Re: Dying of leukemia - any hope?

From: J (meander00_at_privacy.net)
Date: 07/13/04 

Date: Mon, 12 Jul 2004 20:45:35 -0400

Robert wrote:

> My mother was diagnosed with leukemia in September 2002 at the age of 71.
> She had chemo and the leukemia went into remission for 14 months. As I
> understand it, the second chemo made her too sick and the newer drug they
> tried didn't work. The doctor sent her home saying there was nothing more
> he could do. She is not too well, although she can get up and walk around.
> She has to go to the doctor every day. She takes antiboitics and some other
> pills too, I think. My understanding is that further treatment would likely
> kill her so they're just going to try to keep her alive as long as possible
> and as comfortable as possible. She is now 72. Her doctor is very
> distinguished in the field. She is in West Virginia.
>
> Do we have to give up?

Hello Robert, I'm sorry to hear about your mother.
Feel free to join alt.support.cancer if you wish to join a group of cancer
patients (in various stages of illness) and their loved ones or carers.. and
supporters

I think you've answered your own questions. You said that her doctor is very
distinguished in the field and has said there is nothing more to be done.

To quote Mike R "When people embark on intensive treatments there should be some
plan in hand for stopping when it becomes obvious there is nothing to be gained
by carrying on and if there is nothing to be gained then there is much to lose
because chemotherapy can cause harmful side effects.
I think you and your mother should stand back and evaluate where she is going
with further tretment and consider going for quality time at home with good
palliative support. Some counselling may be appropriate at this time.
There are no 'alternatives' or 'supplements' that are going to make her live
longer or better but getting away from hospitals certainly will."

So are you giving up? Yes, on intensive treatments.
Are you giving up on all treatments? No.
If there's pain (or other symptoms), hospice can help with that.
Are you giving up on quality of life? No.

I'm unsure why she is going to the doctor every day but hospice can come to the
home and take care of many needs,
including support for the family. Being experts, they can watch out for her
welfare for as long as she is alive and communicate when it's time to ask for
different medications from the doctor.

I hope you and your mother will think about this.
Also please read Steph's "Questions to Ask" http://tinyurl.com/vh34
Print it up and go through it with the oncologist and your mother, just to
satisfy yourselves that the questions are being answered to your satisfaction.

Perhaps if she can maintain status quo on how she feels, she still has some
"wishes" she wants to fulfill before she passes away. Short travels, visits with
relatives, old school chums and a number of other wishes. I hope you will help
her to do, if she so wishes.

Kindly,
J