› Forums › General Melanoma Community › Hospice or Treatment
- This topic has 36 replies, 8 voices, and was last updated 9 years, 6 months ago by
Rita and Charles.
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- November 3, 2015 at 3:08 am
Soo, my hubby, (stage 4, mets in brain, spine, lungs, pelvis, ribs) was admitted to the hospital on Friday, Oct 23 for dehydration and malnutrition due to vomiting. After new act scan they found the tumor in his R lung had grown into his bronchi and was obstructing his breathing. He was then admitted into University of Wisconsin Health on Tuesday, Oct 27th. They did surgery cutting the cancer out of the bronchi and putting in a stent. His breathing has gone from needing 6lpm to only 2lpm. We had an MRI and PET scan on Oct 14th at our local hospital. The MRI had shown that the one brain met that he was diagnosed with in May had stayed the same….Fast forward to last week, here at UW, when they were filling him up with fluids..he started swelling up on the top half of his body. They did a new MRI on Oct 30th on his brain and chest and found a tumor in his chest is obstructing his Superior Vena Cava causing the swelling. As for the brain MRI they found that since his last one on the 14th he has had 7 more small tumors pop up and the original one that was a size of a pea on Oct 14 is now the sign of a ping pong ball. So they started radiation right away on his brain and on his chest. He had been doing really bad for the past few weeks and on Saturday the oncologist (melanoma specialist) here at UW told us that if things didn't improve by Tuesday that we should discuss hospice. Sunday there was improvement and today was huge improvement but the social worker came in and said the dr is still suggesting hospice. He is being discharged tomorrow.
My husband is only 47 and other then the cancer a very healthy man, he has no other health issues. I am torn—I feel like if he enters hospice then we are just giving up. If we fight and continue with chemo and radiation he may be able to extend his life a couple years possibly.
Have any of you here ever had a dr suggest hospice… What was your decision….why?
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- November 3, 2015 at 4:15 am
Oh I forgot to mention that he has only had 1 dose of Opdivo… That was on Oct 16th. The Opdivo was not what caused the vomiting because that started on Oct 11. I'm just feeling like it's too early to just give up.
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- November 3, 2015 at 4:15 am
Oh I forgot to mention that he has only had 1 dose of Opdivo… That was on Oct 16th. The Opdivo was not what caused the vomiting because that started on Oct 11. I'm just feeling like it's too early to just give up.
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- November 3, 2015 at 4:15 am
Oh I forgot to mention that he has only had 1 dose of Opdivo… That was on Oct 16th. The Opdivo was not what caused the vomiting because that started on Oct 11. I'm just feeling like it's too early to just give up.
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- November 3, 2015 at 1:44 pm
Hi Renee,
I'm so sorry for what you are going through and what your husband is dealing with, but you are doing a great job of being a wonderful caregiver. The doctor may be thinking of you as well when he is suggesting hospice as it provides services to help the caregiver with some of the burden. I think you need to clarify with the doctor exactly what that means, as there is some gray area concerning hospice and curative treatment. I've been researching to give you best possible answer, and here is a link to trusted site (about halfway down on this webpage, there is a table about the misconceptions of hospice and the reality). My advice would be to talk directly to his specialist and make sure you understand if he is suggesting to not give your husband curative treatment before you make the choice (he may be able to get hospice services that provide him so relief as well as stay on a treatment plan):
There is also something called palliative care where they do curative treatment right along with pain management. I looked up the link for palliative care and they do have it available at UW Madison. This may be a better option as you want to keep fighting and we know that people can be close to the end with this disease and then see improvement . I chose hospice for my dad, but he was 80 with a degenerative condition, Parkinson's. Your husband is still a young man and treatments have occured that have turned this around with some patients. The choice will be yours and your husbands and either way, you will have made the right choice, but hopefully these resources may give you some options.
UW Hospital and Clinics Palliative Care Program
600 Highland Avenue
Madison, WI 53792
View Website
Phone: 608-890-9444
Fax: 608-263-5457
Population Served: AdultMany hugs
Jackie
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- November 3, 2015 at 1:44 pm
Hi Renee,
I'm so sorry for what you are going through and what your husband is dealing with, but you are doing a great job of being a wonderful caregiver. The doctor may be thinking of you as well when he is suggesting hospice as it provides services to help the caregiver with some of the burden. I think you need to clarify with the doctor exactly what that means, as there is some gray area concerning hospice and curative treatment. I've been researching to give you best possible answer, and here is a link to trusted site (about halfway down on this webpage, there is a table about the misconceptions of hospice and the reality). My advice would be to talk directly to his specialist and make sure you understand if he is suggesting to not give your husband curative treatment before you make the choice (he may be able to get hospice services that provide him so relief as well as stay on a treatment plan):
There is also something called palliative care where they do curative treatment right along with pain management. I looked up the link for palliative care and they do have it available at UW Madison. This may be a better option as you want to keep fighting and we know that people can be close to the end with this disease and then see improvement . I chose hospice for my dad, but he was 80 with a degenerative condition, Parkinson's. Your husband is still a young man and treatments have occured that have turned this around with some patients. The choice will be yours and your husbands and either way, you will have made the right choice, but hopefully these resources may give you some options.
UW Hospital and Clinics Palliative Care Program
600 Highland Avenue
Madison, WI 53792
View Website
Phone: 608-890-9444
Fax: 608-263-5457
Population Served: AdultMany hugs
Jackie
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- November 3, 2015 at 1:44 pm
Hi Renee,
I'm so sorry for what you are going through and what your husband is dealing with, but you are doing a great job of being a wonderful caregiver. The doctor may be thinking of you as well when he is suggesting hospice as it provides services to help the caregiver with some of the burden. I think you need to clarify with the doctor exactly what that means, as there is some gray area concerning hospice and curative treatment. I've been researching to give you best possible answer, and here is a link to trusted site (about halfway down on this webpage, there is a table about the misconceptions of hospice and the reality). My advice would be to talk directly to his specialist and make sure you understand if he is suggesting to not give your husband curative treatment before you make the choice (he may be able to get hospice services that provide him so relief as well as stay on a treatment plan):
There is also something called palliative care where they do curative treatment right along with pain management. I looked up the link for palliative care and they do have it available at UW Madison. This may be a better option as you want to keep fighting and we know that people can be close to the end with this disease and then see improvement . I chose hospice for my dad, but he was 80 with a degenerative condition, Parkinson's. Your husband is still a young man and treatments have occured that have turned this around with some patients. The choice will be yours and your husbands and either way, you will have made the right choice, but hopefully these resources may give you some options.
UW Hospital and Clinics Palliative Care Program
600 Highland Avenue
Madison, WI 53792
View Website
Phone: 608-890-9444
Fax: 608-263-5457
Population Served: AdultMany hugs
Jackie
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- November 3, 2015 at 3:16 pm
Thank you for your replys and advise! The melanoma specialist here at UW said if we want to continue chemo then we should not go with hospice. He said since Dennis has shown so much improvement, he thinks further treatment is a good plan! So they are going to call and schedule a appointment for us with his regular oncologist back home! He is also totally off of oxygen now! He is still being discharged to home today. Praying for more improvement and success with further treatments!
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- November 3, 2015 at 3:16 pm
Thank you for your replys and advise! The melanoma specialist here at UW said if we want to continue chemo then we should not go with hospice. He said since Dennis has shown so much improvement, he thinks further treatment is a good plan! So they are going to call and schedule a appointment for us with his regular oncologist back home! He is also totally off of oxygen now! He is still being discharged to home today. Praying for more improvement and success with further treatments!
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- November 4, 2015 at 1:24 am
So happy for you. A quick note on pallitive care – my husband does not have the same situation as yours – much less tumor burden. But due to previous car accident way before melanoma showed up, he is always in chronic pain. Since he started treatment 3 months ago – his pain level has sky rocketed, depressed and we have been franitic to find the right pain doctor and see how quality of life can be achieved. Tomorrow, we have someone coming from Pallative care to our home. I spoke with them on Friday, it was a bad day – and for the first time, someone took charge and said we will make him feel better! No red tape, no crazy doctor hopping – they are going to help get him back to a qualify of life. Frankly, they also bring a social worker to chat – I realize both he and I have been turned so upside down it has been wearing us down until we were nearly flat.
He is not at end of life by far, but we need a support…………I pray that this will work – happiness is important. Please look into the pallitive care, it will take a burden off you as well – it really helped me. Take care of your self, good luck – I'll say prayers for your husband and you.
I'll let you know how the meeting goes tomorrow with them………wish us luck!
Rita
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- November 4, 2015 at 1:24 am
So happy for you. A quick note on pallitive care – my husband does not have the same situation as yours – much less tumor burden. But due to previous car accident way before melanoma showed up, he is always in chronic pain. Since he started treatment 3 months ago – his pain level has sky rocketed, depressed and we have been franitic to find the right pain doctor and see how quality of life can be achieved. Tomorrow, we have someone coming from Pallative care to our home. I spoke with them on Friday, it was a bad day – and for the first time, someone took charge and said we will make him feel better! No red tape, no crazy doctor hopping – they are going to help get him back to a qualify of life. Frankly, they also bring a social worker to chat – I realize both he and I have been turned so upside down it has been wearing us down until we were nearly flat.
He is not at end of life by far, but we need a support…………I pray that this will work – happiness is important. Please look into the pallitive care, it will take a burden off you as well – it really helped me. Take care of your self, good luck – I'll say prayers for your husband and you.
I'll let you know how the meeting goes tomorrow with them………wish us luck!
Rita
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- November 4, 2015 at 1:24 am
So happy for you. A quick note on pallitive care – my husband does not have the same situation as yours – much less tumor burden. But due to previous car accident way before melanoma showed up, he is always in chronic pain. Since he started treatment 3 months ago – his pain level has sky rocketed, depressed and we have been franitic to find the right pain doctor and see how quality of life can be achieved. Tomorrow, we have someone coming from Pallative care to our home. I spoke with them on Friday, it was a bad day – and for the first time, someone took charge and said we will make him feel better! No red tape, no crazy doctor hopping – they are going to help get him back to a qualify of life. Frankly, they also bring a social worker to chat – I realize both he and I have been turned so upside down it has been wearing us down until we were nearly flat.
He is not at end of life by far, but we need a support…………I pray that this will work – happiness is important. Please look into the pallitive care, it will take a burden off you as well – it really helped me. Take care of your self, good luck – I'll say prayers for your husband and you.
I'll let you know how the meeting goes tomorrow with them………wish us luck!
Rita
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- November 5, 2015 at 7:21 am
Rita, have you ever considered acupuncture for pain management? I haven't tried it myself but I just saw a great documentary "Escape Fire" where they used it on injured war veterans with great success. Just thought I'd throw it out there. I hope whatever you choose works well!
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- November 5, 2015 at 7:21 am
Rita, have you ever considered acupuncture for pain management? I haven't tried it myself but I just saw a great documentary "Escape Fire" where they used it on injured war veterans with great success. Just thought I'd throw it out there. I hope whatever you choose works well!
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- November 5, 2015 at 7:21 am
Rita, have you ever considered acupuncture for pain management? I haven't tried it myself but I just saw a great documentary "Escape Fire" where they used it on injured war veterans with great success. Just thought I'd throw it out there. I hope whatever you choose works well!
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- November 3, 2015 at 3:16 pm
Thank you for your replys and advise! The melanoma specialist here at UW said if we want to continue chemo then we should not go with hospice. He said since Dennis has shown so much improvement, he thinks further treatment is a good plan! So they are going to call and schedule a appointment for us with his regular oncologist back home! He is also totally off of oxygen now! He is still being discharged to home today. Praying for more improvement and success with further treatments!
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- December 12, 2015 at 5:06 am
How is your husband doing?? I hope well, Rita
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- December 12, 2015 at 5:06 am
How is your husband doing?? I hope well, Rita
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- December 12, 2015 at 5:06 am
How is your husband doing?? I hope well, Rita
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