Mother has stage 4

Hi - just feeling incredibly lost. 

My mother has stage 4 cancer and is clearly very unwell, very thin. Lost 2.5 stone since December and now under 7 stone. Not tolerating oral chemo well. It all feels very bleak. 

Trying to continue with life normally which sometimes I manage, but then everything feels out of control and I feel sick and panicked and tearful. 

We have t always enjoyed a good relationship. That’s making it much harder I feel. 

I don’t know. Just lost. 

  • Hello LisaLou24

    I'm so very sorry to hear about your Mum's diagnosis and how much you're struggling at the moment. Watching a loved one deteriorate in this way can be incredibly difficult and a real emotional rollercoaster. It's understandable that you're feeling lost and perhaps overwhelmed by everything at the moment. 

    It can help to talk to someone about how you're feeling. Organisations such as Maggie's are there to support anyone impacted by a cancer diagnosis, including family members. Alternatively you might want to talk with your GP surgery to see what services are available in your local area. Or perhaps your employer provides confidential counselling through an Employee Assistance Programme. 

    If you'd like to chat things through with one of our nurses you're welcome to call them on 0808 800 4040, Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm. 

    My thoughts are with you at this difficult time. 

    Jenn
    Cancer Chat moderator 

  • Thank you for your words. 

    it’s like we can see her disappearing before our eyes, but we’re getting very little info from medics. 

    She began to feel unwell in December, and was told she very likely had cancer again (she had it 7 years ago) but then 8 weeks later had a letter to say she didn’t. 

    But we could see she was seriously unwell. 

    Went back to Drs and then was told she had stomach lining secondaries from breast cancer. But in all, that means for 8 months it’s gone untreated and now (2weeks ago) she’s been given oral chemo. 

    But since December she’s gone from 91/2 stone to 6 stone 8. 

    I feel as though I’m going mad. Like my eyes/my common sense are telling me how desperately ill she is, but by the lack of support/input the experts almost seem to suggest it’s life as normal. 

    So then I hate myself for being so negative but then have to remind myself that in fact I’m being realistic and honest with myself.

    But there’s no plain speaking going on. It’s like we’re not really being told anything. But the woman I know has gone already.