Hello and thanks for your post,

I am sorry to hear about your mum. I can understand what a really horrible and unsettling time it must be for you all.

Unfortunately diagnosing someone with cancer is not always straight forward. It is a bit like a jigsaw puzzle piecing all the different tests together to find out where the cancer started.

Usually a selection of blood tests and scans are needed to find out more. In deciding how to treat a cancer the doctors try to establish where a cancer started as this will help them in decisions about what treatment to offer your mum.

The scans and blood tests are reviewed in a formal meeting called an MDT (Multi Disciplinary Team ) meeting where all the different doctors involved in her care meet to review the tests and scans that they have. They usually try to get a biopsy of the cancer which will give the doctors more of an idea of where the cancer started. 

I would try if you can at this stage not to read too much on the internet which is general and will not get to the bottom as to why your mum has all her different symptoms.

I can understand that it can seem like a long drawn out process but how cancer is treated is so different depending on where the original cancer started.

Take one day at a time and don't think too far ahead.

In the meantime if you or your mum want to ring and chat through things with one of the nurses on the helpline then you are more then welcome to do so. The number to call is Freephone 0808 800 4040 and the lines are open from 9am till 5pm Monday to Friday.

All the Best,

Catherine