ask: end of life signals for pancreatic cancer patient
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Anonymous
May 27, 2009 - 11:24am
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Dear Anon
Thank you for your question - I am assuming it is a question? Are you looking for what to look for when a person is dying from pancreatic cancer?
On the basis that this is your question, there are various symptoms that may signal the end of life when someone terminally ill.
End of life signs are similar to any other kind of cancer. Pain (usually managed with medication) dramatic weight loss, as well as possible mental impairment.
Other things to look for :
-Wheezing sounds when the person is breathing, as well as shallow or labored breathing.
-The patient may sleep a lot
-The patient does not recognize family or friends
-Incontinence: the patient may need adult diapers and care with personal hygiene.
-Murmuring or mumbling that people cannot understand.
-Little or no appetite.
The National Cancer Institute has some wonderful tips on how to help a patient in his or her last stages of disease - you can find this advice here : http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/Support/end-of-life-care
Please let us know if this helps.
Does someone close to you have pancreatic cancer? Do you feel they are nearing death? Do you have a support system? Please let us know if you don't and we will find help for you!
May 27, 2009 - 12:24pmThis Comment
My wife passed away 4.5 years ago from MDS. I have a close relative who was diagnosed in mid-October with Pancreatic Cancer. After she hadd undergon extensive surgery to remove a duodenal blockage, they found the C during an endoscopy. She is much to under weight to operate or treat. Nor can she gain the weight necessary to begin treatments. She is taking tons of emzymes to supplement, but they are not really effective. She is trying to eat to gain the weight, but this is a frustrating process for her.
December 9, 2011 - 1:44pmMy history seems to be to face these tradegies head on. I do not like surprises. Her current condition is; fatigued and sleeps a lot, an occasional pain in the upper abdomen, short term. No weight gain, no apparent weight loss (she says). My question based on all the 3 to 6 month time tables I have read about is this. Is her general health and current condition just going to suddenly drop, or will there be a gradual decline? She can't really afford to loose much more weight, and to see her just exist is not good for any of us. I hope I am making sense to you.
My sister was diagnoised with Pancreatic Cancer a year ago. She is now home with Hospice Care. This week she has retained a lot of fluid, somewhat disoriented, speech is slurred almost like a stroke victim, one eye has gotten week. Is it possible for a stroke to have occurred? Her skin color is very pale. She is out of breath if she walks a short distance. Is this normal?
September 17, 2009 - 1:20pmHi,
I am sorry that your sister has been diagnosed with cancer, and now you are worried that there is more going on with her medically.
A recent study (2006) discusses the link between "co-morbidity" of stroke in cancer patients. The article costs $34 to access online, or you may access it through a university library or ask your sister's doctor how to access the journal, Current Neurology and Neuroscience Reports: http://www.springerlink.com/content/m82731447211l0r5/ (Article title: Stroke in cancer patients, Issue: Volume 6, Number 3, Date: May, 2006, Pages: 187-192)
The abstract of this article states, "cancer and its treatment may have a strong effect on stroke risk", but that, "patients with cancer still have the same stroke risk factors as the general population, and atherosclerosis still remains the most common cause of stroke in cancer patients."
The symptoms you listed may also be from her cancer. Were you able to read the link from Susan's previous post, detailing the symptoms of pancreatic cancer from the National Institutes of Cancer? Many of the symptoms you mentioned are listed as end-stage pancreatic cancer (loss of vision, decreased ability of body to use fluids, disorientation/confusion, loss of reflexes).
I hope this information helps; please let us know if you have any additional questions.
September 17, 2009 - 1:57pmI heard a passing comment that end stage pancreatic cancer pain can be hard to manage. Does anyone have stories or information about this? I am the primary care giver to a friend with pancreatic cancer.
January 7, 2012 - 2:05pmHi Anon
Thank you for your post and thank you for being a caregiver to a friend with this disease.
You can read all about end stage pancreatic cancer here: http://www.pancreascancerinfo.com/end-stage-pancreatic-cancer.html
Also, make sure you are getting caregiver support for yourself - find out more here: http://www.caregiver.com/
Best,
Susan
January 9, 2012 - 1:27pmMy boyfriend has pancreatic cancer. He will allow himself to be emotionally attached in any way. One night he grabbed my hand and put it on his chest and told me he feels he is going to be gone soon, and when he leaves he wants me to take his strength. That was two months ago. Every night I watched him in this horrible pain that he explained as contractions and a pain that starts at his chest and goes all over his stomache and his chest again. He said it already affected his torso. I was just with him last weekend and everything was fine. I haven't seen him since and he is not answering my calls. I know he is still around but I dont know if he is somewhere sick and passing away. I haven't had the opportunity to meet his family yet although he lives with my brother. I was told he went to his sisters house, whom I don't have an address for, I text him and I'm getting no responce. His behavior is very weird. I'm afraid I may be losing my best friend. I don't know what to do. He doesn't want anyone outside of who already know's his condition to know anything. I will not be able to live with myself if something happens to him. I can't even sleep. What do I do? Is a drastic change in his behavior a sign that he is getting worst?
January 21, 2012 - 12:09amHi Anon
We're very sorry about your boyfriend.
If he is living with your brother, can't you call your brother?
Are you able to go to their house?
~Susan
January 23, 2012 - 1:03pmHi Susan, let me tell you about my grandmother's case
January 26, 2012 - 11:01amshe's 78 years old and has been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, the doctors say it's in its terminal phase
some days she is hungry and eats more than she has been eating for the last few months but then her stomach starts making noises and she has to go to the bathroom immediately, she often has diarrea
what concerns me the most is that her feet, legs and abdomen are extremely swollen, so she cant walk
i dont know how much longer she will resist, she seems to be tired of living like this, do you think she still has a long way to go in order to find peace ?
Hi Anon
Unfortunately I can't answer this question for you.
Is your grandmother getting hospice care? If not, it's a good idea to talk to her doctor about this and he/she can tell you if it's time yet.
I wish you the very best and I'm sorry your grandmother is in so much discomfort. I also hope she finds comfort soon.
Best,
~Susan
January 26, 2012 - 12:19pm