We had mom's oncology apt today. It was a bit disappointing [understatement alert]. We really weren't expecting to hear about a new miracle cure for advanced lung cancer, but were hoping to have an option of chemo or something.
Dr Goldberg is VERY concerned about mom's weight loss, which is pretty severe at about 5lbs a week. She has lost 20lbs in the last month. And the past few weeks she has been on the steroid (to shrink the brain tumors) that increases appetite.
He did not feel chemo was an option at this point until we can stabilize her weight. He prescribed a medication that is suppose to stimulate appetite, and we are to see him back in 2 weeks time to re-evaluate. On the way home, we stopped by Publix and I ran in to get her a few things (boost plus with lots of calories, full fat ice cream, cinnamon rolls, etc. - all the things most of us would LOVE to eat, but shouldn't). She is on strict orders (from me) to drink at least 3 Boosts per day and to snack at least every two hours....she had two popsicles at 60 calories a pop in the car on the way home! Her body needs the calories (aka energy) to fight this cancer and she just isn't getting them! We have to rectify that ASAP.
The other concern that no one has brought up to us but makes sense is controlling the brain tumors. Chemo won't treat the brain at all, so we are relying on the radiation that mom had to really be working on those tumors, but it is too early to re-test to see if they are being affected as it takes time to respond...it is a wait and hope situation. If the radiation didn't do the trick on the existing tumors or if more develop, then any chemo treatment would be useless because we would be treating the body cancer while the brain cancer would be wreaking havoc with no other treatment options.
The picture Dr Goldberg painted was bleaker than ever before....of course speaking in statistics alone which there are always people outside the averages, but people with brain tumors (from lung cancer) the quantity and size of the ones that mom had treated usually live no more than 3 months. We REALLY need that miracle now please!
The good news, is that mom is feeling fairly well...fatigued alot, but not in any pain right now at all and in fairly good spirits. She is taking it all so well really. I know it has to be tough, and she is a fighter...I have no doubt she will do whatever it takes to fight as long as she can, but she also has the inner strength to accept this package she has been given and the inner peace to deal with it. Truly amazing.
People still want to do something - I wish I could think of something to ask of you all. I guess the one thing we can ask is that you not take your loved ones for granted...they are here and healthy today and that is all we know (or can hope for) - ESPECIALLY YOUR MOMS - call them....see them...tell them how you feel. Being a mom and daughter myself, I know how much that will mean to both of you. Do it today...and feel happy knowing that you did something for us.
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