Middle of the night questions - mum was diagnosed the other day. Wondering what chemo will be like and how to look after her

Hello, 

Mum was diagnosed yesterday and it’s now the middle of the night, can’t sleep and have googled all manner of things. 

I was going to list the questions swirling around in my head but I don’t think they’re answerable on this forum. 

We are waiting for an oncology appointment to get started with chemotherapy.  

Do you stay with the person you are caring for whilst they have their chemotherapy?  

  • HI Hollyblue

    At our clinic they will allow a carer to accompany the patient but otherwise discourage others attending. I think it is for infection control plus a lack of space.

    Ed

  • PS do not google take one bridge at a time.

  • If you must Google, only do it to try and find a UK charity that specialises in the type of cancer your mum has. They will have lots of information & may have a community forum.

    If you find yourself being unable to sleep, get up, make a hot milky drink and sit with a notepad to list all the questions you would like answering. Then go to bed! The next day, look at your list and see if there is anything you feel you can ask on here (which is mostly anything - if anyone has been through the same experience they can tell you. Or put it in the Ask a Nurse section). 

    Good luck to you both, I hope mum's treatment kicks the cancer to the wall.

    Angie (Stage 3 melanoma patient since 2009)

  • Hi there, 

    I'm so sorry to hear about your Mum :( My Mum's battled a long time with cancer so I know this journey too well by this point. With chemo, my Mum most of the time attended on her own. She preferred it that way as she'd often like to sleep through it. I did go a few times but it was a struggle around work. I guess everyone is different x

  • Hi Hollyblue, sorry to hear about your Mum.  I am having treatment at the moment and I like having someone go with me, just for the moral support.  Good luck with your Mums journey.

  • Hi Hollyblue 

    Im sorry your Mum has to go through this 

    All good advice below

    • i would ask your mums team as my hubby hospital doesnt allow anyone to stay during chemo plus put together a chemo bag of things for Mums comport it will be a long day for her 

    Sending good wishes to you both

  • Thank you. It sounds like to can vary on whether you can stay, I will find out.

    what kind of things could I put in the bag? 

  • Hi Hollyblue

    Warm jumper or similar some chemo can make them sensitive to cold ( hospital blankets are thin)

    Phone and charger 

    Book magazine kindle   head phones or what your Mum would prefer  it will help pass the time

    My hubby took fizzy drinks and snacks  because they were what he likes.

    Hope this helps 

  • Hi Holly blue

    Sorry to hear about your mum, it is not nice to have to go through this, but let's be clear we must always expect the best results. 

    My wife has had cervical cancer since 2020 and l go to all her chemo and oncology appointments. We all need each other. I can only say be as supportive as you can be for your mum. Also be as informed as you can be, l research everything and have found it to be very helpful. Please except my best wishes for your mum and yourself and get as much support as you can.