Hello Janjans,

l am sorry to read that you and your Mum find yourself in such a hard place,and it only gets more difficult as the patient gets older.

l suspect the consultant was alluding to the fact that he did not feel that the anaethetist would be prepared to sedate your Mum for an operation due to existing health issues.Its not the surgeon who commands the go ahead for operation,its the other way around, no sedation,no OP as l have  discovered in the past.

As for the Chemo it depends on what type as some treatments are a lot harder than others and having gone through stage 3 bowel cancer chemo at 62 l can attest it is brutal and l was very fit with no existing health complications.

l underwent radio/ chemo within a month of diagnosis and within 4 weeks of a 6 week treatment staying upright for more than afew hours a day was a challenge. 8 weeks later it had spread to the liver.My fightback took a good 5 years out of my life to get back to anything approaching stability, and those 5 years were gruelling

lt looks like age and health issues are playing a crucial role in your mothers future treatment and it may be that a gentler pallative care regime may be an option to extend her life with a better quality ofthe time left to her. For sure l am now just about to turn 74, active and enjoying life, but knowing what is involved should my cancer return l would not go through another operation.

Remember you should always ask for a second opinion if you are unhappy with the original assessment, its a lot to take in when you are being told of limited treatment options and you need to be sure within your own minds.

l hope it becomes easier and clearer for you in the future,

David