My mum has cancer and I’m scared I'm going to lose her - how do you cope with this?

hi,

uhm I'm not sure was to say but this is the second time my mum has had cancer and I’m so scared I’m going to loose her, she’s my only parental figure and if I lose her I lose everything, I'm so scared she won’t be able to fight through it again. Please give me coping mechanisms or something. I don’t know what to do

  • Hello everyoneknowscee, 

    I am so sorry your mum is going through cancer again - what a difficult time it must be for you as you've been through all this before and it's normal when cancer returns to fear the worst. Have you been given any information as to what to expect and whether your mum will be given a treatment plan soon? Sometimes the worst thing is having to deal with the uncertainty, the not knowing exactly what to expect and having to wait for clarifications from the specialists and if that's the case it's best to keep well away from the temptation to look things up online as this will only make you feel more anxious and anticipate the worst. Don't be afraid instead to ask questions to your mum's medical team as they will be in the best position to reassure you and to guide you through what to expect. 

    I will now let members of our community who have been through something similar come and share their coping mechanisms with you. What may work for one person may not be as effective for another so it can be a bit of trial and error to find the right coping strategies that work for you. I hope that you have good support around you to help you during this difficult time - surrounding yourself with loving and caring people at a time when you need it the most can also go a long way to make you feel a little bit better and help you cope with what lies ahead. And by loving and caring people, I am not just thinking of your friends and family but also members of this community who may not know you in person but who have faced similar challenges. 

    Best wishes to you and your mum, 

    Lucie, Cancer Chat Moderator