This is just too hard...

Hello all, 

Firstly I'm struggling with the feeling of being useless and also feel ashamed having read some of the amazing stories of utter courage, but I'm struggling.

My big brother was diagnosed in early June 2018 with grade 4 glioblastoma, docs said it was size of a large orange and guessed he only had a couple of weeks left if untreated. He was lucky and had successful surgery, nearly all the tumour was removed and he has been having tablet chemo ever since (with radio therapy too in the beginning.)

This round of chemo is hitting him much harder ( previously he's coped really well) but I've got this feeling in my gut that it's not just the chemo affecting him now. I can't shake the fear that it's back. He hasn't got a scan till 3rd wk of March, the docs have said any sooner and it might not give reliable results because of the trauma to the brain tissue.

I'm a 39 year old woman and I feel like a child, I'm just so sad. All I keep thinking is just "why?"

These past few months I've not seen my brother as much as maybe I should of, I'm well aware of making the most of time left....but what use am I if I can't even hold a conversation without sobbing.

I'm sorry , I'm not expecting anyone to cast a magic spell on me and sort this out.......I just feel lost and found myself here

Helen

 

 

  • Hi Helen 

    You are welcome here with us xx 

    So sorry to read about your brother. I know how hard it is when someone you love is diagnosed with cancer (my Mum was (lung)) xx 

    There is no need for you to feel ashamed and useless...a cancer diagnosis in the family is incredibly difficult to cope with at times xx 

    I was wondering....how you would feel being honest with your brother....even if it’s just a text to tell him you are sorry you haven’t seen each other recently and that, although you are desperate to see him, you fear breaking down in front of him and don’t feel that would be helpful. 

    I am sure he’ll have something to say about that....my bet is he’ll encourage you to go round to see him anyway xx

    You can come back to this forum anytime you want, ok? Any time you need a chat, rant - or anything else xx 

  • Hello HelenMac; I am guessing that you and your brother have been close - are there other siblings?  Your brother is perhaps wondering why he doesn't see more of you?  I can understand how your fear makes your imagination run riot.  But most of the time when our minds run out of control it is because of our fear rather than any solid reason.  From what you have told us there is real reason to fear that the cancer has returned.  Who do you have with whom you can talk about your fears?  You are always welcome here of course.  Pardon me for asking but are you an emotional person generally or has it just come about because of your brother's illness.  If this has always been the case then I imagine your brother is used to this now so there is no reason not to see him more often?  I am sorry that I have no useful suggestions to make but just wanted to know you can pour your heart out here as often as you like.  Maybe others here will have suggestions?  Annie