My mum passed away and I can’t cope

My mum was diagnosed with Stage 4 Bowel cancer, that was terminal in February 21. She passed away yesterday, after such a short battle.

She passed away with my siblings and dad by her side, like she always wanted. 

But the pain is indescribable. 

I never expected her to pass, as quick as she did. I initially called the ambulance, as she was having severe back pains, that weren't going away with the painkillers. I just expected the hospital to check her over, and then she would return home. But when we got the call at 2am, saying all the family should go to the hospital, I just knew, before the doctors said anything. What kills me is, when I did go and talk to mum, she had full conscious. I cried my heart out to her, and she was comforting me. She was so selfless, and loved me and my siblings so much. She was comforting me, when the doctors had told her she had hours to live. She was reassuring me that the doctors were wrong, and she would be okay and come home.


Looking back on it, I realise what a strong person she was. She wasn't scared of dying, instead she just wanted her children to be okay. 
 

God, it kills so much. We lost her way too soon, she was only 55. This was meant to be the best years of her life, retiring, watching her children go up. It hurts so much. I just want her back. I don't know how to cope or move forward. 
 

I don't know how I am going to live the next 30/40 years of my life, without my mum. I need my mum. 
 

  • Hi

    I am so sorry to read your post.

    I am a Mum too, have had bowel cancer twice now and am really scared it will return.

    I lost my Dad at your Mums age, I was only young but I got there over time.

    Take each day at a time, remembering the lovely memories of your Mum and I'm sure she will be with you always

    It scares me every single day that I will have to leave my family one day because of this awful disease but what can we do about it really, If there is any good way to look upon your situation, although a shock and it happened quickly, at least you weren't watching her suffer for months and months. If it were me and I knew it was terminal I wouldn't want it stretched out for months and having my family suffering, watching me for months.

    Try and focus on the lovely times, talk to someone about this, don't keep in inside.

    Lots of love

  • Hey,

    I'm so so sorry to hear about your mum and how quick it's all happened. Your mum sounds very brave and I hope that in time, it brings you some comfort. 

    Your story unfortunately is very similar to mine, my mum was also 55 and passed away after a very short diagnosis. It's very hard to get your head around. I'm a month down the line, and I miss her beyond words. I spoke to her every single day.

    I hope that you are able to get some strength from your family at the moment, this will help you so much. 

    Lots of love. And take lots of deep breaths when it feels overwhelmingly painful. The best advice I've been given to date. XX

  • I am so sorry. My heart breaks for you. 

    My mum died of lung cancer at 54. I was 4 months pregnant, my siblings were 27,19 and 14. 
     

    The pain was indescribable and I truely do not know how I survived it at times but I promise you it changes. It never goes away and there will be times when the pain is as intense as it is now but grief changes over time. 
     

    It has been 6 years since my mum died. I am forever changed but I no longer feel the suffocating, heart breaking pain all day everyday. 
     

    Hold on, do whatever you need to do to get through the days, lean of family and friends. Just keep making it through the days, take it one day (or one hour at a time) and over time your grief will change into something more manageable. 


    You will be ok xxxxxxx

  • Hey, thank you so much for replying to me, it really means a lot ️ 
    I know it's easy said than done, but you shouldn't worry about what could happen, but rather live for now. You should make happy memories with your children, and do what you've always wanted to do, because the reality is life is too short. However, don't live in fear of the cancer returning- nothing is guranteed, and if you live like that, it will consume your mind. 
    Thank you for your perspective of the terminal cancer, I never really looked like it as how she didn't want us to suffer, I guess I was selfish, and just wanted her to live at all costs. But you're right, the person mum was, it hurt her so much that we had to experience the cancer, I know she wouldn't have wanted us to see her like that. 
     

    Thanks again for your reply, sending you lots of love and prayers

  • Hey, thank you so much for your reply ️ You're one of the kindest souls I have met on here, as you replied to another one of my posts regarding treatment too.

    I'm so sorry about your mum, and I'm sorry for everything you are going through, and I pray god makes it easier for you.  

    I know it will be difficult at the moment for us both, as it's so raw, I have vivid memories from when she was diagnosed/final stages, and I want to remember the better memories, with time I know I'll remember all the good memories, how she should be remembered. I just want the pain and stop, but I know if I have an ounce of my mum's strength, I will learn to live again.

    Sending you lots of love and prayers- if you need to talk, please message me ️

  • Thank you for your lovely kind words x

    You are right.... 'what could happen', I really really hope I can go on to old age with my lovely family. I sometimes think if I get to 70 and look back on all the years of worry and 'what if's'.

    It does spoil the 'now' though.

    I have a few good weeks with no aches/twinges and then I'll get a new scare and I'm right back up there really scared until it either goes or I get a reason for the twinge. 

    Lot's of love, be strong xxx

  • I have just posted too about my mums passing last Friday. I have no idea how to carry on going.  Miss her so mich already and sometimes even forget shes not here. 

    Following for any advice too. 

    I offer my condolences and virtual hugs. 

  • Hi

    I am so so sorry to read your post. 

    Our situations sound fairly similar, my mum was rushed into hospital on the 19th with severe stomach pains and was given a ct scan the next day which confirmed Stage 4 Bowel cancer which had also spread to her liver. She sadly passed 3 days ago on MArch 30th.  

    Even though we knew it was incurable and we were told she only had weeks to live I am still in complete and utter shock.  The end happened so quickly and I dont know how i will ever get over this.  i am so angry its eating me away.  

    I've never joined one of these forums before but knowing others are going through the same is horrific yet comforting. Hope we can supoort each other, and again I'm so sorry. 

    xxxx

  • Hey, thank you so much for your reply ️
    I'm so sorry to hear about your mum, and I'm sorry with what you are going through. 
    I know it's so difficult, as the time between diagnosis and her passing is so short. But the silver lining to this is, least she was not in pain for months/ years. When my mum was alive, all I did was pray for her to stay with us, even if she was ill, and now I realise how selfish that was, because she didn't deserve that. 
    People have said that over time, we will get used to the pain, so please give it time.

    If you ever want to talk, please message me- these forums have been a huge comfort, through the darkest days of my mum's illness. Sending you lots of love and prayers xx

  • Hey, thank you so much for your reply ️ I'm so sorry about your mum, and I pray she is in a better place. 

    It provides me huge comfort that you mentioned that the grief will become manageable, because right now, I feel like I am suffocating, and can't breathe with the pain

     

    I will try to take it slowly, and pray that over time the pain will ease- please keep me my family and me in your prayers xxx