What do we expect?

[jan825]

My mother in law is 86 years old and was diagnosed with NSCLC aggressive - stage 4 in February.  She was given 6 months maybe a bit longer with chemo.  She turned down the chemo and stopped taking her heart medication.  She was given oxygen because she was at 83% level.  She stayed on the oxygen for 2 weeks and has since turned it off.  She has no pain, coughs up phlem (takes cough medicine perscribed by the doctor).  Besides not having an appetite, but she will still eat and she seems better than she did a month ago.  Other symptoms are weakness, tiredness.

Is this possible?

My concern is what are we to expect with her condition. We are currently staying with her so she is not alone and she has her meals and personal care taken care of.

We don't know how long she will be like this or how much worse things will get. I have tried all over the internet to get information on non treated NSCLC but there is only information with the treatments.

If anyone can help this would be great.

Jan825

[BhumikaMD]

Hi,

I am sorry to hear about the medical condition of your mother in law. Well, from what you describe - this is stage 4 cancer with widespread metastasis involving multiple organs. The prognosis in such cases is very bad , though nothing can be said about the time frame.

You should try and make her comfortable and spend time with her.

Best regards.

[jan825]

Thanks for the response.  It is so frustrating, I see her hands get the mottled look and her feet are okay and then her hands clear up.  She has started to complain of constipation every day now even though she is going every other day.  Understandable to not need to use the bathroom every day when you go from a chair to bed.  No excerise is the worst.  

It really is hard when you have to live it 24/7. Only one of us can go out at a time because we can't leave her alone in case she chokes when she coughs.

I wish the doctors would just tell people (the caregivers) what they need to expect or watch for. The unknown is much worse than not knowing what you will need to do.

Thanks for your help and keep me posted on your father.  I wish you the best.

Jan825

[Snoopy114]

So sorry to hear about your mother-in-law.  I have a similar situation with my father in that I can't find info on Stage 4 cancer with no treatments.  His doctor told me he has Stage Four in Nov and it's been almost 6 months with no treatments-and also he has no symptoms.  He refuses a biopsy to find out if he definitely has it but doctor told me he feels 8.5-9 % sure he does have it.  He also said he's seen people with Stage Four go for a few years.  I know this info probably won't help you but I understand what you're going thru.  Each day I "look" for some sign that it's getting worse, which was driving me crazy so now I've (kinda) learned to take it a day at a time and live life the same (as best as I can).

[jan825]

Her cancer was already matestasized into her adrenal gland and liver.