About 4.5 years ago, my Mum got her cancer diagnosis. Despite her not going through with the chemo, she was cancer free for a while. Last year, they detected something that indicated that the cancer might be back but further exams would have been needed to confirm the suspicion. My Mum had decided not to have chemo again so decided not to go for the exams as she felt that the outcome would make no difference.
This year, she's been suffering from pain in her leg for a while which kept getting worse. At first, they thought that she might have a spinal issue but it turns out that the cancer is back and has spread. And it cannot be cured anymore.
She's had meetings with the local palliative care team and the lovely doctor told her that she'd be dead by February next year. The pain will get worse and because the tumor is pressing on a nerve near her spine, the pain will be horrific.
Then they finally had the appointment with the oncologist, who says that it is impossible to make a prediction of her remaining life expectancy. Yes, she might be dead within the next months. Or she might survive for a couple of years or even longer.
She started radiotherapy today. Daily for five weeks in the hope that this will shrink the tumor and thus at least delay the expected pain.
We will all die one day. She's 70.
The prospect of her having to endure terrible pain before the end is just horrific.
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