I haven't been on here for a while as things have been, well just read the title.
My gorgeous mum has now had 3 lots of chemo every 3 weeks. We have faced all the horrible symptoms chemo throws as you, including her losing her hair. Probably the worse thing for a woman. Mum went downhill rapidly after the 3rd treatment and was getting steadily worse, her temperature rose and she couldn't get out of bed. We took her to hospital on the advice of her Oncology department and was admitted to hospital in isolation last week, she had picked up an infection and it was my worse fear for her. Chemo has changed her personality completely, my fun loving mum wasn't there anymore. She looked like my mum but wasnt acting like my mum. Cancer really is the most dispicable disease.
It absolutely killed dad and I to see her like that. The horrible wave of sickness I felt when she was first diagnosed came back, so did the insomnia, living life in a bubble and struggling to juggle mum, dad, work and a home. Thankfully she picked up and was released on 23rd December. She has been getting stronger each day and her sense of humour is starting to return and we managed to have the most precious Christmas day all together. Every second counted to cherish.
Her next and final chemo has been delayed until 9th Jan which is good as she gets to enjoy some time at Christmas and New year by not being ill, but I am so anxious for the future which such a bad prognosis.
For now we are all building our strength back up to face another day. Watching my mum has taught me is to not sweat the small stuff, your true friends shine, you really can choose your friends and not your family, my intolerance level for less important things is very low and that life can change in an instant. If anyone else is at the same stage as me, I can heartily recommend seeing a counsellor at this stage and not later on, they give you great coping techniques and help to rationalise things. Don't suffer alone.
Much love to all
Sally xxxx
