Lung cancer How long has my mum got left

My mum had breast cancer some 20 odd years ago and successfully kicked it to the curb! Last year we were dealt the blow of mum having left lung cancer she proceeded with chemotherapy and managed to steady it for now, after having a scan last week and receiving the results yesterday they have now told us she has it in her nodes in the middle of her lungs and have offered to try chemo again which she has said yes to even though she probably doesn't even weigh 6 stone right now! Please can anybody just be HONEST and tell me how much longer I have left with my precious mum, I'm so saddened by this

  •  

    Hi Mummysgirl,

    This is so sad. It is impossible for anyone to predict how long your mum has left. I am just another cancer pilgrim and have no great knowledge of lung cancer. My mum also had breast cancer for twelve years. In the latter stages it spread to liver, lungs, brain and bones and she deteriorated very rapidly at the end.

    I expect that if she is so frail now, chemo will be quite a challenge for her, but most of us will clutch at straws at this stage. It is very difficult to watch a loved one suffer. I expect that the best people to ask about how long she has left are some of her cancer team. Can you attend her appointments with her? You will usually glean much more if you do this as your mum is likely to forget a lot of what she’s told at the time of her consultation. The other thing you can do is to help her draw up a list of questions to take to her next appointment. This should ensure that neither of you forget anything pertinent.

    I hope that you get some answers soon, as waiting for results is always the worst time.

    Kind regards,

    Jolamine xx

  • Hi jolamine,

    thankyou for taking the time to reply, and I'm sorry you have lost your mum, I don't no how I'm going to cope when my mum gains her wings we literally live and breath each other since we lost my dad nearly 3 years ago.

    i have attended every appointment with my mum and every chemo appointment that she had, however we did ask the vital question and it seemed to get dodged!

    i have since transferred my mums hospital now because she quite literally has been treated appallingly at her current hospital with every aspect and department she has been in! She had a port put in because they can never get any blood and upon coming up from surgery her drop was left hanging from a window handle and that's just the start of many horrors that have happened,

    im just so scared for my mum and find it hard not to show it

  • How sad I find your post.

    My mum died of lung cancer quite a long time ago and we were told she had three months to live.  She lasted 10 months, so I would say to you, don't even ask how long she has.

    When you're told it's months, years - whatever, you're waiting and thinking, "Is it going to be today, tomorrow" ????  You will just torture yourself and whoever else is involved.

    Just make the most of the time you have with her.   Contact MacMillan, Cancer helplines, Keyworkers, Social Service, GP - anyone who could help you. Tell your mum's GP what's happening and can they help.

    I hope you can get the help you need for you and your mum.

    Take care xx