Hi MaryCE 13, and a warm welcome to the forum, I am sorry to hear your mums chemotherapy hasn't helped, it's good to hear her calcium levels have improved and she's doing better. As someone who used to work in palliative/end of life care, and who is now on it, and for over a year, my understanding is it refers to the care for anyone with a life shortening illness, up to 1 year is often mentioned, but as we know there is a lot of guesswork with any prognosis, your mum sounds like a strong resilient lady. my best wishes to you both.

Eddie

Thank you for your reply, sorry to hear your news. Yes the wording is very confusing, my mum is a fighter who amazes me all the time with how well she deals with her diagnosis and everything that comes along. I’m going to be taking it day by day. I wish you all the best. 

Thank you, Mary, but I'm doing ok, and hopefully for some time yet, as I hope is the same for your amazing mum, every day is a new day,  works for me,  best wishes.

Eddie xx 

Hi MaryCE13 and thank you for posting,

I am sorry to learn of your mum's situation this must be a difficult time for you all.

It is good that the calcium levels have dropped and your mum is at the moment feeling better, but I can appreciate this is confusing for you.

It sounds like the doctors are no longer treating the cancer itself but they will continue to manage your mum's symptoms such as high levels of calcium. Unfortunately, the calcium levels may become raised again and as the cancer progresses she is likely to become unwell. I am sorry and I appreciate this may be difficult to read.

It would be best to discuss this further with the team looking after your mum. They know her situation and can discuss with you how they will manage any future symptoms.

I wondered if your mum has been referred to the palliative care team. These specialists manage symptoms and can provide emotional support to your mum and family.

Palliative care/ Macmillan nurses are involved in the team if this has not been done already, your mum's specialist/nurse specialist or GP can make a referral on her behalf. They can be both hospital and community-based.

I hope this reply is useful. If you would like to talk things through with one of our nurses on the helpline, the freephone number to call is 0808 800 4040 and we are available between 9am and 5pm Monday to Friday,.

Take care,

Jemma