Stage 4 lung cancer

Hiya I'm new to this forum but have been reading it for weeks and to honest it has given me some comfort. I am not one to ever do anything like this but we are all in the same boat and more then anything I just want some advice.

My mum was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer on 6th May 2016. It had spread to her lungs and we were advised she would have 4 cycles of chemo and take it from there. She only had 2 sessions as shecwas getting very very sick and the docs wanted to do a ct scan before she had any more to see why she was getting so sick. The ct was booked for 19th July but I had to admit her to hospital at the weekend as she was so so weak and had this vacant look in here eyes. The scan was brought forward and we was advised the cancer had spead to her lymph nodes and wa growing quite rapidly. They advised she won't be having no more chemo and had a few weeks to a few short months left. She doesn't know any of this. All she knows is she's not having any more chemo. I am sure she must know something and we have family coming over this week from America and Ireland so she's gonna wonder why the heck are they over for but it will be a comfort for her avid them.

I don't think it has hit me as I'm ok one  min and a wreck the next. I'm also the only child left at home (there's 4 of us) and was looking to move out this year but there's no way I can leave my dad now.

How do people cope with this. My mum us honestly my best friend and I'm not sure how I  will cope without her. I'm praying the docs have it wrong but I know they don't

 

  • Hi Cazza, welcome to the forum, but so sorry to hear about your Mom being so ill with this disease. It seems as though her cancer is not responding well to treatment and I can understand why her treatment team would not want to continue to make her even more ill. Its' awful hard to deal with a parent with cancer and you seem to be doing this pretty much on your own, other than your Dad being there. I'm sure he appreciates you staying home to help him out. Its' quite possible your Mom already knows how serious this is for her, so having family members come to visit will not likely surprise her. I hope your other siblings will be coming home for a visit too.

    I wish there was something I could say to comfort you, but I know there likely isn't anything. I was in a similar situation when my Dad was dying with cancer several years ago. It fell to me to try and hold things together and help my Mom with his care, so I know a little bit of what it must be like for you. You will get through this and your Mom and your Dad I'm sure, will certainly your help. Come back on the forum and let us know how you are managing.

    Take care.

    Lorraine

  • Hi Cazza1984

    im so sorry to hear about your mum and know exactly what you are going through. I never expected to be on this forum, cancer wasn't something I knew anything about until my mum was diagnosed with lung cancer and then my world fell apart. 

    Is your mum back at home with you or still in hospital? It sounds like a good thing that your family are coming over as surrounding yourself with people you love and who love you will help a lot. 

    We had to tell our mum the timescales the doctors gave myself and 2 brothers. She didn't want to know at first and then asked to be told. Is that something you feel you could speak about with your mum and your dad so that it is out in the open and it might help you to speak about it with your mum, what about your siblings? 

    My only advice would be get as much information from the doctors as possible. Speak to your mum if she wants to do that and get your family involved as much as possible so you aren't dealing with the shock and stress all on your own. Is your mum still able to eat, walk etc? 

    Tc xxx

     

     

     

  • Cazza1984, 

    I am so sorry to hear about your mom. My dad was just diagnosed with advanced prostate cancer, so I think I can relate to some emotions you are feeling right now, but not entirely in your shoes. I just want to send my thoughts and prayers your way, and if you ever need someone to talk to, I am here. I know there's nothing i can really say to make you feel better (at least in my expereince no one has been able to make me feel better), everything seems quite pointless now. I hope you are able to find your inner strength, as i'm sure this is the toughest thing you've been through. I'm sending my thoughts your way.  

  • Hi all

    Many thanks for your comments and sorry it has taken so long to reply. My mum was admitted to hospital again on Tuedsay evening as she had a blood clot in her leg which went to her lung. Pulmonary embolism. She also had a infection so they advised the next 24-48 hours were critical. She responded well to the antibiotics and us now home but whilst in hospital we found it had spread to her bones.She now has problems moving about and getting in and out if bed. She now knows everything as we need to out things into place and we asked if she wanted to know and she said yes and then wanted to see the priest for her last rites whilst she she was still sound minded. She now keeps saying she wants to go and what's her timeline. I honestly don't know how to feel and am scared to even leave the house in case anything happens. I don't know now if I'm looking at days it weeks and have no idea what to look out for. 

    Again thanks for your feedback. Much appreciated.

     

  • Hi Cazza1984, 

    No need to apologize for the late reply. I am sure we can all understand the emotional rollercoaster you must be going through right now, at least understand parts of what you're feeling. I am glad to hear that your mom was able to go home and hopefully she is more comfortable being there than in the hospital. I just wanted to say again that i'm sending my thoughts your way and i'm sure your mom is so grateful that you are there by her side. I can't really give advice on what you should do. I also have that feeling of not wanting to leave my dad alone or not wanting to leave the house. I always feel guilty if I go out and socialize. I always want to be at home taking care of my dad. I don't think there's any right or wrong way of doing things, as we all manage in different ways. 

    I just hope that your mom is comfortable now. It sounds like you are giving her the best care. I have not been on this forum long, but there are so many supportive people on here. I just wanted you to know that you are not alone.