Hi ,

Welcome to our forum, although I'm sorry for the reason that has brought you here. I nursed my mum with breast cancer for 12 years before she developed metastases in her liver, lungs, brain and bone. That was 21 years ago and, I have been fighting it myself for the past 8 years.

Don't be too afraid to discuss how scared you are with your mum, but do your best to support her in any way you can. How has she been coping with chemo? It is a challenge for many to get through this, so she is doing well if she is already half way through these sessions.

Just be there for her, talk to her and make sure that you have said everything you want to her, make sure that her pain is being well controlled. Is she well enough to get out and about? If she is, ask her if there is anyone that she would like to see or anywhere that she would like to visit. If she is not well enough for this, just sit with her and watch TV or read to her. She will probably be very tired after chemo. Let her sleep if she feels like it. Let her know how much you love her.

Do you have any other family, relatives or friends who can help you out and support you through this? It is so much easier to cope with if you have someone that you can confide in.

Unfortunately, when my mum was ill, she wasn't given the option of chemo to reduce the size of her tumours. Things have moved on a pace since then and, there is absolutely no comparison between the surgery, treatment and aftercare which she had and that which I have experienced. This is all thanks to our friends at Cancer Research, who work tirelessly to improve the outcome for all of us with cancer.

This is not going to be an easy time for you. Do your best to put a positive slant on things for your mum's sake. You will all find it easier to cope if you can take each day as it comes and make the most of it. Don't bog yourself down with what might happen. Rather try to make some happy memories, which you can cherish in the years to come.

I sincerely hope that the the chemo manages to shrink the tumours enough for her to have surgery.

Please stay in touch and let us know how you get on. We are always here for you.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Thank you so much for your reply I so appreciate it. My sister & I are supporting Mum in every way we can just now. It just seems so surreal at times. Mum tends to be very sick after chemotherapy so I make sure that anti sickness medication is in full some supply. The next batch of chemotherapy will be a different kind and we were told yesterday that it will make her extremely tired. I think you are definitely right about not looking too far ahead.

I am am so sorry to hear about your Mum and agree with you totally about things advancing over the years and the efforts of every one at cancer research.

sending you warm wishes thank you so much xx