Regarding Lung and Liver Cancer

Hi just wondering if anyone out there could help me? my mother was dignosed with lung and liver cancer around month and half ago. Doctors said that they dont know how long she's had cancer, the doctors cannot do any more for her no cemo or any treatment because she's got enlanged heart. My mum has got to return to the hospital on 8 Dec for a chest x ray to see if the cancer has got any bigger in her lung. it is 4,4cm at the moment..I would like to know by anyone if people can get aggessive with the cancer because my mother is getting a bit aggessive and cannot settle at all. She cannot sleep at night and shes like in a world of her own. I keep asking her if shes in pain but she says no. I try and ask her whats wrong with her but all i get is "i'm all right" The doctors never said how long her life span would be and how would I know when the time will come. My mum also suffers from COPD and on 24 hours oxygen, she cannot live without it. She's lost all confirdence in going out and don't even sit outside. She just sits in the living room watching TV. I do hope someone out there can help me. Thank you

  • Hello Jackie 

    Welcome to the forum although I'm sorry to hear about Mum's disganosis. 

    Do you have a named nurse for Mum at the hospital or are the GP surgery helping at all with her care. It would be worth getting in touch with them to discuss your concerns and if neccesary they can arrange for Mum to be assessed. 

    We do have a team of nurses here at Cancer Research UK that you could also call to talk to if you think it would help. They are available Monday to Friday 9am-5pm on  0808 800 4040 (free to call from a UK landline). 

    Thinking of you all, 

    Jenn
    Cancer Chat moderator

  • Hi Jackie, I'm sorry to hear about your Mom being diagnosed with cancer. Her behaviour right now could be related to several issues, not all pain related. Perhaps when you ask her if she has pain, its' possible that she either has no pain, or if she does, she's not telling you for some reason. Also, there is another pain that no one really talks about and that is "emotional pain." I've lost many family members and friends to cancer and that is the one thing that no one talks about, but likely everyone with cancer suffers from. Only my brother came close to discussing it when he was dying with it. The other "pain" often not talked about is the "severe fatigue" that sets in and is likely because of several factors. So having said all of this, its' quite possible that your Mom doesn't have a lot of physical pain, but perhaps some of these other "pains" that go along with the disease. It would be good to talk with her treatment team, or the nurses here on this forum to help you in understanding your Mom's reluctance to do anything.

    Come back on to the forum and let us know how you get along, and also to get support for yourself as you take this journey with you Mom. Don't forget to take care of yourself.

    Lorraine