Terminal Cancer and Coronavirus

Hey everyone. I came across this forum by chance and I wanted to ask for any sort of advice or input into my situation.

I'm 21 and my mum is 55, she has recently had the news that her skin cancer can no longer be suppressed (she has been through chemo, radiotherapy) and is now in her brain. She has a few weeks/months to live. At the time of reading this the coronavirus is beginning to really pick up speed in the UK. I am both terrified about catching this virus and/or spreading it to mum, but also have the added weight of mums diagnosis. 

I don't know how to cope without seeing my friends and boyfriend, not being able to hug them. I have barely told anyone because I fear it will be too much on top of the virus situation. I'm scared that not many people will attend her funeral if it happens during the outbreak. I am so emotionally drained of being so worried about everything happening all at once, I'm not sure how to get through all of this when I'm in lockdown and everyday seems the same. 

I have so many things to ask my mum but I dont know where to find the right moments to speak to her. I dont want to make her even more sad and I dont want to pressure her. Do I let her speak to me? Should I just stay by her side for comfort? Mum has been poorly for the majority of my life with a brain aneurysm and lots of cancer scares but shes got through it everytime. This time is different and I'm finding myself really unable to manage it. I really need some help and guidance.

  • Hi, I am in tears reading your post, I wish I had something to say to make you feel better, I dont as I am going through the same thing with my dad, he is having a syringe driver this week and with coronavirus I feel so alone and unsupported. He wanted everyone at his funeral and he cant even see his sisters before he goes. It is so so cruel. Having said that he is far more upbeat than me! 

    Anyway I am so sorry for you and your mum. 

    Keep strong you are doing a great job and I guess that's all we can do. Give our parents the very best care and love. Xxx

  • Hi, I came across your post as I typed into google 'terminal cancer and coronavirus'. I'm going through the same thing with my dad, who was diagnosed with terminal cancer beginning of April during lockdown. 
     

    I think it's different for everyone, but I think as long as she knows you're there willing to listen with open ears if she wants to talk about it, then that might either nudge her to open up a bit. My dad's a bit of a closed book - I just reminded him that I've suffered with some mental health issues in the past and talking to someone really helped me, whether about my thoughts or feelings or whatever, and that if he wanted to talk about anything that I would always be there to listen. Since then in moments when it's just the two of us, he's either started talking about how he's feeling, and in turn this allows me to ask some questions that I have too.

    I hope that's somewhat helpful - keep strong, things are tough with covid-19 making everything worse - but thinking of you and your family. I have to keep telling myself this is a really unique situation we're in, & take each day it comes x

  • Hi neavegp and samb, 

    I came across this post as I am in a similar situation. My dad has lived with advanced prostate cancer for ten years. That is amazing. However in January he started to get different symptoms, the cancer had spread further to his brain and he had radiotherapy at the beginning of the CV in the uk. He could not access further clinical trials but the hope was always there.

    He was told yesteday that his symptoms are showing a decline and there is really nothing else the docs can do except manage symptoms now. 

    I am truly heartbroken. My mum rang me in tears to tell me. We don't know how long of course but I can't believe that in this situation I can't help my mum, I can't go see dad as we pose such a risk to him. 

    What can I do? Even if some restrictions are lifted this week he will still be shielded. I can't think about him and my mum being alone as he declines. It's so unfair.

    I know I am not the only one but I just can't think how to get my mum and myself and my family through this. 

    God bless

    Emma

  • Emma, it's really hard to feel in control of the situation especially in relation to covid 19. I am sending my blessings and cuddles in this time. You can only do what you're able to safely do at this time. It may be worth speaking to your fathers doctor about the best way to approach the situation in terms of seeing him so you can evaluate the risks. I've spoken to my mums doctor and she said that its vital that I see my mother despite the virus, but to take every precaution I can. Stay safe everyone, I am sending guidance for you all. X

  • I will be entirely honest my daddy came out of hospital being told he has advanced bowel/bladder cancer with weeks left ( he was diagnosed on the 8th april ) nothing was stopping me seeing him i had bought masks, gloves ready the works  but he asked if i was going to see him , I am not recommending this but it is human, love  choice. 

  • Pinknots, 

    How are you? What has happened? I'm hoping your experience of hospital was as positive as mine, 

    Emma

  • Emma  Hospital was kind of hard only because of the present situation (covid) and not being able to visit and my dad was in there for 2 weeks I could only phone  him every night With him telling me the food was cr*p and tasteless lol -  my dad didnt disappear ! ,  that is also when we found out he was also too weak for a biospy or any treatment ,stoma bag, surgery, :-(  . He did however have a brilliant nurse  who he became attached to so we were very lucky in that respect. It is now just a matter of the time :-( as we were told it was weeks 'sigh'  .  

  • Hello I just wanted to share our recent experience. My husband had terminal lung cancer and died on 15th April. 3 weeks before he died and 3 days before lockdown he had a stroke at home and was admitted to hospital and transferred to the hospice unit. He improved slightly but desperately wanted to come home so the day after lockdown we took him home and with the help of phenomenal NHS nurses we cared for him at home for 3 weeks. He died peacefully surrounded by myself and 3 of his chi,dren, 2 of whom had been with us for 3 weeks. The other came the morning he died to be with him. It's a personal choice but I know my husband was happy to be at home and be with us when he passed. I know not everyone can do this with house space etc but if you can I would say in our case it gave us teal comfort after he died to know we were able to do that for him. Thinking of everyone going through this awful time with a loved one. Please feel free to message me if you want to know anything.

    Karen x