My Mum Passed Away 2 Days Ago

We found out 6 weeks ago my mum had cancer. 2 weeks later, on her 82nd birthday we were told it was stage 4 nsclc palliative care only. It had spread to her liver and spine. From the day we were told she just went down hill and was in pain and suffering. We’ve had no time to process she had cancer let alone that she has now died from it. My dad looked after her at home and I visited often and took her to all her appointments and moved in the last week. When things got really bad we couldn’t manage her pain and she was transferred to a hospice and there we were told she only had hours left. I didn’t leave her side. She died 16 hours later I slept with her all night and held her hand and was there for her last breath. At the moment all I feel is relief that she is not suffering. I cried every day she suffered. I cried all the time at the hospice and now I don’t know what’s happening to me I feel in shock and like I haven’t processed it. I’m exhausted so is my dad. My sister died 2 years ago of a brain haemorrhage it was very sudden and I cried constantly but this is different 

  • Welcome to Cancer Chat KitKat75 although I'm so sorry to hear about your mum. You have my heartfelt condolences for your loss.

    Having gone through so much pain and heartbreak over these last 6 weeks it's completely understandable to be feeling worn out so do be kind to yourselves as you slowly start to process everything that has happened. 

    I also want to reassure you that how you are feeling is completely normal. There is no set way to act or behave when losing a loved one so please don't feel guilty for not reacting the same way you did when your sister sadly passed away 2 years ago.

    Coping with grief is extremely difficult but I hope you can take some strength, and comfort, from knowing that you are not going through this alone and hopefully some of our members will stop by soon to offer their support and advice. 

    Keep posting if you find it helps KitKat75, and remember that we'll always be here for you when you need us.

    Kind regards,

    Steph, Cancer Chat Moderator

  • Hi KitKat,

    I am so sorry to hear this and am sending my sincere sympathy to you and your family. It sounds as if you've had a very hard time these past 2 years and I am also sorry to hear about your sister.

    I have lost a number of family and friends to cancer and empathise completely with how you are feeling. I lost my own mum to secondary breast cancer after a 12 year battle with the disease, which eventually spread to her brain, bone, liver and lungs. I also lost my father-in-law, who complained of back pain after he lost his wife. At 97, he had nursed her at home for 6 years, with vascular dementia. His GP diagnosed him with Arthritis and prescribed painkillers which did nothing for him. After the fifth visit to his GP, he saw a different doctor, who referred him for tests. He was immediately diagnosed with bowel cancer which was widespread and admitted to hospital and he passed away within 5 days. Initially, we were told that he was too ill to move to a hospice, although this only involved a 10 minute ambulance journey, but he was finally transferred just 2 days before he died.

    Watching helplessly as both of my loved ones, were in such pain and suffering at the end, was totally heart-breaking and, like you, my immediate reaction was relief that they were now no longer suffering and at peace. I also felt some degree of anger, that my f-i-l's symptoms were overlooked by his GP, leaving him to suffer for so much longer than necessary. It took me some considerable time to get the memory of their final days, from the forefront of my thoughts and to remember happier times with both.

    Your mum will always live on in your heart and you will eventually come to terms with what has happened.

    Grief is a very individual emotion and we all deal with it in our own time and way. I am not at all surprised that you and your dad are both exhausted. Look after one another and be glad that you were both there to support your mum when she needed it.

    Thinking of you both and willing you the strength to get through this.

    Kind regards,

    Jolamine xx