My Mum has cancer

My Mum was diagnosed withl lung cancer 6years ago. she has had half her lung removed, she has had chemo, radiotherpy but sadley it hasnt cured it it only maintained it. She now gets very breathless and struggles walking up and down stairs. She has lost a lot of weight and looks like a shadow of the woman that she once was. After going through chemo and radiotherapy the Dr's have told her that there is no more treatment.. Although some days I feel like my heart is breaking, I try my hardest to spend quality time with my Mum and chat to her about anything else but Cancer. My mum and dad are very private people and do not want people to know so i not able really to discuss it with anyone other that family. Since stopping her treament she has started to sound really horse, i cant believe how fast she sounds like there something wrong! she hasnt talked about how long she has left, i'm pretty sure she doesnt even know! she is amazing she gets on with it but im reallt struggleing to cope life can be so horrible  and unfair.

  • Feel for you I lost my dad to cancer before xmas then my mom was diagnosed Feb with terminal cancer it's really hard to sit and watch them change here if you need to talk x

  • Only just read this wasnt sure how to see replys! So sorryto hear about yuor dad and your mum its just heartbreaking and nothing in the world can prepair you for such a hard emotional time, talking about it on here really does help. My mums cancer has spread to her brain (we found out on Friday) she  became so confused and and one point didnt know who i was which was so hard. She's in  hospital now, ive got not idea when she coming home or If shes coming home. They did say that they will now get palliative care involved but i dont really jnow what that means!! noy sure if that means she not coming home! Hows your mum? x

  • Hello KED.  So sorry about your mum.  In my experience palliative care has been given at home although it can also be done in a care home; this involves controlling pain and generally keeping the patient comfortable.  Nurses will keep a regular eye on your mum if she is at home to check on how things are going.  There don't appear to be any hard and fast rules; a friend who died recently from lung cancer which had spread to her brain was kept in hospital until the end.  I imagine a lot depends on whether or not care can be provided at home which it would seem is the case for your mum.  Please look after yourself; you are always welcome to ring the nurses here with any queries - they work Monday to Friday 9am-5pm and their telephone number is Freefone 0808 800 4040.  Also MacMillan Cancer Support will provide advice to people caring for cancer patients (Freefone 0808 808 0000).  And of course you are always welcome here on this forum.

  • I hope so much that she will make it home, and your right she would be well looked after at home i   have two bothers that would be able to help as well,Thank you so much  for the advice its very much appreciated.