What is going to happen to my sister in the final stages of cancer.!
Question: What is going to happen to my sister in the final stages of cancer!.
My 56yr old sister has Ewings Sarcoma!. It is a very aggressive form of cancer and she is in the final stages!. She has been in hospital for the past two weeks and is recieving platelets every day and blood every second day!. Her Hemoglobin is 80 and platelet count-nil!. She has not eaten since 26th July and is vomiting up Bile from her stomach!. She is on slow release IV morphine and sleeps a lot!. What is going to happen and how will we know its nearing the end!. No one seems to give us any answers and medical staff and doctors close ranks!. Can someone somewhere from the medical fraternity answer my question honestly and openly!. She refused to go to palliative care because she prefers the hospital and is scared she is going to bleed to death!. She has had bleeding from the urinary tract, bowel, gums, nose portacath sites!. Please helpWww@Answer-Health@Com
Answers:
Your sister will most likely slip into a coma quite soon (within next week or so), and will rest peacefully, until she passes away!. Given her condition it is quite possible and likely that she may have a large bleed and pass away from that, but if she is currently pain free and sleepy on the morphine, chances are she will not be aware it has happened - which is what should be aimed for!.
She will require mouth care and turns several times a day to keep her from getting bed sores and a dry mouth!. She may become restless while unconscious, this is quite normal and there are many medications that will control this!. Just make sure, that if you feel she is displaying signs of pain SPEAK UP and tell the nurses so they can arrange for an increase in the morphine dose!.
If you are concerned about ANYTHING regarding her comfort or condition - tell the nurses and get it fixed (if possible)!. The families are often the main sources of information about palliative patient's condition - ie pain and restlessness!.
I really hope something in my answer helps you, and i apologise if anything i have said has been blunt or hurt full - I have just tried to be matter of fact!. I feel for you in your situation and i hope that your sister has a wonderful pain free end to her beautiful life!.Www@Answer-Health@Com
She will require mouth care and turns several times a day to keep her from getting bed sores and a dry mouth!. She may become restless while unconscious, this is quite normal and there are many medications that will control this!. Just make sure, that if you feel she is displaying signs of pain SPEAK UP and tell the nurses so they can arrange for an increase in the morphine dose!.
If you are concerned about ANYTHING regarding her comfort or condition - tell the nurses and get it fixed (if possible)!. The families are often the main sources of information about palliative patient's condition - ie pain and restlessness!.
I really hope something in my answer helps you, and i apologise if anything i have said has been blunt or hurt full - I have just tried to be matter of fact!. I feel for you in your situation and i hope that your sister has a wonderful pain free end to her beautiful life!.Www@Answer-Health@Com
You should request hospice care for your sister immediately!. It is hospice who can answer all your questions and keep your sister comfortable!. Doctors are in the business of trying to stop the dying process to save lives and what is happening to your sister is beyond their realm!. Hospice deals with dying patients, palliative and comfort care, they have doctors who can prescribe medication for you sister as she passes from this life!. But that is the reason you are not getting any answers from the medical staff !. !.they really do not know when your sister will die !. !.they just know that she will die!. Your sister is being cared for by the wrong type of medical staff !. !. !. hospice will make this all clear for you!.
ACS: What is hospice care
http://www!.cancer!.org/docroot/eto/conten!.!.!.Www@Answer-Health@Com
ACS: What is hospice care
http://www!.cancer!.org/docroot/eto/conten!.!.!.Www@Answer-Health@Com
I'm really angry that your sister's doctor isn't giving you the honest answers you are asking for!. I would absolutely, respectfully approach him one last time and ask him what is in store for your sister and what can she and your family expect!. She may be in the final stages of her life now for all you know!. If he won't give you the answers you need, please go straight to the hospital chief of staff and file an immediate grievance!. I'm not sure of the proper procedure for that however, you need to take a stand over the non communication your family is having to endure with your sisters doctor and start now, you'll get the answers you need but, you're going to have to aggressively get them(apparently)!. If I were in the same city as you I'd come straight over and help you find who you need to see to get some dang answers!
My father died from cancer!. His last day alive, he wasn't feeling good at all and we took him to the hospital!. He was admitted and was able to answer all the questions asked by himself!. 12 hours later he took a final breath and that was it!. No drama, nothing, he just passed!.
I've survived cancer twice and have had a transplant, after reading what you've written, I'll make sure no doctor leaves my family without answers if I'm ever hospitalized again!.
Best wishes to your sister and to you and the rest of the family!.Www@Answer-Health@Com
My father died from cancer!. His last day alive, he wasn't feeling good at all and we took him to the hospital!. He was admitted and was able to answer all the questions asked by himself!. 12 hours later he took a final breath and that was it!. No drama, nothing, he just passed!.
I've survived cancer twice and have had a transplant, after reading what you've written, I'll make sure no doctor leaves my family without answers if I'm ever hospitalized again!.
Best wishes to your sister and to you and the rest of the family!.Www@Answer-Health@Com