Hi Kelly

Welcome to the forum and I hopeby replying this will bump your post back to the top of the pile in the hope that more folk will come along to offer their thoughts too.  It sounds as though you are already doing everything you can for  you Mum in very difficult circumstances.  As she has mobility issues it may be worth approaching both GP/Community Nurses and or social services both of whom were very helpful when I travelled the cancer journey with my husband. with supplying appropriate 'aids' to help keep her comfortable and mobile even within the home.

You are so right in knowing that you too need to take a break in order to be able to cope so maybe there are other family or friends who could pop in if you do not leaving Mum by herself.

If Mum has pain issues then do get her to talk to her medical team/chemo nurses about this when she has her appointment as there are many drugs that can help with the side effects of both the cancer and treatment. Wishing you both all the very best. Jules54

Hi Jules54,

Thank you for your reply. 

We have been to the GP nd he says its just part and parcel of the radiotherapy. As for Community Nurses, we haven't seen anyone or heard of anyone since mum was diagnoised.

My sisters aren't much help as they have their own children and lives and I live at home so I take on the role of 'carer'.

To be honest I don't really even know want I want from this, I just read through a lot of others peoples post and could relates tremendously. I thank you for your advice.

:)

Hi again

My husband did not have radiotherapy so not sure about what side effects come alongside this type of treatment though when a friend of mine had  this treatment I do remember  a great deal of fatigue being an issue for her. 

We were lucky in that hubby consultant oncologist was in touch directly with GP and when the time came for hubby to need community nurses to call, this was arranged by his palliative care team - the community/district nurses being the answer.  We had a number to ring at the hospital where he was an outpatient for both advice and support and I am begining to realise, having read so many differing stories on this chat forum, that this is not always the norm.  Unfortunately sometimes it's necessary to 'keep asking' if you need support.  Though my daughter had two young children she and her brother (neither were at home) both helped me have 'time out' during the three year journey (I do not have siblings) and we have some very caring friends who would visiit at the drop of a hat.  In our own circumstances in the later stages of his illness I was only too aware that I could not manage alone emotionally as well as practically (not always easy to admit it though!!).

Hope when you Mum has her next appointment you will be able to express your concerns and ask for extra support if she needs it.  All the very best. Jules

Hi again

My husband did not have radiotherapy so not sure about what side effects come alongside this type of treatment though when a friend of mine had  this treatment I do remember  a great deal of fatigue being an issue for her. 

We were lucky in that hubby consultant oncologist was in touch directly with GP and when the time came for hubby to need community nurses to call, this was arranged by his palliative care team - the community/district nurses being the answer.  We had a number to ring at the hospital where he was an outpatient for both advice and support and I am begining to realise, having read so many differing stories on this chat forum, that this is not always the norm.  Unfortunately sometimes it's necessary to 'keep asking' if you need support.  Though my daughter had two young children she and her brother (neither were at home) both helped me have 'time out' during the three year journey (I do not have siblings) and we have some very caring friends who would visiit at the drop of a hat.  In our own circumstances in the later stages of his illness I was only too aware that I could not manage alone emotionally as well as practically (not always easy to admit it though!!).

Hope when you Mum has her next appointment you will be able to express your concerns and ask for extra support if she needs it.  All the very best. Jules