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Losing the will to live

Posted: Sat Jun 16, 2018 8:20 am
by dauofcamom
My mom was diagnosed in March and had surgery April 7. She’s stage IIIC. She started her first 3-week round of Xelox regime May 16. She stopped eating and was barely drinking anything after I left to go home on June 1.

I live on the opposite coast but flew out there and stayed for 2 1/2 months to be with my mom through surgery, recovery, oncology consults and finally her first round of chemo.

On June 3 she was having intense abdominal pains and went to the ER. She stayed in the hospital for 8 days. She only wanted to sleep. She was not eating in the hospital but she was being hydrated. The doctor sent her home as all her vitals and Bloodwork were good. He felt she could get better at home since she hated being in the hospital.

Once home she still was not eating. Maybe one bite of something here or there. She was barely drinking anything either. She is incredibly weak and frail. On Thursday the onc’s office called her to come in so they could hydrate her. My brother, aunt and dad said she looked better afterward but once home, she refused to eat or drink anything. The nurse suggested an appointment with the nutritionist, but when they got home my aunt said she isn’t going. She’s not doing any more chemo or anything else the doc suggests. She just wants to sleep all day. She doesn’t want to see anyone and she won’t talk to me on the phone.

I am heartbroken and angry and scared and sad. There is nothing any of us can do to motivate her. I think my mom has lost her will to live and just wants to die.

My mom is 75 and up until her cancer diagnosis was really healthy. No medications for anything, no ailments or conditions. How can someone decline so rapidly??? I don’t know what to do.

Re: Losing the will to live

Posted: Sat Jun 16, 2018 10:18 am
by mobrouser
Dauofcamom, I am so sorry.
Your questions are very difficult ones and the answers are neither easy to give or maybe even to accept.

Did your mother ever discuss, even casually, end of life options with your dad; or with you, brother and Dad at some point in the past?
If she did that should be your starting point.

Given her otherwise good health (no mets and no other health issues), and what seems to be her choice not to live, she needs to be aware that it will not likely be quick and it will not be easy for her or her family. I won't go into details here unless you wish me to, but I have experienced it. Can I suggest that you find a counsellor that will come to the house? Does her cancer centre offer that kind of support? Is there a priest or minister that can give her guidance?

Don't be afraid to ask for professional guidance/support for yourself, Dad and brother as well.

Again, I am so sorry.
:( mob

Re: Losing the will to live

Posted: Sat Jun 16, 2018 5:45 pm
by emkaye
I am so sorry to hear this. I was hoping that she would regain her strength and will to live.
I can only echo the previous advice that was given. I hope that she will at least listen to a chaplain or counselor.
You also need to keep your strength up. Get help for yourself so you can face what lies ahead.
I have been praying for you and will continue to pray for your entire family.
Let us know what happens we are here for you.

Re: Losing the will to live

Posted: Sat Jun 16, 2018 10:21 pm
by SteveNZ
I also am so sorry to here about your mum.
The wisdom others have shared is so good. Please be strong. It is a terrible burden to carry so if possible find others to share and cry with. We all care.

I will pray for you and your mum and your family.

Re: Losing the will to live

Posted: Sun Jun 17, 2018 4:48 am
by dauofcamom
She is back in the hospital. She woke my dad up last night and told him she didn’t think she would make it through the night. She is so weak. I hope it’s a good sign that she woke him up and wanted to go to the hospital. Maybe she doesn’t want to die. I am flying back out tomorrow.

Re: Losing the will to live

Posted: Sun Jun 17, 2018 7:17 am
by Robino1
My prayers for you and your family during this trying time. Hopefully her will to fight kicks in.

{{{virtual hugs from afar}}}

Re: Losing the will to live

Posted: Sun Jun 17, 2018 9:28 am
by dauofcamom
Just spoke with my aunt. My mom told her last night that she is dying. My aunt asked her why she thinks that and my mom said she feels it. Changed my flight and I’m flying out tonight. I am sick, scared, sad beyond measure. My mom is the sweetest, kindest woman on the planet.

Re: Losing the will to live

Posted: Sun Jun 17, 2018 2:15 pm
by CAGirl
Oh dear.
This isn't a death sentence. Does she realize that? Especially since she was healthy prior to diagnosis. Although I am 30 years younger with two small children to live for, she can get through this and be on the other end of treatment, too! (Sorry -- I don't know much about MSI-high status. Can others here comment on that?) Have you guys seen the post here called "Stage 3 -- NED for how long now?"? That helped me tremendously. Is it the diagnosis or the Xelox that is giving her the loss of will to live? I did Folfox last year for five months and tolerated it okay with IV fluids right after and small snacks and lots of hydration (and nausea meds).
Also, have either of you read Pema Chodron's When Things Fall Apart? It really helped my outlook, changed my whole way of approaching life, actually. (And I am not religious or very spiritual by nature.) I did sound therapy and regular therapy (with my husband, with a therapist who focused on cancer and parenting) and forced myself to walk around the neighborhood, too.
Good luck -- we are here, and this Forum kicks butt. So sorry you and your family have to deal with this. I was feeling full of despair and like I was drowning before I read that book. I hope I don't have to pick it up again, but for now, I am blissfully happy (and hopeful that it won't return.)

Re: Losing the will to live

Posted: Mon Jun 18, 2018 5:45 am
by nomoretacos
Chemo is tough, I felt like a frail zombie by the end of it and that was the age of 31 so I can't imagine what your mother must be going through. But here I am post chemo after also a Stage3C diagnosis and I am stronger than ever and back to the normalities of life. Your mother isn't dying but with the combination of chemo and not eating i'm not surprised she feel like it. You all need to have a frank discussion with her oncologist and work out whats best for her health physically and mentally, goodluck!

Re: Losing the will to live

Posted: Mon Jun 18, 2018 6:13 am
by NHMike
The Stage 3 treatment regimen is very rough and it's a marathon. I've been at it for a year and it is very hard but I'm younger than your mother. I've chatted with people that have been on and off chemo for a very long time and they think about just looking for quality of life for some time instead of having to deal with it. It wasn't something that I could argue as I haven't been there. Most here are fighters but it can be hard to fight when you feel that the challenge is really hard. I talked with a co-worker about really dark things as she is gravely ill and she felt that she could talk to me about it as I've had some of those thoughts myself in the past. I am pretty sure that she's not going to take that path as she's always been a rough and tumble fighter in life.

I'm not sure what would work with your mother - maybe talking to a Stage 3 survivor directly or education about the process and the good outlook for survival. It's very hard to see your parents like this and I do hope that you and her other supporters can find a solution.

Re: Losing the will to live

Posted: Mon Jun 18, 2018 9:05 am
by dauofcamom
Thank you everyone for all your words of comfort and advice. I arrived late last night and am going to see Mom this morning. She does not know I’m here yet. My brother said she has NOT lost the will to live. She’s just very sick and scared. Will be meeting with doctor and getting counseling services set up for Mom. I’ll keep you updated. Thank you immensely for your thoughts and prayers.

Re: Losing the will to live

Posted: Mon Jun 18, 2018 1:47 pm
by kellywin
First, I want to say I'm so sorry for what you are going through. I hope this doesn't come out wrong, but I'm not sure I'd want my mom to be on Xelox at her age. It's absolutely rough and I was 40. The thought of going through it at an older age is terrifying. The chemo is absolute hell in so many ways. The mental part of a cancer diagnosis is so hard, you have lost control of your life, cancer, doctors, poisons, tests, needles, rinse and repeat. At stage IIIC, I'm assuming they got all the cancer out at surgery, so at her age, I'm not sure I'd want to go through multiple rounds of Xelox as a precaution. Maybe Xeloda only is a better route for her. I'm definitely not a doctor (obviously) and I don't know all the specific risks for your mom, but the Oxaliplatin piece of the chemo can be really rough on younger people, and I would imagine extra hard on someone older.

Again, I hope this didn't come out wrong. I definitely feel for you and your family.

Sending positive thoughts to your mom.

...Kelly

Re: Losing the will to live

Posted: Wed Jul 25, 2018 9:38 pm
by Sammy2067
dauofcamom wrote:My mom was diagnosed in March and had surgery April 7. She’s stage IIIC. She started her first 3-week round of Xelox regime May 16. She stopped eating and was barely drinking anything after I left to go home on June 1.

I live on the opposite coast but flew out there and stayed for 2 1/2 months to be with my mom through surgery, recovery, oncology consults and finally her first round of chemo.

On June 3 she was having intense abdominal pains and went to the ER. She stayed in the hospital for 8 days. She only wanted to sleep. She was not eating in the hospital but she was being hydrated. The doctor sent her home as all her vitals and Bloodwork were good. He felt she could get better at home since she hated being in the hospital.

Once home she still was not eating. Maybe one bite of something here or there. She was barely drinking anything either. She is incredibly weak and frail. On Thursday the onc’s office called her to come in so they could hydrate her. My brother, aunt and dad said she looked better afterward but once home, she refused to eat or drink anything. The nurse suggested an appointment with the nutritionist, but when they got home my aunt said she isn’t going. She’s not doing any more chemo or anything else the doc suggests. She just wants to sleep all day. She doesn’t want to see anyone and she won’t talk to me on the phone.

I am heartbroken and angry and scared and sad. There is nothing any of us can do to motivate her. I think my mom has lost her will to live and just wants to die.

My mom is 75 and up until her cancer diagnosis was really healthy. No medications for anything, no ailments or conditions. How can someone decline so rapidly??? I don’t know what to do.


Is she doing Xelox for three months or six months? The ox Is the tough part of the treatment. Oral capecitabine by self is not near as bad to tolerate.

Re: Losing the will to live

Posted: Thu Jul 26, 2018 5:13 am
by Joecool1983
Honestly, my advice would be to support her in whatever decisions she makes and help make her feel as comfortable as possible.

Re: Losing the will to live

Posted: Thu Jul 26, 2018 12:23 pm
by bitchslapped
You sound like a wonderful daughter to your mother. I hope she is doing better & you update soon.

Best Wishes
BS