Mam diagnosed with incurable Stage 4 lung cancer spread to brain and bone. Struggling to cope

My mam is 53, and over the past 3 weeks my world has been torn and ripped apart by her cancer diagnosis. She had a sore shoulder for months and was told this was a gym injury, she then developed dizziness/vomitting and feeling unsteady on her feet, was then told this was vertigo. 

She went back to GP after tablets for vertigo not working, they sent her to A&E due to worsening in symptoms and she had scans done. Scans showed large brain tumour which was blocking spinal fluid which was causing the symptoms, they think there are another 4 brain tumours. They done full body scans and we have been told she likely has primary lung cancer, which has spread to bone (shoulder) and brain. She has just had lung biopsy to determine type and they removed large brain tumour. They have told us she is not able to be cured and any treatment will be to prolong her life. They think she may need whole brain radio which comes with its own complications. 4 weeks ago my mam was running, doing workout classes, weights, working and going on holidays etc - she was so fit , healthy and full of life. 

I’m due to get married in a few months and now worried about this, not excited for this at all and now feel guilty on my partner for this. I’m so close to my mam, also have 17 year old brother and older sister who has a new baby. I’m a nurse and have taken time off as feel unable to cop with work and trying to prioritise being there for her and my family. Worried she may not have long left, and feel like I can’t bare to live without her. I feel hopeless and not finding any joy or happiness in anything. Can anyone give any advice or words which may help? 

  • Hi MrsA12345, 

    I am so sorry to hear about your mam's recent cancer diagnosis. What a shock and devastating news it must have been to find out she has lung cancer which has spread to the brain and bones. It sounds like it all happened so quickly with your mam going from being able to do all these activities, being so healthy and full of life to finding herself suddenly suffering from vertigo and feeling unsteady on her feet. It's normal for this to affect you so much and for it to be putting a damper on your wedding preparations and it can be hard to focus on something lovely and positive like your wedding when this is going on but don't feel guilty you are doing the best you can in extremely difficult circumstances. You are right to take time off if you feel you need a bit of time to rest and to be with your mum at the moment. 

    I just wanted you to know we are all here for you and you will find others on this forum who understand and know what it's like to be in your position. If you feel that you are struggling to find joy or happiness in anything, it might be worth talking to your GP about it so that you can get a bit of help during this hard time. 

    Sometimes it's nice to hear from other people's shared experiences so I will now let others come and say hello and give you comforting words to help you cope during this challenging time. You might also be interested to read the information we have for family, friends and carers which gives good tips on how to support someone with cancer but also on making sure you don't forget - and that's easy to do - to take care of yourself

    Best wishes, 

    Lucie, Cancer Chat Moderator