MRI yesterday found mass

[elleng]

in mother's cervical spine. She's 88, in mid-stage dementia, and was bright and responsive in conversation after brain mri, when she described 'fantasy' ride, which I took to have been a dream of mri experience.

She had a second mri, late night. Responsive this morning, according to nurse, and ate breakfast; later, with my visit, after she ate a bit of lunch, she again went into 'fantasy,' and continued in what I'd call a delusional manner. 'Slept,' with mouth open on and off, which continued during visit with radiation oncologist, tho she was somewhat responsive to some of his questions. 'Slept' until I left.

Looked ill, which has not been the case before.

Has anyone had/heard of similar experience after mri? She's not on any 'new' meds, we're deciding treatment now, and I'm wondering whether something 'new' or significant occurred during mri.

Would appreciate thoughts, and time is of the essence, obviously.

Thanks.

[mopinko]

1. no advise, just

:hug: :hug: and maybe :beer:

[elleng]

2. Thanks,

mopinko.

[mopinko]

3. keep us informed

i know the lurkers are on your side, too.

[Warpy]

4. The MRI didn't do it, although she might have gotten

some light sedation before it. That's pretty standard procedure with demented patients who are easily frightened by all the machinery.

Your next choice will be whether to put her through a surgery to debulk the mass or to let nature take its course. You will need to decide this with your dad. If you decide the latter, hospice services will afford her as much dignity and comfort as possible.

In any case, view her dementia right now as a protective thing, keeping her from realizing how gravely ill she is and keeping her from being in a constant state of fear.

Enjoy her every minute you have her, delusional or lucid.

[elleng]

5. THANK YOU, Warpy and all.

I forgot to ask whether she received sedation before the procedure; she said nothing about being afraid of machinery and i've heard nothing, but as I wasn't right there at the time, I don't know. If i remember, I'll ask staff.

Surgery is not feasible, and Docs don't recommend it; would require 2 major procedures, one through front of neck, one through rear, and they see little benefit, considering her age; doubt that she'd get much if any use of legs and arms back. Same with radiation. Shrinking the mass would relieve some pressure from spinal cord, but a full course would result in sore throat for weeks, lack of ability to swallow. Don't think that's a feature of her life we want to eliminate now, as meals/eating/food an important part of our family life.

At this point, I'm about to look at nursing homes for her long-term care (and maybe including nearby apartment for dad.) Facility must have excellent rehab/phys therapy, as pneumonia in sedentary is usually the final stage, I'm told.

She was bright, communicative and funny today, ate 'every bit' of her breakfast. We were SO RELIEVED to see her back to her normal self! Even 'normal' evidence of dementia was somehow comforting, knowing we have her back! She jokes about dad's habits, enjoys our aide, Miria, tremendously, SO likes looking nice, teeth and hair brushed, lipstick on. I never realized how important these things are to her! I have a lovely photo of her, which I'll have framed now.

You are absolutely correct about dementia as protective; she asks why she's there (in hosp) and I say docs trying to figure out why your arms and legs aren't working so well. I think that should get us through. Moving to new place, where she can receive all the care and attention she needs, should not be difficult. Hope we can work out suitable arrangement for dad, as he doesn't drive now and has no car, AND she regularly asks, 'Where's Bob?'

Thanks SO MUCH for your thoughts, Warpy; as you can see from my extended response, I have many things on my mind and am relieved to be able to share with you. Brother on way back from business trip in India, have spoken with sister in law, and have to pray for Bill's strength on hearing the news. Dad was/is very scared that she'll suffer 'horribly,' and I (and Doc.) said that WOULD NOT occur. My birth mother died of metasticized breast cancer 55? years ago, so he's been through quite enough.

Thanks again, E.

[blondie58]

6. oh, ellen I am so sorry that you're going through this

yeah, and I'm thinking that she must have been under sedation, as being in an MRI is anything but a relaxing experience. It is like being in a giant tin can filled with marbles that a giant is shaking. What is the mass showing in her mri fromm? Does the doctor have any ideas? Good luck, and keep us posted.

[elleng]

dupe

...

[elleng]

7. blondie,

they think it metasticized from lump she had removed years ago. (She had radiation at the time, and has been taking tamoxifen since, for everyone's info.)

We're deciding how to treat it right now. Brother and I received different info from Docs (by phone.) Hope we can have a conference Monday between oncolog and radiation oncolog.

She was unable to stay still for what we hoped might be some radiation, so we're faced with the decision: heavily sedate her, with the consequences to dementia and undertain ultimate benefits, or 'do nothing.' Other side effects of radiation include sore throat which will likely cause some inability to eat, for some unknown period of time. I'm concerned about effects on her mental state of all of this. She's still engaging and often engaged in what's happening.

Also looking for a place for her to reside, after hospital. Choices between hospice and several nursing homes. Hospice no longer only accepts residents in last month or so of life.

So, thanks for asking. I'm hanging here in Florida.

E