The chemotherapy treatments Mother had from January through March apparently worked. Her breast cancer went into remission and never became active again. We believe that her dementia began in slow, small ways when the chemo began. Daddy tried to tell us that Mother wasn’t ‘thinking right’. We did see small signs. She have me the wrong directions to the post office, for example. It was the broken ribs, and the medications that brought her dementia into full bloom, however.Daddy’s first round of chemo did some good. It actually shrank the cancer. We were thrilled. We told everyone. When you are in the midst of this type of crisis, you take any good news, no matter how small, and share it with everyone. It is cause for celebration. Of course it was 2 days after the completion of his first chemo treatment that he had the first stroke.
The second round of chemotherapy was devastating. He quickly developed blisters in his mouth and down his esophagus making eating, drinking, and even talking painful. There was medication which kept his mouth and throat somewhat soothed. His white count fell to almost nothing. The doctors think he must have had another stroke because he was almost comatose for 3 or 4 days. The day he came out of this coma is a story that I will tell in another post.
The tests after this chemo showed that this treatment did not shrink the cancer at all. Daddy went to the gates of h.e.l.l. and back and it accomplished nothing. We were all disappointed. Reality began to set in. Daddy was going to die and nothing was going to stop it.
Chemotherapy is a necessary treatment if a person want to battle their cancer. However, chemotherapy comes with its own battles. Sometimes it is worth it, Sometimes it isn’t. Each person has to make their own decision. At the time it crossed my mind that “Not me, I would never have chemo. I was not going through that. No way.” Those were just fleeting thoughts, however. You see, I could not truly make that decision. I wasn’t at that bridge. If I ever come to that bridge, that cancer bridge for myself, I believe I will know then what kind of decision to make.
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my husband had his second chemo treatment last thursday and it looked as though he had a mini stroke. I have since been told this is not uncommon and would like to know if anyone has any tips you can pass on. He has the third treatment Oct.16th and I would like t know what to look for or anything you may be able to suggest if this happens again
Comment by teresa west — September 27, 2008 @ 3:41 pm |
My uncle had been diagnosed with colon cancer not too long ago. He opted to stay as far away from Chemo as possible and only take some natural remedies. The docs came back and urged him to do Chemo. Finally last week he began chemo. He had a stroke last saturday and was taken into the ICU. Sunday he had a second stroke. Throughout the week things only got worse. He had to be placed on dyalisis and sadly my uncle passed away this morning. I believe he would have lived longer without it. I love you uncle, you were strong and brave and I will always carry you in my heart.
Comment by SC — September 9, 2010 @ 9:50 am |
My mom is thinking about chemo. The problem is that she is 80 and is sinking deeper into dementia. She moved up from New Orleans and became depressed. In one year she had signs of dementia. The move was too much for her. We can see how far she has gone downhill when we moved her from one apartment to another, six months ago. Her dementia comes in the form of paranoid delusions. It is like the line between reality and dreaming is gone for her. She goes in and out of this dream world. She has no memory and has no clue where she is. She does still recognize and trust her family. That is the only way we can bring her back from her delusions. After her cancer surgery, the staff had to tie her to the hospital bed because she believed she was being kidnapped. I am terrified that chemo might save her life, but leave her in a world filled with fear and confusion. She is a believer and is ready to go be with the Lord. I think I just might advise her to go home, where she is safe.
Comment by Neil Jeansonne — April 12, 2009 @ 10:18 pm |
my girl friend has been going through chemo for 4 yrs. now.Lately i have noticed tremendous mood swings, happy,loving to aggressive, nasty. Has anyone else noticed similar behaviour? It has wrecked our relationship completely. Is this part of chemo brain or something more sinister ?
Comment by g. m. — April 3, 2010 @ 9:37 am |