Mom has Metastatic Stomach cancer and I can't cope.

My mother was diagnosed with Metastatic Stage 4 Stomach cancer... This was only 2 weeks ago and when we got the news we were absolutely devastated and destroyed.. My dad broke down crying like I had never seen him before and that destroyed me even more.. My parents have been together since they were about 14.. I'm currently 23 and torn apart. I never knew what people meant when they say that they're heartbroken, Until now. I felt a gaping hole in my best and my Heart literally hurt.. I think I'm in between a state of disbelief and misery... Doctors are trying to drain her right lung after a successful left lung drain but it's giving problems and doesn't want to stop draining.. They haven't even mentioned chemo or any other treatment yet, the only thing they said was that before anything, she needs to be strong enough and off the oxygen but it's not looking good... I can still see my mom at the hospital but she's very skinny and has almost no energy to even speak at times.. I guess I'm sort of stable because of the fact that I can see her, but I don't know how much longer she has left... I know that nothing will ever be the same again, and the thought makes me break down and feel lonely even though we have family around us... The only thing my mom asked us was to be strong.. It's extremely difficult but most of the time I've been able to hide it in front of her.. She knows how I feel and she understands. The thing that worries me a lot as well is that I don't want my dad to go into depression and give up on life afterwards... I'm going to try and be as strong as I can for him as I'm and only child, but I feel like it's easier to say than to do...  I want him to understand that life goes on and that she'll ALWAYS be with us no matter what. I don't know what to expect, how to cope with not seeing her walk through the front door ever again, or how long it'll take us to accept the fact that there's nothing that can be done for my Beautiful and loving mother..... And the fact that I still have to go to work because I might lose my job, is both extremely difficult and a blessing in disguise.. Again, I'm really worried about my father and with trying to help him and make sure that he knows that I'm here for whatever he may need. Him being more self kept doesn't really help, but I think that he'll open up in his own time. I don't want him to hold anything in.. I feel like time is passing by and we're just sitting around, helpless, waiting for the worst to happen.... I HATE YOU CANCER!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

  • I'm really sorry to hear your news.

    It's really difficult to get your head around it in the first few days and it gets worse before it gets better.

    It does get better though but it just feels unreal doesn't it? you'll have periods of feeling fine then the reality will just wash over you like a wave.

    Talk about it. Talk to everybody and anybody who will listen - it hurts telling the story about what happened but I found that it became a little less painful every time I told it.

    It sounds like you did a good job of being there for her in the last days - I'm sure you helped make it as easy for her as it could be and that she was very proud of you

     

  • It's the most devastating thing that can happen to a person... It's been almost a week since she passed and yesterday as I left the train, for just a split second, I though I saw my mom but it turned out to be just a random woman who looked nothing like my mom.... That split second was such an uplifting and joyous moment, until I realized that the woman who I thought was my mom couldnt have actually been her... That hurt me so much :(

  • Hi - I just felt I needed to join in this discussion group.  I lost my husband 2 months ago to stomach cancer. He had 10 months from diagnosis and I am still trying to come to terms with my loss.  He had just retired and we were planning our retirment together when this horrible disease robbed us of our future.  Its very hard and the loneliness is sometimes overwhelming even when you are surrounded by friends and family. Life goes on - but how do you live again and not just exist? 

  • Hi Dorothy, let me start off by saying that I am extremely sorry about your loss. My dad is in the same situation and put simply, it sucks so much... I miss my mom every single day. The way I like to see it is that the body is just a vessel for the soul and spirit and that the person will always be with you in anything you do and everywhere you go. I think that as time passes, you continue doing what you must to get by but slowly that begins to change. You realize how blessed you actually were to have such an amazing person by your side, and that no everyone has had that opportunity. Try to celebrate your loved ones life and all the lovely experiences in sure you guys had together, rather than think too much about what has actually happened. I'm not saying to try and forget because that will never happen. Just know that your loved one lives on inside of you and that they would've wanted to see you happy and continuing with your life. Cancer is a horrible and disgusting disease, one for which I have so much hate, it's unreal. But at the end of the day, it is unfortunately a part of nature and it is out of our hands.

     

    There is nothing anyone can say or do to change what's happened. But just know that your loved one will ALWAYS be with you deep inside, till the end of time & know that you will once again be together one day.

     

    I send you my best wishes and wish you all the strength necessary to help you get through this very very tough time.

     

     

  • im so sorry to hear this benjamin, sending you my best wishes x

  • Benjamin,

    I am so so sorry to hear about your mother, that is so rotten.
    I expect that with each day, time will start to heal and speaking to another friend who lost her mum to cancer 3 years ago, she tells me she thinks about her mum a lot, but mostly into good memories.

    I hope you can start to think of those as well as you get through the forthcoming months rather than sadness.  No one wants to see anyone suffer and it is amazing that you were there for her in all ways including cleaning the house, when she needed you most.

    xxx

  • So sorry to hear about your mum,I lost my mum 2 days ago from the same thing 3 months ago she was in the garden ,she loved being in the garden keeping it tidy was her pride and joy,we just couldn't believe how poorly she was ,within 13 days of bring in hospital having scans and other tests we sadly lost her  it's very devastating cause there was no symptoms, she went downhill very quick,my mum was a wonderful lady would do anythink for anyone always gave good advice  couldn't of wished for a better mum  I'm still in disbelief, it's not hit me yet,she leaves a partner of 32yrs they got married in 2018 very happy day for them both,now hes lost ,doesn't know what to do with himself