Hello Motherwell, 

I can completely understand why you are feeling this way seeing your mum who was well before suddenly have no energy, having to deal with hair loss and other effects of treatment. Chemotherapy can cause different side effects and it can be really hard to see a loved one go through these especially when you know that the cancer is gone as a result of the lumpectomy. The preventative chemotherapy she has been offered which has been described by your oncologist as an 'insurance policy' is a sort of belt and braces way to ensure the cancer doesn't come back. Even though it may look that this is what is killing her, rest assured it's a temporary effect and things should improve for her once the treatment is finished. Treatments can sadly cause these side effects but they also save lives and hopefully she will respond well and start to feel better soon. But it's really hard to see a loved one go through this. If you have any question about how chemotherapy works and what the oncologist meant, give our cancer nurses a call on this free number 0808 800 4040 - their helpline is open Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm and they will be happy to talk things through with you and answer any questions you might have. 

There will be other people on our forum who have been in your mum's place or looked after a loved one in a similar situation and they will hopefully pop along and share their thoughts and stories with you. 

Best wishes to your mum for the continuation of her treatment. I hope that the side effects subside and that she gradually starts feeling better and is soon like herself again. 

Lucie, Cancer Chat Moderator