Friday, August 2, 2013

Improving Lung Cancer Treatment With Palliative Care

Watched my first ‘webinar’ last night about “palliative care” and innovations making palliative part of the ‘curative’ stage from day one … big city hospitals even have ‘palliative care’ teams available to lung cancer patients.


“Palliative care is a comprehensive approach to caring for the whole patient that considers symptom management and social, emotional and spiritual support throughout treatment.”

the word ‘psychosocial’ lit up my darkest shadows …

Thank you 
Regina Vidaver, PhD, National Lung Cancer Partnership and Jennifer Temel, MD, Massachusetts General Hospital

I’m supposed to get a link early next week to re-view the recording of this webinar … I will post in My Lung Cancer Odyssey. 

The first week of Chemo Round 3 ended with me back in for a pre-weekend saline drip. I guess its progress only one drip vs 2 or 3 per week during Chemo Rounds 1 and 2.

Does it feel like progress? I need a cane all the time now. Permanent or temporary? I’m told only time will tell. So easy for those without cancer to discuss time in the abstract.  

I am fall down on my knees grateful I have no pain. 

Kudos to modern drugs that have reduced nausea from the daily equation.  
Having no appetite I live on snacks but I’m told that is OK especially as my blood work keeps coming back OK ... and I remain within just a couple pounds of Body Mass Index (BMI) or in my case ... 175 lbs (79 kg)

A hacking cough had developed waking me throughout the night … but ‘we’ discovered it was “too many” hands in the meds prepping am and pm meds. Once on the same page cough is history and a lesson learned that not everything is about cancer.

I am not the world’s most patient person … I am trying to learn that I will need patience to outlive lung cancer. 
--
Patrick Leer
Health Activist:
Caregivingly Yours, MS Caregiver @ http://caregivinglyyours.blogspot.com/


2 comments:

  1. I am looking forward to watching this myself, Patrick.
    I am glad to hear you are having an easier time with this last round of chemo.
    As far as the cane goes, better to have it than lay in the floor unable to get up or having someone to have to help you.
    I also have a cough and have for a number of years. Doc said some of my meds have that as a side affect.

    I just hate it when my meds give me the same symptoms as my disease, don't you? (Please read that with a very southern accent, just to get the full effect!! LOL)

    Jackie

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    1. It was fascinating I could not take notes fast enough ... look for it early next week.

      The cough was freaky as I never had a cough not even as a symptom ... it was a treat to discover it was too many well intended hands in the pharma- cookie jar :)

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