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Cancer Support

PennyK

(2,301 posts) Sat Jul 6, 2019, 03:07 PM Jul 2019

My mother passed, we think, from cancer.

A former long-time smoker, she was already in poor health when her lung cancer was diagnosed a few months ago. I never found out just what kind she had (I live 1,000 miles away), but immunotherapy was prescribed. She got one dose of Keytruda and went downhill so fast it was astounding.

My sister and brother were there to help almost full-time, and it was suggested to me to visit at the end of June. How I wish I had gone sooner! I got one smile and that was it. She was almost ready for hospice at that point and they kept her at home as long as they could. There came a day when it was time to let the pros take over, and she didn't last two days in the facility.

It was not pretty to see someone who was such a huge part of your life deteriorate as she did...but all I could see when I looked at her was my Mom still young and beautiful as she was when I was a kid.

I lucked out with" only" breast cancer...thus far.

11 replies

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My mother passed, we think, from cancer. (Original Post) PennyK Jul 2019 OP

That's what took my Mom SHRED Jul 2019 #1

So sorry, PennyK. Terrible loss MaryMagdaline Jul 2019 #2

Sorry for your loss Penny ... mr_lebowski Jul 2019 #3

So sorry for your loss, Penny. dixiegrrrrl Jul 2019 #4

So sorry for your loss, Penny. sheshe2 Jul 2019 #5

Oh, I Am So Very Sorry DarthDem Jul 2019 #6

pretty much how my dad went. it was a shock. mopinko Jul 2019 #7

Penny I am so so sorry irisblue Jul 2019 #8

Deepest sympathy. She's happy now and thankful for not having to suffer longer. Lung Karadeniz Jul 2019 #9

I am so sorry KT2000 Jul 2019 #10

Thanks so much, all of you PennyK Jul 2019 #11

SHRED

(28,136 posts)

1. That's what took my Mom

Reply to PennyK (Original post)

Sat Jul 6, 2019, 03:09 PM

Jul 2019

MaryMagdaline

(6,851 posts)

2. So sorry, PennyK. Terrible loss

Reply to PennyK (Original post)

Sat Jul 6, 2019, 03:10 PM

Jul 2019

mr_lebowski

(33,643 posts)

3. Sorry for your loss Penny ...

Reply to PennyK (Original post)

Sat Jul 6, 2019, 03:14 PM

Jul 2019

dixiegrrrrl

(60,010 posts)

4. So sorry for your loss, Penny.

Reply to PennyK (Original post)

Sat Jul 6, 2019, 03:17 PM

Jul 2019

My Mom died same way, same cause, 30 years ago.

sheshe2

(83,647 posts)

5. So sorry for your loss, Penny.

Reply to PennyK (Original post)

Sat Jul 6, 2019, 03:21 PM

Jul 2019

DarthDem

(5,255 posts)

6. Oh, I Am So Very Sorry

Reply to PennyK (Original post)

Sat Jul 6, 2019, 03:35 PM

Jul 2019

Sorry to hear this news. All my best to you and your family.

mopinko

(69,990 posts)

7. pretty much how my dad went. it was a shock.

Reply to PennyK (Original post)

Sat Jul 6, 2019, 04:01 PM

Jul 2019

but he had been in poor health, w a collapsed vertebra for years that left him taking lots of pain meds. fell one day, and hurt his arm. took him for an xray and 3 days later he passed.

that was a long time ago, and there wasnt much they could have done had they caught it. but it was still so quick.

it really does make a difference to be able to say goodbye. i'm glad you got that chance.

irisblue

(32,928 posts)

8. Penny I am so so sorry

Reply to PennyK (Original post)

Sat Jul 6, 2019, 04:05 PM

Jul 2019

I grieve with you for her
🕯️

Karadeniz

(22,468 posts)

9. Deepest sympathy. She's happy now and thankful for not having to suffer longer. Lung

Reply to PennyK (Original post)

Sat Jul 6, 2019, 05:09 PM

Jul 2019

cancer is a witch, for sure.

KT2000

(20,568 posts)

10. I am so sorry

Reply to PennyK (Original post)

Sat Jul 6, 2019, 06:17 PM

Jul 2019

it is hard when we lose our mothers and there is so much to remember. Peace to you.

PennyK

(2,301 posts)

11. Thanks so much, all of you

Reply to PennyK (Original post)

Sat Jul 6, 2019, 09:03 PM

Jul 2019

She had a very large personality and she has been a part of so many things I do...she taught me so much. I was a rebel-without-a-cause teenager, and we fought a lot, but once I hit, oh, 50 or so, things between us became easier. I visited a few months ago and spent a lot of time with her; at that point we were planning to move her close to me in Florida.

I forgot to mention that she was 91.
Her father died of lung cancer at 57, and she used to think she would go at the same time, for the same reason.

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