Lung cancer palliative care

Over a year ago my mum was diagnosed with lung cancer,

At first they were very positive and confident it could be dealt with but due to her health (copd,weight loss) they decided not to operate and to have radio therapy after 20 sessions she was doing well abit weak and still not great appetite it well. Then upon checking the tumour they noticed something on her breast was sent to see a specialist and have a biopsy and again at first the doctor was like oh simply well cut it out, I had to question this as we had been told by her oncologist she wasn't well enough for operations a week later he rang and said I was right she can't have the operation but not to worry, then we got the appointment where they told us it isn't breast cancer but rather the lung cancer spreading and nothing more could be done. I could see my mums eyes filling up with tears but she quickly stopped herself and o tried so hard not to cry infront of her but once home I collapsed in heap like a big child and cried for what felt like days. Anyway fast forward a few months and she's getting worse everyday I'm so scared of finding her not alive I go in her home and wait to hear her cough or move before entering the room, she had a very bad fall the other night her forehead is one big bruise and she spent the night on the floor cold, she didn't ring or text and I told her I wanted to move in but she wownt allow it cause I'm 6 months pregnant and have a 7 year old and a family but all I want to do is be there for her. She becoming more vacant I guess is the word, stares off Into a corner not interested in her usual hobbies  and has started hallucinating she keeps thinking my daughter is in the room or I'm there when I'm not and has conversations with us even tho nobody is there I'm so scared selfishly I don't want to lose my mum but know it's inevitable I just want to be there for her and help her I have no idea how long she has as we didn't ask but I can see her declining and it breaks my heart I hate leaving her alone and constantly worry about her when I'm not there, I feel torn between being with my husband and daughter and her and it's just so hard to know what to do or say for the best when I am there most of the time it's like we pretend it's not happening it's all just so very sad. Anyway sorry for essay I was just wondering if anyone had any ideas of things I could get or do to make her more comfortable when I'm not there as she will not allow me to move in, my husband has even said he would but she doesn't want my daughter seeing her so poorly and having memories of her like this which I do understand but it makes me feel like I'm not caring for her properly. This week had been really rough finding her on the floor and watching her stare off into space wondering what she is thinking her barely being able to eat or drink it feels like everything is changing and fast I prettified of her suffering or struggling to breath she had recently been put on oromorphe but it doesn't seem to be helping her breathing much I'll get her onto the toilet and she can't breath and starts to panick which makes it more difficult to breath. Cancer is evil it takes so many loved ones away far to early I thought I'd have my mum another 20 years atleast now I genuinely don't know if she'll make 2021 and I'm to scared to ask the palliative nurse when she comes again .

again sorry for essay just needed to get it off my chest I suppose sending love to everyone 

  • Hi there ..

    Oh bless ya.. what a sad situation ... please get in touch with her palitive care nurse or her G Ps ... I think she needs to be in hospice where they will look after her 24/7 ... after a fall like that she should not live on her own .. and I think your mum is right, you have to think of your little family, and being pregnant, trying to lift your mum, could damage your pregnancy too .. 

    You sound amazing and caring, and she must be so proud of you, and love you very much, as her first thought is of you and your daughter ... you sure are a lovely part of your mum ... but right now she needs help .. so call everyone you can... tell them your mum is not safe on her own now ... and you know hospices are wonderful and they all care ... those angels that work there will help make your mum's last journey a lot kinder .. they can sort out her pain relief to ... 

    Please let us know how you go ... I'm sending you a vertual hug... one of my spiecial nanny hugs, I save for my little granddaughter... I'm sure she'd want you to have one ... Chrissie x

  • Hi, I'm going through a similar situation with my mum. She is on palliative care, no treatment, for lung cancer which has spread. The doctors were treating vertigo since May and last month my mum was rushed in for a brain operation as it turned out to be a cancer tumour on the brain as it had spread from the lung with a few weeks to live. Since being discharged from the brain op she seems to have deteriorated rapidly. Although she's currently living with me, she is constantly starring into space, rarely interacting and very restless. I can't imagine what's going through her head, she's only 56 and it's all happened in a matter of weeks. We were told to expect 3 months as the brain op bought us some time but I can't help to think it won't be that long. The coughing and phlegm is constant and painful, she seems to be having every symptom now and a lot of nose bleeds, wobbly teeth and an extremely dry throat. No bladder control along with other things. I wish we knew if we would have Christmas and the new year to. The nurse doesn't seem too concerned which must be a positive but they are very use to this, and we're not. I just wish we knew. It really is an evil disease, try to be there as much as you can, try not to think too much into the future and take each day at a time I guess. You are doing the best you can x