Hi, (TLDR-my mom wants to stop treatment other than current meds and I'm not sure what this means, Lung cancer, stage IV, diagnosed in 2022)
A bit of background. My mom (now 78F) was diagnosed with stage IV ALK-positive lung cancer in June of 2022. This cancer is unique in that a targeted therapy (pills) can be used to treat. She started on Alectinib within a few months. When diagnosed she already had a met to the brain and a pulmonary embolism. The met was treated with stereotactic brain surgery and radiation which was successful. She has been on Eliquis ever since. She suffered from what was believed to be hemolytic anemia early in 2023 and was taken off of Alectinib.
Decision was made to have her move to where I live as there was better health care. She moved into an independent living facility and began lorlatinib as a secondary treatment. She had amazing response.
Fast-forward to 2024 where a few things happened-she was diagnosed with congestive health failure (requiring hospitalization) and Afib, requiring a pacemaker. She also presented with a new brain met and underwent a second stereotactic surgery. She was also involved in a serious car crash in late December, resulting in her lorlatinib and eliquis being held.
In late January of 2025 it was determined she had a new pulmonary embolism requiring a hospital stay. She was still showing quite a bit of swelling in the brain and so it was decided to do a litt procedure and biopsy to reduce swelling and make sure no more cancer. Neurologist performed with minimal complications.
Fast forward to now and most recent ct scan shows new suspected cancer growth in lung. Not fast growing and only in the lung. My mom informed me that she doesn't want to undergo the biopsy and pet scan being recommended because she does not want any more treatment (other than her lorlatinib). I want to support and honor her decision but I am scared of what this will mean. Anyone else gone through something similar? How can I prepare for what is to come.