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Brain Tumors/stage iv melanoma with brain mets

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Expert: - 3/17/2008


Question
my 37 yr old sister is in a nursing home with stage iv melanoma, she is now on a liquid and very soft diet as she has stopped chewing her food and would hold it in her mouth. she is sleeping more and doesn't know me anymore, do yu think she is in the dying process? we were told she would be there 8 weeks, and now has been 14 weeks, also can you tell me the difference between hospice and a nursing home---thanks jane

Answer
It is impossible to predict survival times with any accuracy. Yes she is slowly dying. Well I'm a Swede living in Sweden. I do not know what the difference between these 2 things is where you are.  Hospice for me is a place especially dedicated to take care of patients approaching death. And doing it in a difficult way. I'm sorry I have nothing better to tell you!  

Brain Tumors

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Claes-Gustaf Nordquist, M.D.

Expertise

I`m a doctor of medicine and specialist in radiation therapy and medical oncology. I have a long time experience of these tumours.

Experience

I'm a Doctor of Medicine and specialist in Medical Oncology and Radiation Therapy, educated and trained in Sweden. Now retired. Background in Radiation Therapy, Medical Oncology, Radiation Protection, Nuclear Medicine, Diagnostic Radiology, Gynecological Oncology, Clinical Pathology, Clinical Cytology,Hematology and Internal Medicine. M.D. from the faculty of medicine, Royal Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden. Have also been an exchange student at the Hebrew University, Hadassah Medical School, Jerusalem Israel. Former medical consultant, Swedish National Board of Radiation Protection. Former Police Surgeon and Medical Examiner, Stockholm Police Department. Former Chief Medical Officer, The Royal Guards, The Royal Horse Guards and the Royal Household Brigade, Royal Swedish Army Medical Corps. You can also reach me on: http://www.lifestylerescue.com/expert/health-fitness-advice/dr-claes-gustaf/128 . I have no restrictions on the number of questions there. I also answer questions about Oncology (General Cancer), General History, Military History, Breast Cancer, Colon Cancer.

Education/Credentials
Doctor of medicine, specialist in medical oncology & radiation therapy.

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