Monday, June 16, 2008

How can I make a patient with lung and brain cancer more comfortable

How can I make a patient with lung and brain cancer more comfortable?
My mom has lung cancer that has spread to the brain. Her head is titled down and can't lay down right or eat a lot.
Cancer - 9 Answers
Random Answers, Critics, Comments, Opinions :
1 :
see if they'll give her a steady drip of morphine. If she's not allergic to it that is. It will relax her entire system. I wish you both best of luck
2 :
Being with her is the most important thing, she will feel many different ways, she will grieve the loss of many of her functions. I have done much work with palliative patients, and the best I could often to was just sit with them and hold their hands. Often just being available is comfort enough.
3 :
Is your mom on any palliative care with a nursing agency? Your being there is very important, but there are services that a nursing agency can offer for your mother that will ease this transition for all involved. I am so sorry to hear about your mother.
4 :
What a great responsibility you have. Get into contact with Hospice. They will help you and show you what you can do for her. They will also be able to assess whether she needs help with nutrition or pain relief.
5 :
give them some weed man! it will relax them
6 :
Soft pillows to help with repositioning.
7 :
talk to ur local pain management nurse .....n make sure she has everything available 4 her comfort. I mean make sure u know wot is available 4 her drug wise but also mattress n pillows, ask the hospice in ur area wot they would recommend ....familiar smells around her will bring comfort to....favorite flowers maybe? n if shes up 4 sum music n of course talking is a gr8 comfort to ill ppl.....n touch if she can bear it. All the very best 4 u n ur mother xxxx
8 :
The best thing to do is treat her normaly...You never want to treat somebody with an illness like they cant do anything. Ask some of the nurses if they could do anything to make her more comfterble. You really cant do anything that will take this away from her. Just be there for her and talk about the "good ole days" Bring stuff from home to the hospital and make her feel like shes at home. Thats all I can say!
9 :
Show him/her a reason to fight for her life. Life is just too precious to waste. There's no reason not to fight. It might be all you have left but it's also all you have left to do.

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