She has had a pain in her leg for a very long time. No one has been able to figure out what that pain is or why she has it, but the only "treatment" that has brought any releif to my mom in the past was physical therapy. Her primary care physician has written a prescription for PT three times now, and each time Hospice says no. When I asked the Hospice social worker about this he said "if she's got pain we'll just up her pain medication." He went on to explain that PT was contraindicated as it would give my mother mobility and that she might fall. He said not to worry, it's better to medicate and keep them either in bed or in the wheel chair, and as time goes by cancer patients become easier to care for as the medication increases.

My mother has always expressed the desire to get a second opinion and to fight as much as is possible. She was finally allowed to see a doctor for a second opinion, and he recommended chemotherapy. What's happened since is that my mother's "pain" medication seems to have been increased yet again, because now I can't even hold a conversation with her (she is now hallucinating constantly now. She has hired a full-time, 24 hour care nurse (actually, they do two 12 hour shifts) at over $8000 per month and doesn't even know she's paying for it or that she's still in her own house (she thinks she's in a house just like hers except it's in Ireland).

I am at my wits end. She is already supposed to be dead according to the oncologist who diagnosed her (based on X-ray and PET scan. No biopsy or followup tests) and yet has no symptoms related to the cancer (she's a heavy smoker and has always had a cough. She has no pain except in her leg, but I've been assured time and time again that this is not cancer related. She is tired, but then she gets no excercise. She is short of breath but then as I said has been a very heavy smoker.

Please, please advise.

-one thing you could do right away: your mom may have more than one doctor by now.... find out which doc is managing the hospice care, and call him.... he is likely to be your best ally here. hospice has lots of help for family members, including legal/financial. if you are unsure of your standing with her doctors, they can help.

-That is utter Bull. I live quite happily with my 1.5 cm lungtumor and my
0.5 met on the adrenal. No pain at all. My fibro hurts. Paracetemol takes care of that. Why does she need a nurse and hospice? Chemo and radiation will shrink the tumor and give heer a longer symptom free life. get the hospice care packing, a second opinion and get on with the treament.