Cancer Research UK main site

Cancer patient living alone - what help is there?

Tel94
Offline

Hi all,

 

I am currently staying with my mum during lockdown to care for her. She has stage 2 breast cancer and will be having her 3rd cycle of chemo soon (not yet had a masectomy). 

 

Anyway I'm posting as my boss said we may be returning to work within a month or so and I live and work at the other end of the country. If my aunty is unable to help, I'm worried about my mum as she lives alone. Is there any help out there for her with regards to care? What should my mum expect over time with her chemo? She has a cycle every 3 weeks, will she become weaker over the period of cycles or do the rest periods ensure that she won't? Would she be able to manage alone? 

 

Anything would be helpful please, as this is stressing me out big time! 

 

Thanks 

  • Offline

    Hi Tel 

    Your mum should be able to get carers four times a day also macmillan or Marie curie should be able to help with medical care and help with getting carers.

    Hope this helps you with some details, good luck with getting things sorted for your mum and hope things go well with you mum's treatment. 

    Billy 

  • Offline

    Hi there ..

    I'd give McMillan a ring .. they are their Mon to Fri... but I know they can help if mum's on her own .. though this carona is putting everything out .. everyone is slightly different on chemo .. some sail through .. some have a few days really knocked for 6 ... some have no energy for long periods ... 

    Is there a converlesant home near mum .. though even that's risky now with carona ... what a dilema .. would your work give you some compationate leave to look after your mum while on chemo .. some bosses are amazing .. some not so, but it maybe worth asking ... 

    Hope you find a solution ... or someone pops on with more info to help .. Chrissie x

  • Offline in reply to Billygoatt

    Hi Billy,

     

    Thank you for the advice.

     

    This is really good to know. I always thought you must have a terminal diagnosis to receive care.

    Mum has a health support worker for her mental health already and I did ask if she could look into it but I wanted to make sure I could cover all the bases too. I will liaise with her first then give Macmillan a call. 

     

    Thank you again, really appreciated.

Speak to a nurse

Quick links

Follow us

Registered with Fundraising Regulator (logo)
Cancer Research UK is a registered charity in England and Wales (1089464), Scotland (SC041666), the Isle of Man (1103) and Jersey (247). A company limited by guarantee. Registered company in England and Wales (4325234) and the Isle of Man (5713F). Registered address: 2 Redman Place, London, E20 1JQ.