Cancer Research UK main site
  • Replies 10 replies
  • Views 2940 views
  • Users 0 members are here

Trying to Process a Parent’s Recent Diagnosis - how did you cope in those early days? I'm still struggling with the shock and finding it hard to function

GreyNotebook
Offline

I know many people here are dealing with very advanced situations, and having spent the morning reading through posts, I have huge respect for what you’re going through. I hesitated to post because my situation feels earlier in the journey, but I am here and posting because I realise I still need support and that it’s okay to ask for it.

One of my parents has recently been diagnosed with bowel cancer, I’m really struggling with the shock and how to process it while still trying to function day to day as a very busy guy. These past few days have been emotionally exhausting, I’m finding it hard to hold everything together.

I’m looking for guidance from others who remember those early days after diagnosis, how you coped, and anything that helped you manage your emotions and the uncertainty of the news.

I’m also here to offer support where I can.

Thank you.

Parents
  • Offline

    Hey, i appreciate this is a old postish. But im in a similar situation. My dad recently got diagnosed with stage 4 cancer , probably from his lungs. Its still very unknown. 

    I cant imagine what my dad is going through but i can see the effect on me and my mom, we are still in shock, and panic we go into when he feels any little bit ill or unwell.

    Im a busy girl with a quite mentally demanding job and i feel utterly exhausted. The issue is my dads not a go out type, so its hard to plan nice things along the way. But talking helps, feeling bad together helps, makes it real instead of pretending things are not happening. When my dad opens up a inch about the feelings we try to steer it in a positive direction. I would recommend taking a bit of time off as i defintely feel it would have helped process. 

    Apologies for my comment being all over the place. But We all need somewhere to talk, so you just got to keep at it and take steps at a time, but youre not alone . Good luck

Reply
  • Offline

    Hey, i appreciate this is a old postish. But im in a similar situation. My dad recently got diagnosed with stage 4 cancer , probably from his lungs. Its still very unknown. 

    I cant imagine what my dad is going through but i can see the effect on me and my mom, we are still in shock, and panic we go into when he feels any little bit ill or unwell.

    Im a busy girl with a quite mentally demanding job and i feel utterly exhausted. The issue is my dads not a go out type, so its hard to plan nice things along the way. But talking helps, feeling bad together helps, makes it real instead of pretending things are not happening. When my dad opens up a inch about the feelings we try to steer it in a positive direction. I would recommend taking a bit of time off as i defintely feel it would have helped process. 

    Apologies for my comment being all over the place. But We all need somewhere to talk, so you just got to keep at it and take steps at a time, but youre not alone . Good luck

Children
No Data

Speak to a nurse

Quick links

Follow us

Registered with Fundraising Regulator (logo)
Cancer Research UK is a registered charity in England and Wales (1089464), Scotland (SC041666), the Isle of Man (1103) and Jersey (247). A company limited by guarantee. Registered company in England and Wales (4325234) and the Isle of Man (5713F). Registered address: 2 Redman Place, London, E20 1JQ.