Steroids -why is mum on them.

Question

my mum has terminal lung cancer and has been put on steroids, for pressure she was getting in her head, she seems to have more energy now and thinks she will live for years.

But the specialist said 3 weeks ago that mum only had months left.

Could the diagnosis be wrong perhaps.

any ideas ?.

Answer 1

Chances are the specialists are right.  Your mum is feeling well because of the steroids.  They will make her 'comfortable' (reduce swelling) They are not a cure all  for the disease and they have their side effects.(Most notably the moon face) Cherish the time you have with her but don't get your hopes up too high.  I have lost my FIL, my boss, and my best friend (and even her brother!) all due to lung cancer. My FIL and the best friend's brother have had a lung removed.  They both suffered a lot.  For what they went through they wished that they hadn't.  My friend said she wasn't going to go through the agony that her brother did.  She had been at first given 6 months to a year. But the cancer was fast growing and agressive.  They had given her radiation and although it made her feel as good as she could be, it was all that they could do for her and she was good for about 6 weeks and her health deteriorated sharply.  She was diagnosed one year ago, Aug. 6th and died the 27th of October.  The cancer had spread to her brain so it actually killed her before the lung cancer did.  I am sorry I am not painting a pretty picture, but don't have high expectations.  Do the best you can for her while she is feeling well.  Cherish the good life that she has left.  You are given the chance to spend your last moments with her so use it wisely.  I know it's rough. When my father died, he died very suddenly of a heart attack.  He didn't suffer, but at the same time I never got to say good bye.  I know it is selfish of me, but I have often wished that he would have suffered so that we would have had some last moments together. It's hard to let go the ones you truly love.  

(BTW, now that I have gotten a chance to read all of the answers,  I just want to comment that  Anabell is right about what the steroids do.)

Answer 2

It seems your mums Lung Cancer has spread to her brain, steroids are often prescribed to reduce the swelling in the brain and so reduce raised intracranial pressure.  Steroids can often make a big improvement in symptoms.

I hope all goes well for your mum and it helps her survive longer.

Answer 3

lung cancer is terminal some drugs can add a few more months to ones life, but prepare for the worst, hope im wrong.....  

Answer 4

haha, no no.

I don't think that is a fake doctor.

steroids are... obviously bad. however, steroids relax the body.

it relaxes the muscles when it is too tense. hope this helps

Answer 5

i have no idea im sorry

good luck with you mum though

x

Answer 6

Everyone is different my mother in law had cancer the Dr's said she would only live 3months and she lived for another 3years. I'm really sorry your mother has this problem all you can do is enjoy the time you have left together.