Really struggling

Hi

 

I have never joined an online forum before, but am really struggling and would like any advice/suggestions on coping strategies.  Last January my mum was diagnosed with bowel cancer and had an operation to remove it.  A few months later we found out it had spread to her liver, but she was having chemo, which has now been stopped, as she now has a tumour in her brain and it is no longer effective.  The brain tumour cannot be removed.  She is now in hospital being treated for very low sodium levels, as she was becoming increasingly confused/tired/unable to walk properly.  She is only just 70.  She may not have long left.  The most upsetting thing is that after the operation we thought she would be fine.  The mental confusion is also upsetting as it is like she is only half there.
 

I am 41 but not married and have no children.  I have always had social anxiety so have no one I can really turn to.  I live with my dad, who is 83 and has MS.  I have an aunt, uncle and cousins who live nearby, who have been good with giving us lifts to the hospital etc, but I don't like to bother them with the emotional side.  My dad is of the older generation who did not show their feelings, so gets angry when I cry.  He is on my back from morning till night and does not understand how much I am struggling.  He just keeps on about how she will die very soon, which may or may not be the case and just upsets me more.  It is as though he wants her to die to make his life easier.  I have a full time job, but am currently on compassionate leave.  I can't face going back as the job is stressful enough normally, but also miss the companionship now my mum is not here and hate being with my dad all day.

 

I regret not making an effort to meet someone/leave home.  I never really minded before as my mum and I were so close and did everything together (probably too much in hindsight, but happened due to all the reasons described above).

 

I just feel so lonely now I am losing her.  The hospital hope that increasing her sodium levels will help clear her brain fog to some extent, so at least she would be more like her old self mentally, but this may not be the case.  Does anyone have any experience of this?

 

Sorry for the long post, but just feel so miserable and lonely.

X

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Parents
  • Hiya Poppy,

    Firstly you have done the best thing by coming on & sharing with others and seeking advice & support, am so sorry to hear about your beautiful mum an what she's going through, I totally get it. My mum was diagnosed with secondary brain cancer in august and we went through the whole journey with her.

    unfortunatly we lost her 3 weeks ago an my heart is broken into a million pieces, Am 35 & I was so so so so close to my mum and no one else will ever ever compare or give me anything close to what we shared.

    I can totally understand what you mean with the brain fog & confusion, it's heart breaking & it's like your watching a different person but she will give you blips of her and her little personality is still there I promise you it will shine through.

    In a perfect world I would love to sit here and tell you a better outcome because the pain is unreal & it's not fair that anyone has to go through this, especially when it's your whole wide world. The best advice I can give you is speak speak speak to anyone you feel comfortable with, share every moment when it's possible that you can, I know it's hard because mum might be confused and if like mine she didn't even understand how poorly she was and sometimes was very angry when we visited at hospital because she didn't want to be there, it would break my heart into a million pieces, I really do feel for you but please keep speaking to people and message me for anything if I can share anything in anyway I would feel blessed xx

    I will say my prayers for you & your mum x

Reply
  • Hiya Poppy,

    Firstly you have done the best thing by coming on & sharing with others and seeking advice & support, am so sorry to hear about your beautiful mum an what she's going through, I totally get it. My mum was diagnosed with secondary brain cancer in august and we went through the whole journey with her.

    unfortunatly we lost her 3 weeks ago an my heart is broken into a million pieces, Am 35 & I was so so so so close to my mum and no one else will ever ever compare or give me anything close to what we shared.

    I can totally understand what you mean with the brain fog & confusion, it's heart breaking & it's like your watching a different person but she will give you blips of her and her little personality is still there I promise you it will shine through.

    In a perfect world I would love to sit here and tell you a better outcome because the pain is unreal & it's not fair that anyone has to go through this, especially when it's your whole wide world. The best advice I can give you is speak speak speak to anyone you feel comfortable with, share every moment when it's possible that you can, I know it's hard because mum might be confused and if like mine she didn't even understand how poorly she was and sometimes was very angry when we visited at hospital because she didn't want to be there, it would break my heart into a million pieces, I really do feel for you but please keep speaking to people and message me for anything if I can share anything in anyway I would feel blessed xx

    I will say my prayers for you & your mum x

Children
  • Hi again,

    Unfortunately my mum died on Wednesday night. She was given 3 months but died a week later. She had gone into a care home as my dad and I felt it would be too much for us at home, but I now feel guilty about this as she never had a chance to settle there (kept saying they don't care etc) and was unhappy about going in, although she later agreed it was for the best.  If we had known she only had a week we would have managed for this short time.

    My dad and I were with her when she died and were holding her hands.  She was unconscious so am unsure if she knew we were there, although I know she had asked us to come.

    I also know she was very upset and worried about what will happen to me, which I also feel guilty about.  I have assured her repeatedly since her diagnosis that I will be ok, but now it has actually happened I don't know how to even begin to move forward and just can't bear the thought of decades without her,

    The speed of her deterioration over tha last few months (particularly the last month) has left me she'll shocked.  Dad still gets angry if I cry and has not cried himself (don't know if this is because he thinks he will be joining her before long.  He is always saying so).  He just keeps saying we need to get on with the practicalities.  I understand this but he can't even give me a few days.  My family who live close by are good, but I can't keep burdening them with my grief.  . They are also dad's side of the family so are obviously not as upset as me.  Mum had a brother who she was very close to, but he never came up to see her since she deteriorated and barely spoke to her on the phone even though they used to speak once/twice a week.  I don't know if he will come up for the funeral.  I think he is in denial, but I would have appreciated his support.

    I have considered counselling after the funeral (dad is dismissive of course).  Does anyone have any experience of this at all or anything else that could help?

    Sorry to ramble again but am feeling desperate.