Questions for those in the Medical fields

  • Just informed my 58 yr. old brother-in-law has bone cancer in his spine. We are all in shock. He is now in intensive care trying to manage the pain...the med is so strong it makes his body start shutting down and he stops breathing.

    Tests have been run but no results until mid week. One Dr,. tells her he only has stage 1 cancer and the other says he will have to go straight to Hospice.
    They did a spinal tap and all they found was mush in his spine and holes all over his spine. This can't be good.

    I feel so helpless, I am in southern Florida and they are in Seattle, WA. she does have one daughter in the same area so she has their support daily. When she calls she just sounds numb and I think a bit confused as to what is going to happen or maybe just doesn't know yet.

    She told me it is terminal and they can give some radiation when they find out what all is going on but not until the test come back...just trying to find a way to ease the pain.

    I am just so lost, with little info so if any one can help me (good or bad news) I would appreciate it.

    Thanks, Phyllis
  • Wow Phyllis, I am sooo sorry for your family...I will pray for them...
  • Hi Phyllis,

    I'm so sorry to hear about your BIL. Is it your sister's husband, or your husband's brother? If I were you, I'd probably do some google searches for bone cancer in the spine, but from my experience, it most likely won't help. Even when you're there & talking with the doctors, you never really know what's going on. It seems like cancer affects everyone differently.

    I will keep you and your family in my thoughts and prayers,

    Lynn
  • All you can do is be there for them. And yes, do some research on this to better understand it because based from my experience, doctors generally don't agree with one another very often. Besides, the more you know, the less helpless you feel sometimes. Praying for you!
  • Phyllis,

    I am so sorry to hear the bad news. You are all in my thoughts and prayers. I don't know anything about the subject and I am not in the medical field. I wish your BIL all the best.
  • Phyllis,
    I will PM you...and God Bless.
    Allie
  • Hugs to you Phyllis... so sorry -

    I usually start here when I need to research something... Good luck!