Expert: Claes-Gustaf Nordquist, M.D. - 10/14/2009

Question
QUESTION: My mother-in-law just completed 6 weeks of radiation and was taking Tempor chemo tabs......She has been in the hosp.since last Thurs.has had a blood transfusion,lesions in her nose ,on her lips,down to 75lbs.'an unknown infection'she is not eating or drinking;potassium and antiboitics only.She's DNR.My question is how much longer will she suffer?

ANSWER: When was she diagnosed? Has she been operated too? If so when? Without full information it is difficult or impossible to help you. But her survival time can AT MOST be measured in months. From your description it may be MUCH shorter. That is all I can tell you so far unfortunately.


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: yes she had surgery on the right side and doc.said he was as aggressive as he could be given the location.her blood platelets dropped down to 43 yesterday so they gave her a bag.surgery was july 1st.given the fact that she hasn't eaten or drank by mouth since last friday is it fair to say that her days are severly numbered?surely a bag of potassium can not keep her alive.It's hurting me deeply to see her suffer as she is.how long do you think the good lord is going to keep her suffering?

Answer
Well, glioblastoma multiforme tumor cases can live at most around one year or a little longer from primary treatment but they can pass away at any moment. In this case it will probably happen MUCH sooner but how soon is anybody's guess unfortunately. I'm sorry I can not be more precise.