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Post by daniella on Mar 31, 2012 13:04:48 GMT -6
Hello,
My grandmother was just diagnosed with a SCT in her lower back. She is in great pain, taking lots of pain meds, doesn't have an appetite, and lies on her back in the hospital bed all the time falling in and out of sleep. She is very drowsy from the meds and trauma she is undergoing. We can't start any treatment on the tumor until we get a full diagnosis as to what type it is, which seems to be taking forever. Does anyone have any suggestions as to how we can help her to move her body at this stage, so she isn't just lying on her back at all times? Is it very dangerous for her to not be moving or changing positions? We got her to lie on her side for 1 hour yesterday, but the discomfort is too much for her. Should we try to find a way to move her onto her stomach?
Any advice is greatly appreciated. She has always been a very healthy, intelligent, independent woman, and this is such a shock to us all.
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Post by Deborah on Mar 31, 2012 13:46:28 GMT -6
Not sure moving her too much is a good thing. With SCTs, risk of paralysis from spinal cord compression is a concern. Maybe try massage? That helped me a lot...shoulders, scalp, arms, legs (if she can stand it). Very sorry she's going thru this. Thank you for helping her and being so supportive! That's the most important part of dealing with an SCT psychologically.
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Post by kansasmom on Mar 31, 2012 14:54:06 GMT -6
Is your grandmother lying flat? Before my son had surgery for his spinal cord tumor he found lying flat on his back to be the least comfortable position of all. I suggest you ask staff about raising the head of her bed. Also, ask them about the risk of pressure sores and what they are doing to combat that. To help her be in a different position (if the docs OK that) use lots of pillows. You can put a pillow between her knees and one behind her back so that she is partly on her side.
Also ask if your grandma is at risk of blood clots if she is not moving. If you don't get explanations and answers keep asking until you get them. Have someone stay with her if possible so that she has an advocate to talk to the docs. If you know someone who is a nurse or a doctor ask them to help you talk with the docs. Is she on dexamethasone? If you don't know ask about that too. Dexamethasone reduces inflammation and my son was given it before surgery. If you want to consider having your grandmother transferred to another hospital please tell us where you are and folks here can suggest the best docs.
I'm sending you a hug <>
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Post by m1ta on Mar 31, 2012 16:09:10 GMT -6
Hi Daniella sorry to hear of your grandmothers SCT problems,
If your grandmother is currently confined to her bed her main risks are from deep vain thrombosis and pressure sores.
The standard preventative measures for DVT are anti embolism stockings and some form of anti clotting drug such as Clexane. Depending on your grandmothers general condition and level of pain the doctors/nurses/therapists may also recommend some gentle leg exercise that can be done on the bed.
To prevent pressure sores the nurses should be assisting your grandmother to alter her position in bed at regular intervals. She still may be primarily on her back but one area of the skin must not be in contact with the bed for too long. An alternating airflow mattress may also be used, as this gently alters the part of the body in contact with the bed.
As Kansasmom has said pillows are useful for both support and for lifting an area of the skin away from the bed. If I'm sleeping on my side I generally put a pillow in my back as it feels much more comfortable.
Again, as Kansasmom said, your grandmother should be on a drug that will reduce inflamation around the spinal cord and alleviate some of the spinal cord compression. This is usually some form of steroid such as Dexamthasone. This may also help with your grandmother's pain.
Don't be afraid to ask the doctors and nursing staff - even put a little pressure on them if you feel they are not providing the care your grandmother needs.
All the best,
James.
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Post by daniella on Apr 1, 2012 15:24:47 GMT -6
Thank you all so much. Your support is priceless, and this information is very helpful and motivating. My mother or aunt are with my grandmother at all times. I have passed this on to them, and they are speaking with the hospital staff at this moment. We will be sure to try all your suggestions, and hopefully we can get her moving again soon.
All my best,
Daniella
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Post by oduzorodux on Apr 19, 2019 11:37:26 GMT -6
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