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My mother has end stage liver cancer

TrashPanda
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My mother has end stage liver cancer were not sure how long she has left she was given teo month to live back in august but we are so thankful she is still here! Her pain has been getting worse but is still up and around sometimes, just very sleepy most of the time. She has been complaining of pain in her left arm, from her shoulder down to her wrist, she exolains this as bone pain but burning to the skin. She is now unable to lift her arm up to even wash her hair. Any advice is really appreciaited on what this could be ?

  • Hello there and thanks for posting

    I am sorry to hear about your mother's situation but it is good to hear she has out lived the doctors expectations.

    It can be difficult to predict how long someone may have or what symptoms they may experience along the way and there could be several reasons for this arm pain.

    Without being involved in her care or being able to take a look at your mothers arm no one here can say what the cause may be. I suggest if you haven't already done so to ask the GP or palliative care nurse ( sometimes called Macmillan nurse) if your mother has one to take a look and properly assess this.

    It could well be nerve pain as this can cause a tingling burning sensation to the skin and can be extremely painful. The doctor or nurse can arrange for a change in pain medication if necessary to try and help ease things for your mother, so do speak to them when you can.

    Do get back if you have more questions or alternatively give us a call on 0808 800 4040 where we would be happy to speak to you over the phone. We're here weekdays 9-5 on 0808 800 4040.

    Best wishes

    Naomi

  • Offline in reply to CRUK Nurse Naomi

    Thank you for your relpy,

     

    Unfortunatley my mother cant get any help from McMillan because she has not had an official diagnosis due to failed biopsy results its all been a nightmare no support from the Hospitals really. She has a district nurse shes going to speak to this week to see whats going on. The next step pain wise is a syringe driver but she refuses to have one its a difficult time.

  • in reply to TrashPanda

    Thanks for getting back to us

    Whilst a Macmillan nurse may not be possible community palliative care teams are involved with any patient with a life limiting illness not just those with diagnosed with cancer. So it is worth asking the GP if your mother has been referred or is known to them already, as she may well be. A palliative care teams main function is to manage and control symptoms so if the pain is becoming out of control they can step in with suggestions that hopefully will help.

    As you say district nurses are often a large part of community care so it is good to hear your mother is already under them. They are able to set up a syringe driver if your mother was willing to accept but I understand she may not wish to entertain this at the moment.

    Maybe a nurse or doctor could sit down and have a discussion with her so she has a better understanding of what the syringe will be for and take away any fears or pre conceived ideas she may have about them.

    This must be such a difficult time for you all but I hope you are able to get the help and support you and your mother need at this time.

    Take care and do get back again if helpful.

    Naomi

  • Offline in reply to CRUK Nurse Naomi

    Thank you so much for your help. She's just so scared that a syringe driver would mean the end. I know its not it would just help her pain more but shes terrified if she just stops then thats it for her. Fingers crossed the nurse can sort her an appointment to get her arm checked out ASAP.

  • Offline in reply to TrashPanda

    Hi TrashPanda,

    Just something to note that may be of interest to your mother.

    I've been on a syringe driver since Sept/2022 and I think it's great. Keeps an even level of pain relief over 24 hours, rather than the up/down of taking tablets. Also, because I have a colostomy, I get better absorbsion of the medicine.

    I was asked if I wanted it out - 

    I said no.

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