evilwomanhehe
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Hope your Mom is doing better, Mitch. You are in my thoughts.
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Taking A Turn For The Worst..
- Thread starter Mitchell
- Start date
One of the side effects my mother had during her affliction with cancer was what she referred to as "chemo brain," which was a slight drop in her mental faculties, particularly memory. Considering what chemo does to the body, I'm not at all surprised at this sort of side effect. If the Prednisone is contributing to it, then these two factors would probably escalate it to the state you currently see.
Another possible factor is vitamin deficiency. She's likely lost a SHITTON of nutrients due to the furnace of cancer cell-production and vitamin deficiencies can cause mental problems (e.g. niacin deficiency = pellagra) such as hallucinations.
Brain cancer showing up this quick would indicate a metastases that would destroy her faculties beyond memory: blindness, autonomic systems failure, etc. so this is unlikely. Smaller tumors afflicting her brain are possible, but at those sizes and likelihoods, they'd be far more treatable than the full-on cancer she just dealt with; brain cancer doesn't work the same way as body tissue cancer does on account of how neural cells are largely impervious to cancer (brain cancer is almost always glial cell cancer).
Alzheimers is possible, but again, these symptoms seem almost too sudden unless it accelerated what was already there. If she does have Alzheimers, put her on a nicotine patch (15mg) daily. Studies have shown that it inexplicably increases cognitive impairment by around 43% in test groups.
Also don't forget that the new immunity-based cancer treatments are doing human trials now, so if you can get her into one of those trials, they might be able to help her in a way that doesn't require more radiation.
Another possible factor is vitamin deficiency. She's likely lost a SHITTON of nutrients due to the furnace of cancer cell-production and vitamin deficiencies can cause mental problems (e.g. niacin deficiency = pellagra) such as hallucinations.
Brain cancer showing up this quick would indicate a metastases that would destroy her faculties beyond memory: blindness, autonomic systems failure, etc. so this is unlikely. Smaller tumors afflicting her brain are possible, but at those sizes and likelihoods, they'd be far more treatable than the full-on cancer she just dealt with; brain cancer doesn't work the same way as body tissue cancer does on account of how neural cells are largely impervious to cancer (brain cancer is almost always glial cell cancer).
Alzheimers is possible, but again, these symptoms seem almost too sudden unless it accelerated what was already there. If she does have Alzheimers, put her on a nicotine patch (15mg) daily. Studies have shown that it inexplicably increases cognitive impairment by around 43% in test groups.
Also don't forget that the new immunity-based cancer treatments are doing human trials now, so if you can get her into one of those trials, they might be able to help her in a way that doesn't require more radiation.
Thanks for the analysis, Amn. I dont know what she has, because she wont allow me to take her to the Dr to find out.
I'm going to honor her wishes for another couple of days, and then something is going to have to be done. I feel like I'm getting sick with a cold myself, from stress. As much as I hate to say it, it might not be the worst thing in the world if my mom caught it, and they were forced to hospitalize her, to finally get to the bottom of this. I'm hoping she decides to go on her own.
Mitch
I'm going to honor her wishes for another couple of days, and then something is going to have to be done. I feel like I'm getting sick with a cold myself, from stress. As much as I hate to say it, it might not be the worst thing in the world if my mom caught it, and they were forced to hospitalize her, to finally get to the bottom of this. I'm hoping she decides to go on her own.
Mitch
Prednisone. Ick. Nasty shit. Not that it might not be necessary. (Some much less heavy-duty antidepressants can do a pretty bad number on your mind and your body too).
You and your mom have my sympathies. I hope she's off that nasty shit as soon as possible.
You and your mom have my sympathies. I hope she's off that nasty shit as soon as possible.
Thanks, and if I didnt have enough problems, another one developed last night.
I have a cold. Normally I'm a very healthy person, but it might be a combination of the weather, not sleeping, and aggravation.
For me, I'll rest, take Non Asprin, and be okay in a few days. For my mom, this is serious business, because if she catches it, she will be in the hospital for days. Last time she caught a cold from me, it developed into Asthma.
Now, I wait.. She's been sleeping much of the last 18 hours, and isnt even talking to me. Fine. Let her get her rest. I need mine as well.
Mitch
I have a cold. Normally I'm a very healthy person, but it might be a combination of the weather, not sleeping, and aggravation.
For me, I'll rest, take Non Asprin, and be okay in a few days. For my mom, this is serious business, because if she catches it, she will be in the hospital for days. Last time she caught a cold from me, it developed into Asthma.
Now, I wait.. She's been sleeping much of the last 18 hours, and isnt even talking to me. Fine. Let her get her rest. I need mine as well.
Mitch
I feel vindicated.
My mom is still pulling her shit. Withdrawn, angry, sleeping all the time, saying weird things.. so. even though she ordered me not to.. I emailed her chemo Dr this morning, and told him all of her behavior. His reply was terse, and forceful. He told me that she needs to see both him, and the radiation Dr, and get the body scan done, period. I thanked him for his advice, and told my mom that I'm giving her until tomorrow morning to call for the body scan, and the Drs offices, or I'm going to do it for her, if I have to physically drag her up there.
I'm glad that the Dr is on my side. He's given me justification to deal with her now. I have no idea what the hell is wrong with her, but I'm sure as hell going to get to the bottom of it.
Thats the update. I will post further ones if needed.
Mitch
My mom is still pulling her shit. Withdrawn, angry, sleeping all the time, saying weird things.. so. even though she ordered me not to.. I emailed her chemo Dr this morning, and told him all of her behavior. His reply was terse, and forceful. He told me that she needs to see both him, and the radiation Dr, and get the body scan done, period. I thanked him for his advice, and told my mom that I'm giving her until tomorrow morning to call for the body scan, and the Drs offices, or I'm going to do it for her, if I have to physically drag her up there.
I'm glad that the Dr is on my side. He's given me justification to deal with her now. I have no idea what the hell is wrong with her, but I'm sure as hell going to get to the bottom of it.
Thats the update. I will post further ones if needed.
Mitch
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Mitch,
Just a quick note, as always you & your mother are in my thoughts & prayers -
She's very lucky to have you looking out for her,
that behavior certainly seems odd, 
I hope you can get her to the doctors easily tomorrow, that they can get her back to herself and clear this up
Just a quick note, as always you & your mother are in my thoughts & prayers -
She's very lucky to have you looking out for her,
that behavior certainly seems odd, I hope you can get her to the doctors easily tomorrow, that they can get her back to herself and clear this up
Thanks, Babbles. I made progress tonight.
Over dinner she was fairly clear headed. I appealed to her in an emotional way, just how much I, Dr B, and Dr C, all care about her, and how much we've all been through together. I told her that it is imperative that we get this scan.. So.. she vouluntarially handed me the number of the Petscan dept,(Which I could have gotten off the internet anyway), and told me to call tomorrow. Believe me, I will be calling, even if she wakes up fuzzy, and tells me not to. I will be calling the Petscan dept at Dover Hospital in NJ, and Dr B, and Dr C's offices, at 9am tomorrow. This needs to get done!
Sigh! What a week this has been. I'm hoping this is all just a huge scare, and the Petscan shows up clear..
Mitch
Over dinner she was fairly clear headed. I appealed to her in an emotional way, just how much I, Dr B, and Dr C, all care about her, and how much we've all been through together. I told her that it is imperative that we get this scan.. So.. she vouluntarially handed me the number of the Petscan dept,(Which I could have gotten off the internet anyway), and told me to call tomorrow. Believe me, I will be calling, even if she wakes up fuzzy, and tells me not to. I will be calling the Petscan dept at Dover Hospital in NJ, and Dr B, and Dr C's offices, at 9am tomorrow. This needs to get done!
Sigh! What a week this has been. I'm hoping this is all just a huge scare, and the Petscan shows up clear..
Mitch
Well, I took care of the appointments. The body scan is this Tuesday. One of the doctors is not available to see us for a follow up, but the other one will be. We made the follow up appointment with one doctor, for Friday the 17th. Hopefully God willing the scan will come back okay.
Mitch
Mitch
paracarl44
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I hope that thing work out for the best.
kcantankerous
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I was just looking up her symptoms online. Her memory keeps fading in and out. Sometimes shes clear as a bell. Tonight I'll ask her questions, and she';ll say things like "I dont know". She knows who I am, and who her doctors are, but is very fuzzy otherwise.
I looked up the symptoms of "mild stroke"., A key thing said that a person may have no other symptoms like paralysis or such, but that sudden memory loss is a key symptom of a mild stroke. For someone who was clear as a bell until last week, and now is fuzzy, there has to be some explanation.
I'm hoping and praying its not cancer thats heaven forbid returned and spread to the brain. That would be the worst case scenario. Mild stroke, while not good, she could live with, as she can still walk, talk, and still knows whats going on, to an extent..
Sigh! Eight and a half days. I'll have to last. Each minute brings a new twist to this.
Mitch
I looked up the symptoms of "mild stroke"., A key thing said that a person may have no other symptoms like paralysis or such, but that sudden memory loss is a key symptom of a mild stroke. For someone who was clear as a bell until last week, and now is fuzzy, there has to be some explanation.
I'm hoping and praying its not cancer thats heaven forbid returned and spread to the brain. That would be the worst case scenario. Mild stroke, while not good, she could live with, as she can still walk, talk, and still knows whats going on, to an extent..
Sigh! Eight and a half days. I'll have to last. Each minute brings a new twist to this.
Mitch
Hope you have good news soon!!
I don't know anything about this but what Amnesiac mentioned about "chemo brain" & vitamin deficiency sound likely, I hope the doctors can balance your mother chemically (naturally would be better) ASAP!!
I don't know anything about this but what Amnesiac mentioned about "chemo brain" & vitamin deficiency sound likely, I hope the doctors can balance your mother chemically (naturally would be better) ASAP!!
Thanks, Babbles. Amn might have a point about chemo brain. The thing that scares me, is that her last chemo session was almost seven months ago, so it isnt like this happened right after.
My mom said her idea that she might have had a mild stroke with extreme calmness, almost like she thinks that would be "lesser of two evil news", considering God Forbid the alternative. She sleeps much of the time, so it isnt like I spend that much time with her. I do my work, talk to friends on the phone, and online, and watch TV, and On Demand movies. She and I sometimes eat meals together. I try to make sure she has her Ensure for breakfast, and has dinner with me. To me, she looks like she lost weight, but she hasnt been weighed since Dec, so I dont know.
I'll just have to be patient.
Thanks again, Babbles.
Mitch
My mom said her idea that she might have had a mild stroke with extreme calmness, almost like she thinks that would be "lesser of two evil news", considering God Forbid the alternative. She sleeps much of the time, so it isnt like I spend that much time with her. I do my work, talk to friends on the phone, and online, and watch TV, and On Demand movies. She and I sometimes eat meals together. I try to make sure she has her Ensure for breakfast, and has dinner with me. To me, she looks like she lost weight, but she hasnt been weighed since Dec, so I dont know.
I'll just have to be patient.
Thanks again, Babbles.
Mitch
Angel_2
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I'm not sure I see a connection between the memory loss and god forbid the cancer coming back. It could be the med's she is taking that could be causing the side effects like memory loss and such. Could maybe reducing the amount of med's she is taking now do anything to stop her memory loss?
I was online looking up symptoms that could show if she had a stroke and here are a few as listed
Sudden numbness or weakness in the face, arms, or legs, especially on one side of the body
Sudden trouble speaking or understanding
Confusion
Sudden vision problems in one or both eyes
Dizziness, loss of balance, or sudden trouble walking
Severe headache with no obvious cause
I know you've said your mom has confusion and is in and out with some good days and some bad days were she can't remember simple things.
I found an act you could try called FAST
In an effort to educate the public about stroke symptoms, the National Stroke Association launched the "Act F.A.S.T." campaign early last year.
Act F.A.S.T. stands for:
Face. Ask the person to smile. Does one side of the face droop?
Arms. Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward?
Speech. Ask the person to repeat a simple sentence. Does he or she have trouble or are the words slurred?
Time. Time is critical. Call 911 immediately.
I hope this helps and I hope your mom gets better.
I was online looking up symptoms that could show if she had a stroke and here are a few as listed
Sudden numbness or weakness in the face, arms, or legs, especially on one side of the body
Sudden trouble speaking or understanding
Confusion
Sudden vision problems in one or both eyes
Dizziness, loss of balance, or sudden trouble walking
Severe headache with no obvious cause
I know you've said your mom has confusion and is in and out with some good days and some bad days were she can't remember simple things.
I found an act you could try called FAST
In an effort to educate the public about stroke symptoms, the National Stroke Association launched the "Act F.A.S.T." campaign early last year.
Act F.A.S.T. stands for:
Face. Ask the person to smile. Does one side of the face droop?
Arms. Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward?
Speech. Ask the person to repeat a simple sentence. Does he or she have trouble or are the words slurred?
Time. Time is critical. Call 911 immediately.
I hope this helps and I hope your mom gets better.
Thanks, Angel. Of the ones you mentioned, she doesnt have any of them except the sudden memory loss. She has no speech problems, or paralysis. She just has this sudden confusion, and cant remember anything.
I've slept an average of 3 hours a night since this happened. I havent called her sisters at her request. I cant or write to my father, as he would positively gloat. He's just waiting for her to die, so he can get her alimony check back. My real ,life friends know, a few people in town who we see every day, and the forum people.
Mitch
I've slept an average of 3 hours a night since this happened. I havent called her sisters at her request. I cant or write to my father, as he would positively gloat. He's just waiting for her to die, so he can get her alimony check back. My real ,life friends know, a few people in town who we see every day, and the forum people.
Mitch
Boy, do I know what that's like. (Especially today)
You've been through an emotional hot wash and spin cycle. (Virtual hug) I feel like crying as I write this. No one should have to go through this kind of thing, least of all someone like you.
Crossing my fingers for your mom (feeling like giving the finger to your unfeeling dad).
Thanks kop. I appreciate the good wishes, my friend.
I realize that many people who are my age have to deal with elderly parents and illnesses. There are two differences here. One, the whole living away from home for three months this summer, to get my mom what we hoped was the best treatment. Two, they always say in any situation like this, the caregiver needs someone to help them out. I have my TMF friends, and my real life friends. Besides that, no one in my family gives a shit.
Simply put, I want to kick the crap out of my father. The man lied to be of how much he missed me and loves me, after we were apart for six years. I called him from the hospital, crying hysterically when my mom was diagnosed. He bailed on me when she had cancer, and I still dont know why. I hope my mom comes through this, but heaven help me if she God forbid doesnt, he gets her alimony check back. He's done a lot of damage to me, as I've posted, and I'm going to go after him for money, if I have to drag the Son of a Bitch through every court in this country to do it.
My aunts are just using losers. The bottom line with them is that they dont call, because my mom and I cant give them money anymore. If I was rich, and could support them every month, they'd be here, hands out.
The days count down. Hopefully, we can find out what this is, and do something to help my mom.
Mitch
I realize that many people who are my age have to deal with elderly parents and illnesses. There are two differences here. One, the whole living away from home for three months this summer, to get my mom what we hoped was the best treatment. Two, they always say in any situation like this, the caregiver needs someone to help them out. I have my TMF friends, and my real life friends. Besides that, no one in my family gives a shit.
Simply put, I want to kick the crap out of my father. The man lied to be of how much he missed me and loves me, after we were apart for six years. I called him from the hospital, crying hysterically when my mom was diagnosed. He bailed on me when she had cancer, and I still dont know why. I hope my mom comes through this, but heaven help me if she God forbid doesnt, he gets her alimony check back. He's done a lot of damage to me, as I've posted, and I'm going to go after him for money, if I have to drag the Son of a Bitch through every court in this country to do it.
My aunts are just using losers. The bottom line with them is that they dont call, because my mom and I cant give them money anymore. If I was rich, and could support them every month, they'd be here, hands out.
The days count down. Hopefully, we can find out what this is, and do something to help my mom.
Mitch
kcantankerous
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Well your father is irrelevant then. That would put him in my dead to me category. Sorry, but that is how I feel at the moment reading this. As always best of luck to you and your mom.
Thanks,
K
k, I understand. You're right. His only usefulness is that he has to support my mom every month. Besides that, he can go to hell.
All I care about is to find out what this is, and to help my mom get better, and in any way I can. My family can go jump off a cliff for all I care.
Mitch
All I care about is to find out what this is, and to help my mom get better, and in any way I can. My family can go jump off a cliff for all I care.
Mitch
Two other points I want to make:
I'm one who believes that family should stand up for each other in times of crisis. I always have.
I dont think I would be as enraged with my father as I am, if, say, we had been estranged when my mom was diagnosed. The fact that we were together, after so many years, and I confided in him, and then he trashed me, is what makes him so low.
Same with my aunts: While its true they live far away, and dont drive, the fact that we were so helpful to them, and then they just bailed on their sick sister and nephew, makes them scum. They should have been here even if I had never given them a cent,. but the fact that they saw no issue with taking tons of money from us, and then bailing when their sister had cancer, shows they have no character. Had this been a reverse situation, God Forbid, even if I couldnt help with money, I would definitely have gone to visit them, or called. My mom has repeatedly requested that I not call either one of them, because she feels they dont care. I'm honoring her wishes, even though I want to call them and light into them for their behavior., If God Forbid something happens to my mom, I'm finished with both of them, forever.
I'll have to just lean on the people i do have, and hopefully, God willing, this is just a setback/scare, and my mom will get better.
Mitch
I'm one who believes that family should stand up for each other in times of crisis. I always have.
I dont think I would be as enraged with my father as I am, if, say, we had been estranged when my mom was diagnosed. The fact that we were together, after so many years, and I confided in him, and then he trashed me, is what makes him so low.
Same with my aunts: While its true they live far away, and dont drive, the fact that we were so helpful to them, and then they just bailed on their sick sister and nephew, makes them scum. They should have been here even if I had never given them a cent,. but the fact that they saw no issue with taking tons of money from us, and then bailing when their sister had cancer, shows they have no character. Had this been a reverse situation, God Forbid, even if I couldnt help with money, I would definitely have gone to visit them, or called. My mom has repeatedly requested that I not call either one of them, because she feels they dont care. I'm honoring her wishes, even though I want to call them and light into them for their behavior., If God Forbid something happens to my mom, I'm finished with both of them, forever.
I'll have to just lean on the people i do have, and hopefully, God willing, this is just a setback/scare, and my mom will get better.
Mitch
The bottom line came out this morning:
My mom told me that she wants to die. I've been a rock, but I lost it and started bawling when she said that. Of course, if she's going to suffer, I want God to take her gently. I'll mourn, and have to push on.
I'm getting more terrified by the day. Her forgetfulness and anger is intensifying. She cant tell me simple thing.
My true feeling: She either had a stroke, has brain cancer, or Altzheimers. I have to be realistic. I'm not expecting good things.
I will post any updates. Thanks again for the support. It means more than words can express.
Mitch
My mom told me that she wants to die. I've been a rock, but I lost it and started bawling when she said that. Of course, if she's going to suffer, I want God to take her gently. I'll mourn, and have to push on.
I'm getting more terrified by the day. Her forgetfulness and anger is intensifying. She cant tell me simple thing.
My true feeling: She either had a stroke, has brain cancer, or Altzheimers. I have to be realistic. I'm not expecting good things.
I will post any updates. Thanks again for the support. It means more than words can express.
Mitch
