bookbabe

I'm sorry, Dave. It hurts to hear such a grim diagnosis.

Palliative care can be very helpful in managing any pain your mom
might have and ensuring that she's comfortable and her needs are met.
Palliative care is also helpful for the family, too (note that by
palliative care I don't mean only care outside the home, but inside, as well).

Your desire is totally understandable, and I hope that it doesn't
conflict with what your mom wants. Hopefully your mom's pain and any
other side effects can be managed with minimal intervention. I'm sure
that you'll give your mom the support she needs as she makes her
decisions.

Hugs to you and your family,

Michele

mike radcliffe

Dave,
At 82 your mother may suffer less from the disease than the treatments. Be
very certain before embarking your mother on a regimen of chemo and / or
radiotherapy and surgery that may give minimal benefits.
MIKE

d drake

Thanks Michelle, and I do fully understand her position and have no
intentions of interferring. I just want to be totally aware of the
progression and what we may face. The time frame is not as important but I
do need to have some awareness, as a brother across country will need to be
notified and advised as to when he should try to visit. I'm 3 hours from
her, my sister is only 30 min. so we will be as close as possible and with
her often. I will hold the medical power of attorney and fully understand
the responsibility.

Mom has mentioned the "Hemlock Society" and I have to research that one....

Dave

d drake

Thanks Mike, I hear what you're saying and agree. It's just that lots of
what I read reguarding pain management and relief deal with surgical and
radiation options and I want to be prepared to understand the risk/reward
status of those. I need to know when to encourage her to undergo treatment
that will be beneficial to her quality of life, not to delay the inevitable.

Dave

bookbabe

Has your mom seen an oncologist, Dave? Oncs can help patients manage
pain. If you're close to a major cancer centre, it should have a pain
mgt. doc and a nutritionist on staff. If your mom's cancer isn't
treatable, they should be able to take a palliative approach your mom.

Hospice can be a wonderful resource, too. Michele

d drake

Not yet as we're waiting to have the consultation with her primary care
physician. After that visit I hope to have more info as to the extent (
stage ) and possible referral to oncologist. Duke is 5 hours by car and I
don't know that I want a doc that far away, unless it's a "normal" thing.


palliative approach your mom.
That may be a moot point since she doesn't want treatment, just doesn't want
to suffer.


Yea, I think they'll be one of my first contacts after the consultation.

anth

I am sorry about your mother Dave and her diagnosis.
Take care and enjoy what time you have with your mother.
Anth

mike radcliffe

Dave,
There is nothing chemo is going to do for pancreatic cancer so an oncology
review is not going to help.
If she gets under the care of a palliative care specialist (hospice) they
certainly will be able to advise on all useful courses of action.
MIKE

d drake

Again thanks Mike and Anth.... back from a weekend with her and she
continues to hold her own. I have discussed some of the expected effects
with her, and naturally it scares her. I have gathered so much info and have
read hundreds of case histories. I'm still working up questions to ask the
MD on Friday.

Again agressive pain control and treatment are main concerns, along with the
availability of the doc, and our communication with him.... if he's not the
man, then I've a task ahead to find the doc with the right stuff. I'll talk
to hospice after meeting with the MD. Luckily mom has had a CNA as an
occasional helper/driver for the past year. This young lady has agreed to
move into the house and assist us until the end.

Dave

anth

I don't want to give any false hope, you might want to check this out.
http://www.cancer.gov/clinical_trials/doc.aspx?viewid=B7014C36-50A1-4464-B28B-7C5DF89EAA5A
Anth