My mother has cancer

David,

While words fail me after reading such a sincere and emotional update... Please know that you, your "Mamma," and your family are being kept in daily thoughts and prayers.

Regardless of how old I am, my Mom is still "Mamma" too.

David, I've been reading your posts and my heart breaks for you and your momma. There's nothing more I can add to what others have said - we will continue with our prayers and will be here for you whenever you need us.

..tuff times David but you and I and all here know that this stuff here will make you a better man. Being there for your Mother and to nurture her needs as a loving son is the humbleness that brings our human existence closer to God.. You are doing an outstanding job at juggling all these earthly things, you love your Mother, your Wife and Children, your Family and doing something about it, that is the essence of this life.. God Bless you brother..

......Project Appleseed Nick........

David, the last thing you need to do is apologize for this thread. I will be in same situation as you are, some day. For the past 20 yrs I have also been trying to be here and there, for my young family and for my parents who have often ran into difficulties (surgeries, legal, etc). It has dominated my life in a BIG way, and it´ll only get harder.
We are all here for you. I told you about my aunt who suffered from lung cancer and how her sister was watching her 3 wks, than 3 wks went home, and back and forth. When I visited my ill aunt (it was obvious to me, already in much pain), she said that she was so proud of her sister who never cried once, at least not in front of her. She died 3 months after my visit. I didn´t think that she got appropriate pain management where she was, it was quite a remote village.
I have no good advice for you, but try to be the best person, and you already are. It will guide you, and you will know what to do. We are all here for you.

-3 days to my departure and I'm trying to squeeze everything in.

First thing to today I took my mum to the oncology site to talk to the oncologist and radiologist. It wa shard getting her there. Every bump on the road in the cab was painful. Must be like for us surgery guys on that ride home after surgery.

Luckily my mum comes "recommended" in that the radiologist is a leader in her religious community and my uncle was the monk and elder of the group until dying so mum gets preferential treatment. We cut lines, got meds given to us, and they are even driving her slides to Florence for us for the genetic tests. My Socialist friends who are fed up of the political situation and corruption in Italy are glad we are getting this preferential treatment but call it the "Mafia Mentality" that keeps Italy down and so far apart form our more efficient Northern neighbors. Anyway...


There doing this genetic test to determine if she can bypass chemo and go on something I think was called Tarceva. If not, chemo it is. So since slides had to be driven to Florence, chemo wouldn't start for 8-10 days probably anyway. The radiologist was concerned about the continued pain so he scheduled an e-ray to see if lesions have spread to femur, and scheduled 6 new radiation sessions starting Thursday (the day I leave of course)

They've upped the oxy contin form 80 mg a day to 100 and if needed 120, gave my mother a vitamin shot and folic acid pills in anticipation of treatment.

My mother did not have a pain crisis yet today. I'm so relieved. First day in a week. Keeping my fingers crossed for rest of evening.

I have been given the name of a woman who can be her "badante" (keeper???) just to be around and hel;p her with everything. Calling her now to negotiate a rate.

Mum is eating a ton of food when I buy her good stuff. That's a good sign. Last night she called me at 11ish to get her ice cream, she was craving it. I thought that was a great sign until I remembered I brought my grandpa ice cream everyday the month before he died.

Today was a productive day. Tomorrow morning I go to the local govt building to get her int he system as an "invalid" who gets everything for free including car rides to hospital. I'll be dealing with Italian politics and red tape so it won't be such a good day.

Saw a classical music choir concert at midnight last night in a 800 year old church last night. Up on top of the town in the medieval part. It was inspiring. Shame for the Italian BO. Why they resist deo is a mystery.

Been thinking about you David - glad to see you're back on track with your Plan. Continued best to your Mom, yourself and the family.....

Davidg, good to hear from you and so very glad to hear that your mom seems to be more comfortable. I've heard of Tarceva...if you are so inclined, Cancer Forum.net has an active lung cancer website and the folks there seem pretty knowledgeable. You might want to take a peek and see if there's anything useful about Tarceva and other chemo therapies.

Here's hoping that the rest of your time with mom is filled with peace and is as pain free (for both of you) as possible. You know where we are if you need us.

David,
I also wondered why HW doesn't have a lung cancer forum.

I have a friend and a cousin who each battled lung cancer and I was searching for information, so I came to HW first only to discover they don't have a forum for it.

FWIW, my cousin had brain and bone mets and is now in full remission after radiation and chemo. Actually, the chemo was done only as an abundance of caution.

Hope floats.

I hope you find a solution to your dilemma soon and can travel back knowing your Mom's health needs are being 100% cared to.

found a helper, that's a big relief for me mentally and relieves some of my guilt. Then today I rented a wheelchair so that the helper can take my mother on strolls in town to get some fresh (well, summer is coming) air. Took advantage of it and took my mother on a 2 hour walk through the beautiful part of town which happens to be at the very top of the hill. It was actually harder bringing her downhill than uphill. We also had a very nice lunch up there. It really made her happy. I leave Arezzo tomorrow and spend a night in Frascati (where the wine is from) so I can let off some steam with my friends. Then back to U.S. Friday. It's actually gone by very quickly. Not giving up on miracles and I would classify 2-4 years pain free as a miracle.

You have accomplished so much in a short time!! Finding a helper - so, so important!
Have a safe trip back!