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TINYG · 02-18-2008, 01:16 PM

Please help. Mom was diagnosed with small cell lung cancer (pleural effusion) in Oct. 2007 after lab results of the fluid came back positive for abnormal cells. She has had nothing identified on repeated CAT/ PET scans but agreed to begin chemo imediately. She tolerated Carbo and Taxol remarkedly well for 11 weekly sessions. I felt that it was to good to be true that she had such minimal side effects.

While getting in her car to drive and join the family for Christmas, she lost her balance and fell. That was the beginning of the problems. She began to use a walker as her stability got worse. She was complaining of the typical tingling and numbness in the fingers and toes. She was beginning to not be able to feel the bottoms of her feet, thus the balance problem. Alternative meds (Tarceva) were discussed and a decision was made to suspend treatment as the nuropaphy continued to get worse within the next 2 weeks. They believed Taxol to be the problem. Scans were conducted again to rule out the spread of cancer in the brain and elsewhere. Everything negative.

She was sent to a neurologist and then to a rehab center for extensive physical therapy to work on her balance. We were told it could take weeks or months for improvement of the nuropaphy. We are very concerned and searching for answers since the problem has gotten far worse in the last few weeks. Mom has basically lost the use of her legs from the knees down. The ankles can not support any weight even while trying to left up from the wheelchair. They are very concerned about her rolling over on them and causing a break. She can bearly move her toes and cannot feel any touches to them. The feet have began to turn inward from loss of muscle support. The calves are getting smaller. She is being fitted with special boots to restrict foot drop. Braces are being ordered to see if they can help support the upper body.

At some point we are going to have to revisit the cancer. Her anxiety level is understandably high but she has unbelievable poise as she meets the next day and looks forward to being bale to go home and get life back to nornal. Thank you for any insight or sharing. I'm her only son and constantly preoccuipied with wanted to make the right decisions with her. Chuck..

02-18-2008, 01:16 PM	#1
TINYG Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 1	Mom's challanges Please help. Mom was diagnosed with small cell lung cancer (pleural effusion) in Oct. 2007 after lab results of the fluid came back positive for abnormal cells. She has had nothing identified on repeated CAT/ PET scans but agreed to begin chemo imediately. She tolerated Carbo and Taxol remarkedly well for 11 weekly sessions. I felt that it was to good to be true that she had such minimal side effects. While getting in her car to drive and join the family for Christmas, she lost her balance and fell. That was the beginning of the problems. She began to use a walker as her stability got worse. She was complaining of the typical tingling and numbness in the fingers and toes. She was beginning to not be able to feel the bottoms of her feet, thus the balance problem. Alternative meds (Tarceva) were discussed and a decision was made to suspend treatment as the nuropaphy continued to get worse within the next 2 weeks. They believed Taxol to be the problem. Scans were conducted again to rule out the spread of cancer in the brain and elsewhere. Everything negative. She was sent to a neurologist and then to a rehab center for extensive physical therapy to work on her balance. We were told it could take weeks or months for improvement of the nuropaphy. We are very concerned and searching for answers since the problem has gotten far worse in the last few weeks. Mom has basically lost the use of her legs from the knees down. The ankles can not support any weight even while trying to left up from the wheelchair. They are very concerned about her rolling over on them and causing a break. She can bearly move her toes and cannot feel any touches to them. The feet have began to turn inward from loss of muscle support. The calves are getting smaller. She is being fitted with special boots to restrict foot drop. Braces are being ordered to see if they can help support the upper body. At some point we are going to have to revisit the cancer. Her anxiety level is understandably high but she has unbelievable poise as she meets the next day and looks forward to being bale to go home and get life back to nornal. Thank you for any insight or sharing. I'm her only son and constantly preoccuipied with wanted to make the right decisions with her. Chuck..