trach, ND, mandiblctmy 3wks medicly inducd coma 2 mo xtended hospital stay, ICU & burn unit PICC line IV antibx 8 mo 10/4/10, 2/14/11 reconst surg OC 3x in 3 years very happy to be alive | | | | Joined: Dec 2008 Posts: 1,004 Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) | Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) Joined: Dec 2008 Posts: 1,004 | Hi Colleen,
I'm so sorry to hear about your mother. That is devastating news.
Suzanne *********** T1 SCC on right side of tongue Age 31...27 when diagnosed 4 partial glossectomies No chemo or radiation Biopsy on 2/2/10-Clear Surgery needed again...no later than April 2011 Loving life and just became a mother on 11/25/10 It's not what we CAN'T do..it's what we CAN do:)
| | | | Joined: Mar 2009 Posts: 48 Contributing Member (25+ posts) | OP Contributing Member (25+ posts) Joined: Mar 2009 Posts: 48 | It was extremely devasating. The one thing that I have noticed throughout this process is that the doctors may have given up hope in January but my Mom never did. I admire her for her strength and have told her that. I appreciate all of your kind words. It really helps to know that people are thinking of my family and I. Take care everyone!
26 Mom 48 diagnosed Sep 08 Stage IV SCC full glossectomy, neck dissection traech and peg Nov 08 35 radiation treatments and 3 chemo Mar 09 mets to lungs Started Erbitux 3/09/09 06/26/09 mets to rib Stopped Erbitux 6/26/09 Start erbitux/taxol 7/06/09 Started Hospice 7/24/09 Passed away 8/09/09
| | | | Joined: Feb 2009 Posts: 88 Supporting Member (50+ posts) | Supporting Member (50+ posts) Joined: Feb 2009 Posts: 88 | Colleen,
So sorry to hear the news about your mother. Now is the time to spend as much time as you can with her and just love her, sit with her and hold her hand. She knows you're there . My prayers and thoughts are with you, your mom and family. God bless.
Bonnie
CG to daughter Brandy age 31 initial dx 10/06 SCC T4N0M0 with bone invasion upper maxillary Surgery 10/06 CT's clear for 2 years
2nd recurrence - Laser surgery 1/09 dx Tumor board - No surgery to invasive for QOL 35 IMRT 3/30/09 Completed 5/15/09 8 tx Erbitux 3/24/09 Completed 5/6/09
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