My mums on end of life care and its breaking me

So mum beat small cell lung cancer a few years ago and its randomly come back and just full on invaded her body in such a short space of time. She went to hospital almost 4 weeks ago with what we thought was sepsis from a UTI, after many antibiotics the docs decided to do a CT where they found it wasn't sepsis but the cancer was back and had taken over her liver and lymphnodes as well as her lung She was too poorly ro have any treatment to fight the cancer and shes gone from having maybe a good few weeks to months to only days. Shes not eating, drinking or even speaking now. I'm watching my beautiful brave mum fade away and I feel so useless coz I cant help. I've done everything I can care wise, anything to try and get her well enough for treatment and now all I can get out of her is maybe 1 word if im lucky. This is killing me, I dont know how to be without my mum. Shes everything to me. I dont understand how this has happened, how did they not see it on the scans a few weeks before hand? How has it invaded so fast and sucked the life out of her the way it has? Ironically the one person i want to talk to about this is my mum, but shes not had mental capacity for most of her hospital stay and I don't think remembers the doc saying its spread and will kill her. So even when she was talking, it would have been cruel to remind her, I dont want her to be scared of whats to come.the end of life team came to me yesterday and it drove it home that this is really happening and I'm gonna lose her. Everyone keeps asking me how I'm doing and I dont know what to tell them coz im feeling everything at once but also numb. I cant fathom a world where my mums not in it. I keep telling everyone we.will be ok and gwt through but really I haven't a clue how to ever bounce back from whas to come. This is brutal and cruel and no one should have to go through it. I need my mummy

  • Hello Jellybean210113

    I wanted to reply to your post so that you know you've been seen. I am so sorry to hear about just how rapidly your Mum's cancer has taken over her body. It's devastating to see a loved one in this situation. 

    It's good to hear that the palliative team have been to see her and hopefully they will be able to keep your Mum comfortable over the coming days. Do lean on them and the other health professionals caring for your Mum during this difficult time. 

    I hope that you have some support from friends and other family members around you. Please know that the Cancer Chat community is here for you 24/7 if it helps to have a safe space to put down in writing how you're feeling. If it would help to talk with one of our team of nurses at any point, you can call them on 0808 800 4040, Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm. I know they will be happy to listen and offer any advice, information and support they can. 

    Undoubtedly, this is an incredibly difficult time for you Jellybean210113. Our thoughts are with you and your Mum as she completes this journey. Keep in touch. We're here for you. 

    Best wishes, 
    Jenn
    Cancer Chat moderator