i'm 17 and watching my mum slowly get worse

my mum has terminal cancer. recently her treatment has stopped working and the drs are looking to give a new one. we're waiting on blood test results before she starts it and shes really unwell. i feel so guilty. i'm still going to college and spending time with my friends when she cant even get out of bed. i'm making plans for gigs with my band and shes stuck in the same room all day. i want to leave college and quit my band and not do anything but be with her. i'm so scared that shes going to die soon and i wont have spent enough time with her. i dont have another parent so me and my sister look after her. i just feel like an awful daughter and that i'll regret not spending more time with her. i hate seeing her so ill and not being able to do anything. none of this is fair. i dont know what to do

  • yes i'll try. i'll also talk to my normal pyshciatrist to see if i can get something through them. i am having my medication increased soon so i'm hoping that will help as well

  • Good, is it Depression tablets I was on Citalopram, you have to find the medication that suits you, because everyone is different.

  • me too, waiting knowing there in pain is so hard. its such a weird thing to go through. knowing that she's going to die of this illness but having no idea when. it sounds so morbid saying this but its almost as if we were given a timeline and now were waiting for her to die. its so hard to come to terms with the fact that my mother isnt going to be here at some point and that i'll have to live without her when i'm sitting next to her. we're doing as much as we can together but having convos about is a struggle because you never know when the last one will be. 

  • yes i'm on sertraline at the moment after being on a different one. this one does seem to be helping a lot more but i still struggle so we're upping the dose

  • I know it sounds morbid but I think you’re right that’s how it feels sometimes anyways I’m so glad you get to have those conversations my mum really struggles/refuses to talk about it all with me since she just wants to enjoy our time and obviously I do too and I feel guilty for not just going along with it but she’s the only one I can talk to properly yes therapists are helpful but I mean it’s not my mum 

  • i completely get what you mean. my mum is the only person i feel like i can be truly honest with. i know its not the same, but i can always talk to you about things that are happening or if you need a distraction from it all. i do hope she begins to open up and talk to you more. just remember that youre not alone <3

  • I’m not sure if you’ve thought of this but try contacting RIpRap. They are for children who have a mom or dad with cancer. Look them up online. They should be able to help. 

  • i've never heard of them. i'll definitly check it out thank you

  • Hey Renfyld, 

    I hope you don't mind me stopping by but after Bone-cancer-patient mentioned RipRap, I thought I would share some more resources with you that I hope you'll find useful as well.

    Child Bereavement UK offer free and accessible online support to anyone up to the age of 25 who is facing the death of someone important or have a parent who is dying. Hope Support Services also help young people aged 5-25 with a loved one who has a serious illness.

    For those times when you're feeling overwhelmed or finding it difficult to cope with the complex feelings this situation can bring, you can text SHOUT to 85258. Their text messaging service offers free, confidential support to anyone who is struggling with their mental health. They also have a new online chat service called PeerChat that is specifically for young people aged between 16 - 25. You'll be matched with a trained peer supporter who is close to your age who will listen to what you have to say and talk things through with you.

    You can also get further support and advice from Childline who help anyone under the age of 19 with any issue they are going through and Young Minds who are there to help any young person that is struggling with their mental health.

    I can't begin to imagine how difficult this situation must be for you but I'm glad you have the support of your family and friends as well as our members here on the forum.

    Kind regards,

    Steph, Cancer Chat Moderator