Looking for answers

I am a 42 year old mum of 3, a wife to Steve who has terminal cancer. 

Things are progressing fast now he's losing his mobility daily, lost his libido, suffering with mood swings and looking weaker and more vulnerable. 

I am caring at home for him, it's hard at times but not as hard as the battle he's fighting himself. 

I hope to find guidance,support if not the answers to questions that arise everyday.

My husband has metastatic adrenal carcinoma, also in his spine,aorta,breast, remaining kidney, and numerous other places. 

He had a kidney and football size tumour removed 2 years ago , 12 weeks radiotherapy, 6 weeks daily chemo of 8 hour sessions but after he received the news it had spread aggressively to too many places to treat or operate.

We have grown up children and a 10 year old boy whom is struggling to cope.

 

  • I am so sorry to hear about ur husband. It’s so frustrating that our children have to go through this. Mine are 9, 5 and 1 and we are just waiting for CT scan to see if my husbands cancer has returned. I really admire your courage and will pray for u and ur family. Please God for a miracle and an end to all this suffering . 

  • Thankyou x And you and your family will be in our prayers x

  •  

    Hi Sarah,

    A very warm welcome to our forum, although I'm sorry for the reason that has brought you here. Can you tell me how long it is since Steve was first diagnosed?

    Caring for him at home as well as looking after your family is an awful lot for you to undertake. Do you still have your grown up children at home, or have they flown the nest? Do you have relatives or friends who can support you and help you out from time to time?

    It is unfortunate that your 10 year old son is struggling to cope. This is hardly surprising. He is at a stage where his body is beginning to change, an unsettling time for any youngster, without this additional upset. Have you considered getting him to see a counsellor? This can be very helpful in some cases. Here he can bare his soul and tell a counsellor of his fears for both you and your husband. A child often thinks that if they are about to lose one parent, that the other can be snatched away from them just as quickly. He may have other equally scary concerns that he doesn't want to worry you with. It's strange, but it is often easier to talk to a stranger about these than it is to a loved one.

    Do you have any additional help from carers, district nurses, occupational health, etc, or are you trying to do everything on your own? Please accept any help that is offered, as you need to look after yourself now more than ever. You are the kingpin to everything at the moment and you cannot afford to become ill.

    I have had 2 bouts of breast cancer myself. The first was 8 years ago. I have also nursed my parents and several relatives and friends to the end. You have a hard road ahead of you. It is not easy to deal with the mood swings that this brings, nor the other symptoms that you mention. Nevertheless, you sound like a strong person and I am sure that you will cope with this.

    If I can help in any way, you only have to say. I am always here for you.

    Thinking of and praying for you both.

    Kind regards,

    Jolamine xx