Mum needing chemo

Hi, I'm new here. Any advice and pointers are appeciated as I feel so lost.

My mum was diagnosed with endometrial cancer in mid February and had a total hysterectomy a few days later. 

My mum is 68 years old. She lives in South Asia, while I (her daughter) live in the UK. Her medical history is Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus, Depression and (newly diagnosed) Ischaemic Heart Disease (IHD). 

Based on the biopsy results - she has an carcinosarcoma -  it was decided last week that my mum needs chemotherpy (and potentially radiotherapy). I don't know her prognosis or the stage of the cancer. The doctors seem to say very little to my mum and although she has mental capacity she doesn't seem to have asked any questions. This is despite me having written a list of questions down for her to ask her doctors. She has had depression for years and sometimes she is just not mentally present and the shock of this diagnosis is probably affecting her ability to ask pertinent questions. 

The system where she lives is fragmented and not patient-centred like here with the NHS. There is no GP equivalent and no one to really advise her on anything. 

I don't know much about cancer. But I want to help her. I want to ask the right questions and I want her to get the best care that the system there can give her. I am going to visit her and will be staying with her several weeks/months depending on how long the treatment will take and if she needs any more support afterwards. 

She has been asked to come for an ''echo'' and she is expected to start treatment after that. 

My questions are:

How can I best help my mum? 

What type of blood tests/treatments will she need? Does chemo and radio therapy last long/short term? Or does it depend on the severity of the cancer and the patient? 

There are no dietitians or anything similar to McMillan. What can I do for her?  

How can she better manage diabetes, depression and IHD? 

I know that these are medical questions that may not be answered here. But I thought I'd try. 

Thank you!

 

  • Welcome to Cancer Chat MagratGarlick although I'm sorry about your mum's diagnosis.

    As you mentioned, there are quite a few medical questions in your post that our community can't really answer but our team of cancer nurses may be able to help with some of them so if you'd like to talk things through with them before you head off then do give them a call on 0808 800 4040, Monday - Friday between 9a.m - 5p.m.

    I'm not sure what part of South Asia your mum is based but you can have a look for cancer organisations or charities in that part of the world that may be able to offer you the information and advice you're seeking via the overseas cancer organisations page on our website.

    Many of our members have been on this journey with their parents and loved ones so hopefully some of them will share their experiences and advice with you soon but in the meantime, I hope this section we have for family, friends and caregivers will help.

    You can also find out about chemotherapy just here.

    I really hope the information I've included will be useful and all goes well with your mum's treatment.

    Best wishes to you both,

    Steph, Cancer Chat Moderator

  • Thank you so much Steph! I really appreciate it. <3