Family

For the Smith family, there's nothing we love more than to find a reason to get together.  We all met at Glenda's house at the end of July for Dad's 88th birthday.  Mom wasn't feeling well that day and slept the whole day.  She was very disappointed that she missed everything.  So, Glenda decided to have another family party this month to celebrate all the August birthdays!  Everyone was able to attend except Nicole, Matt and Mia.  We had a great day, despite their absence.  I will have some photos to share soon!

As I mentioned to you, Glenda took Mom to see an oncologist last week.  I thought you might want to read her efficient synopsis...
 

*Confirmed that he sees a spot on her lungs and in her pancreas which most likely are tumors.  Made a point to say that without a biopsy he can’t know for sure whether it is cancer of lung, pancreas or “unknown primary”.  Tumors are most likely irritating the pleura sac around the lung and that causes it to “weep” which is the fluid.  *The cancer is potentially treatable but is not curable (in his opinion) – it might shrink with treatment but won’t go away.  It is likely there are other cancer spots which are not showing up on the scans simply because the scan is not sensitive enough.  He would expect chemo to prolong her life by months, not by years. 

*Re chemo – for most people 86 years young he would recommend against chemo.  But since he feels Mother is exceptional (brightness in her eyes, intellect, ability to communicate) – he would say okay if she wanted to try it – but she needs to know it would likely make her very sick – weakness, nausea, vomiting, infection.  So doesn’t recommend but wouldn’t withhold if that were her desire.  (it’s not)    

*She should continue taking morphine before bed to help her sleep – she will not become addicted or develop tolerance.  At some point we can switch her to long-acting morphine rather than the as-needed morphine that she is using now.  Also when she reaches pain level 5 or 6 we should consider nerve blocks which can be administered one or more times and will block the pain.  This procedure is administered by Seton Hospital – when she is ready we should call Bobbye the nurse at his office and she can arrange.  Also feel free to call Bobbye if we have any questions.   

*Mother asked the time question.  He said average 6 months for pancreatic cancer and 8 months for lung and no more than one year for the unknown primary.  Back pain is typical of pancreatic cancer.  Also that is most likely since she never was a smoker.   

*Drinking wine is just fine. 

*I asked if there is anything else we should expect – he said increasing pain and also possibly jaundice.  Pancreatic tumors can grow to block the bowel duct and if this happens, they will need to do an endoscopy and put in a stint.  He said this is most likely when the tumor is in the head of the pancreas and least like when it is in the tail of the pancreas.  Hers is in the body of the pancreas meaning her risk is in the middle.  I am sure the hospice nurses know to watch for this.  

*Constipation is number one issue with morphine.  She needs to take as much mirolax etc as necessary to prevent constipation.  Number two issue is drowsiness.  So she’s having both. 

*He encouraged her to use her walker saying her quality of life would deteriorate significantly if she were to fall again and fracture something. 

Hopefully, Glenda's great notes will answer most of the questions you might have. I will try to keep you updated.  

Love to all, Sandi

Psalm 27:4-5
One thing I ask of the LORD,
this is what I seek:
that I may dwell in the house of the LORD
all the days of my life,
to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD
and to seek him in his temple.
For in the day of trouble
he will keep me safe in his dwelling;
he will hide me in the shelter of his tabernacle
and set me high upon a rock.