I’ve posted only a couple of days on the ‘newly diagnosed’ section, so to find myself writing here so quickly is a bit of a shock to say the least.

Mum was formally diagnosed with lung and liver cancer on 21 January. We all knew something was seriously wrong due to her obvious weight loss, pain in her chest and back, and general tiredness. 

The plan was for further imaging and biopsy to be carried out within 2 weeks (parents live in France, things seem to shift a little quicker, although I have the utmost respect for our fine NHS). This further diagnosis and the staging procedure along with any treatment is just too late though.

Mum met with a lung consultant on Friday 1 Feb, who immediately admitted her. Just the day before, she was able to drive to the supermarket and do a shop. She needed to be carried from the car to the hospital for the appointment. 

My sister and I flew in yesterday. Before being allowed to see mum, we and my dad were taken in to a room and advised it most likely will be just a matter of days before she passes. 

I was shocked, I couldn’t even do that British stiff upper lip BS we’re apparently famous for. How could this happen so quickly. We were asked to decide if any further tests should be carried out, because she had gotten so weak that treatment could not be offered.

My amazing sister had this exact same thing with her fiancées father just last year. She took over and steered us through the next couple of hours. I am admittedly a panicker and took a few timeouts to settle myself once I had seen mum. This hideous disease had ruined my strong mum in just weeks from having seen her at Christmas.

To pour this out helps that little bit before heading to see her today.