Mum has terminal lung cancer

Hi everyone, this is my first post here. Not something I wanted to do but this is where I am. My mum was diagnosed with Lung Cancer back in January. She has always been super fit before that. The only sig. We had was she coughed up a little blood and then things snowballed from there. It turned out she had Metastatic Kidney Cancer and now Some small tumours in the brain. She has been managing ok but things seem to be getting worse. She had Srs radiotherapy for her brain mets and that seemed to go ok. We are about 1 and a half weeks later now and she is really struggling. Constantly tired and struggling to get around like she did. She says she's constantly tired and has a lot of aching on her right hand side.

She's not in any pain now we got the medication sorted but I'm constantly worried. I'm hoping she will pick back up again. She had a patch before where she was constantly tired and she came back round to be more active. I'm worried out of my mind that she will keep declining. Could this tiredness be down to the brain radiotherapy. She seemed ok when she had it but she was on steroids. The doctor said 6-9 months then 9-12 if they can get control of the cancer. She is supposed to be having radiotherapy for her lung but I'm not sure what will happen with her feeling weaker. She wasn't so bad only a few days ago and now she is very tired again. I just don't know how to cope with losing my mum. She's my life and I will be lost without her. I've been living with her at home for the past 18 years due to my own illness. We are so close and it feels like my world is falling apart. I know other people go through this but I am struggling. This is the hardest thing I will ever have to do. Muly mum is 65, she still feels so young to me. Thank you for reading. 

Parents
  • Hi,my mum was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer just over 18months ago, she also has it in her lymph nodes and rib,she has had immunotherapy and radiation therapy,she seemed to pic up a little bit,but now she is in a lot of pain and lost loads of weight, last few days she has spent most of it in bed, she in 40 mg morphine twice a day plus the liquid when needed, the consultant said he is considering cemo but thinks the side effects would be too much, can anyone tell me if this could be the end or could she pic up again,im at a loss as to what to expect 

  • Hi Loo1512, I'm sorry to hear that. I can't really help on what could happen next. I know Jolamine will be able to help you more. From my experience with my mum once you are too weak for treatment it usually means that there isn't too much more they can do. I know everybody is different though. Try and savour every moment you can with your mum. All the time you can spend together is special. My thoughts are with you and your mum. X

    Simon 

  • yes dear i understand and i wish you always good and smiles to you freshness to you and saying words to me will makes you feel light and i also will share my words to you i am happy to hear about your garden and i feel freshness to imagen your sweet garden the weather to me is also very lovely here nowdays and i enjoy like you its nice meeting to you and we can keep in touch to each other 

  • Hi Jolamine, hopefully the symptoms aren’t long term. I can only imagine how difficult it has been for you both. Hopefully over time they disappear.
    I’m sure you were shocked about the hole. I’m glad the children didn’t have any mishaps. You don’t expect things like that to happen! 
    It sounds like it’s very difficult for you to keep on top off. I must admit I would like a large garden but as you said you have to keep on top of it and then once it’s done it’s not long before you have to do it again! I must admit with mostly concrete it’s just once every couple of years which does make it easier! I do know what you mean though. We have some hedges and they are constantly growing and need trimming!

    It has been very warm today here Jolamine, it’s a bit too much for me once you get near 30! Hopefully it’s not too hot to sleep tonight! I agree about the forum, I went back to edit my post as there was a few spelling mistakes and it wouldn’t let me change anything. I do miss the edit function. I guess everything is hard work at first though! I hope you have had nice weather there Jolamine. You take care. 

    Simon x

  • Hi Bhattimrp,

    Welcome to our forum.

    Yes, we have had a fantastic spell of weather. Can I ask, have you had cancer of any kind and is there anything we can help you with?

    Kind regards,

    Jolamine 

  • Hi Simon,

    I hope that the side-effects won't be long-term. We were certainly very surprised to find a hole of that size in a garden, which we have tended and played in for so many years. The garden is an acre in size, with large hedges on all four sides and I have over 100 pots to tend to, as well as the greenhouse and the rest of the garden. It was great for the children to play in when they were small, but it's too much for me now.

    This is the warmest day that we've had and it really felt quite oppressive. I was expecting to have thunder and lightening tonight, but it hasn't come yet.

    I see an edit function back at the bottom of posts. I haven't tested it out yet, but hope that it works, as most of us find this very useful.

    Regards,

    Jolamine xx

  • hi there i am not in Cancer but my sister was in breast cancer and to sharing and listening to ppl and their experiences i am here.also to encourage ppl not going into sad let them feel light and cool

  • Hi bhattimrp,

    I am sorry to hear about your sister. When was she diagnosed? I  hope that she is in remission now.

    Kind regards,

    Jolamine 

  • Hi Jolamine, I just wanted to check in and see how you are doing. I hope you and your husband are well and you are both feeling better now with no side effects after having covid.
    I am doing ok, I’ve just been getting on with things. I know I haven’t spoke in a while but I wanted to wish you Merry Christmas and I hope you have a nice time. You take care Jolamine.

    Simon x

  • Hi Simon,

    It's lovely to hear from you and I'm glad to hear that you are doing ok. I'm sure that you've had some sad moments too, but it's good to hear that you are getting on with things. Did you manage to get your benefits sorted?

    This year has flown by for us. We are still suffering the after effects of COVID, which has left us both exhausted. We are planning to move house in the New Year. It's about time that we downsized, as the garden is getting too much for me now. We are planning on moving closer to my son and his family, so it will be quite a change. What are your plans for Christmas? Whatever they are, I hope that you have a Very Happy Christmas and a good New Year.

    Kind regards,

    Jolamine xx

  • Hi Jolamine, oh no I’m so sorry to hear that you are still having after effects from covid. I know they must be very frustrating for you. I know a lot of people do get them but it’s no consolation. Hopefully at some point they do clear up for both of you! Oh are you moving house, that’s always a huge task isn’t it. That will be nice that you are moving closer to your family though. Yes a big house is no good is it when you have to keep on top of it! You just end up running round cleaning all the time! I hope the move goes well for you.

    I‘m doing well thank you. Yes I got everything sorted with the benefits. It was a relief when it was all done but it gave me some stability which is what I needed. I have had ups and downs as you say but have been managing ok. I will be going to my sisters for Christmas Day. I’m sure my 3 nephews will have lots going on no doubt! 
    It was nice to hear from you too Jolamine! Merry Christmas and happy new year to you! I hope you and your family have a lovely time. You take care Jolamine.

    Simon x

  • Hi Simon,

    I am so glad to hear that you are doing well. You will gradually find that there are more ups than downs in your life, but it's a slow process. I am pleased to hear that you managed to get your finances sorted to give you more stability.

    It's a big thing to move house at our age, especially when we are moving so far away, but we are looking forward to new beginnings.

    I hope that you have a wonderful time with your sister and her family on Christmas Day, and I wish you Good Health and Happiness for the New Year.


    Kind regards,

    Jolamine xx

Reply
  • Hi Simon,

    I am so glad to hear that you are doing well. You will gradually find that there are more ups than downs in your life, but it's a slow process. I am pleased to hear that you managed to get your finances sorted to give you more stability.

    It's a big thing to move house at our age, especially when we are moving so far away, but we are looking forward to new beginnings.

    I hope that you have a wonderful time with your sister and her family on Christmas Day, and I wish you Good Health and Happiness for the New Year.


    Kind regards,

    Jolamine xx

Children
  • Hi Jolamine, I am doing much better thank you. I do have ups and downs but you do learn to live with things more as time passes. Getting my finances sorted has helped me feel better definitely. 

    Ah yes I can imagine, it’s a huge thing. They say moving house is one of the most stressful things in life don’t they! I’m sure once it’s done you will feel better though with the smaller house and being closer to your family. I know that you probably can’t think about that yet and have a million things to sort out! I hope it goes as well as possible for you!

    Thank you so much Jolamine, I hope you and your husband and family have a nice Christmas too! I wish you all the best health and happiness for the new year Jolamine. You take care.

    Simon x

  • Hi Simon,

    We had a verbal acceptance of our offer today, so it does look as if we'll be moving early in the new year. As you rightly said, we'll have a million things to sort out before we move, but I'll worry about that after Christmas. We are looking forward to new beginnings and hope that it all turns out well.

    Have a wonderful Christmas and remember that I am always here for you.

    Kind regards,

    Jolamine xx

  • Hi Jolamine, did you. That's great news! I'm sure your mind has lots going on now, like you said enjoy Christmas first and then you can worry more about the move after. I'm glad it got accepted and hope the move all goes as well as it can. Thank you so much Jolamine, that really means a lot to me. I hope you have a wonderful Christmas too, thank you! You take care Jolamine.

    Simon x