Struggling with my mom having cancer

Hello, I am 23 and my mom has been diagnosed with stage 4 cancer.

I have so much emotions and thoughts connected with this and I need to put it out here so I can get it out of my chest.

She was told treatment won’t make any sense at this point since cancer has spread too far. We try to look for alternatives, but that being said, I feel like losing hope.

We – me, my sister and my dad are taking care of her, but it’s not easy since at the same time we’re the caregiver for my younger autistic sister. Mom’s on the wheelchair now, if she’s not on the bed. When I see her, so thin and weak, I feel an awful pain inside my chest.

I feel absolutely terrible. Some days are okay, I carry as usual, but then the others I cry all day, can’t calm down and I have to take pills for anxiety. And the thought of her dying is always there, I have nightmares about this. She has days when she would cry out of pain and it made me feel like it would be better for her to die quicker so she won’t suffer. I feel awful even thinking that.

I am also so angry. I feel like it’s so unfair. There is so much stuff she wants to do. Just yesterday she said she would love to visit Japan in her life. I wanted to cry because it won’t happen, especially when there is pandemic.

I hate that it happens when I’m 23. I know there is no age which makes it easy to lose a mother, but I feel like it’s not something I should experience at that age. If she dies, she won’t be able to celebrate my achievements with me. I want to cry when I think if one day I get married, she won’t be here. It all makes me very depressed and I already struggle with it. I also didn’t have good relationship with here before and I feel bad about this and feel like all that arguments were a waste of time.

 

  • Welcome to the Cancer Chat Ioszka although I'm very sorry about your mom's cancer diagnosis.

    I can't begin to imagine how tough this must be for you and your family but I'm glad you've reached out to us as many of our members, quite a few around the same age as yourself, are sadly in similar situations with their loved ones so will really understand where you're coming from and I'm sure some of them will pop soon to offer you their support and advice.

    All the emotions you're feeling are natural and completely understandable but try not be too hard on yourself for what has gone before. I know it's difficult but try to stay in the present and concentrate on the time you have with your mom now.

    If you or your family need any information or advice don't hesitate to give our cancer nurses a call. They're available on 0808 800 4040, Monday - Friday between 9a.m - 5p.m. and will do all they can to help you at this time.

    We're thinking of you Ioszka and sending all your strength and support your way.

    Kind regards,

    Steph, Cancer Chat Moderator

  • Hi loszka7,

    just wanted to let you know that I was a similar age when I went through it with my mum. I remember feeling exactly the same as you - even down to the point where I wish she would pass away quicker just to stop all the pain she was in. 
     

    There is always hope and believe me when I say you have strength that you never even knew about. Please try to take positives where they come. For me, if my mum managed to put a fork to her mouth to feed herself it was like Christmas and birthdays all at once, or if it was a better day pain wise, it was brilliant. It's still awful, but it makes things a little better. Let me know if you need anything xx