how can i get my mum to talk instead of shutting me out

3 minute read time.

In 2007 my mum had breast cancer at the age of 69.  She needed radiotherapy only and made a full recovery, she went for screenings and only had to go once a year as everything was ok.  Mean while from 2008 she started suffering from frequent water infections, would complain of a pain round her front to half way round her back on the left side.  She must of put a water sample in every week fortnight for almost 18 months.  Numerous water infections were detected and anti biotics were given.  Eventually she had an appointment with a consultant which i attended with her, explained what was happening, and his response was it is not gall stones and he didnt want to put her through a operation at her age when the symptons she has said would not go away by having operation.  No further appointments were given yet she continued to be in pain.

January this year i noticed a big chance in my mum, she went from jumping on bus and going to supermarket for a loaf of bread, to not wanting to leave the house.  Within 10 days of this happening i had taken her to see an emergency dr, who took one look at her and said take her to A&E.  I did this and she was admitted to a local hospital where they diagnosed a 'very bad water infection' and discharged her next day.  Her symptons were very servere and i took her back to her gp and was begging him to admit her to hospital again.  Was told there was a procedure to follow and hospitals are not the best place for people ill to be!.  He did arrange for an emergency camera to her stomach and her bowel.  When this was carried out one weeks apart they found nothing, again i took her back to dr and demanded that something happen, told him i wanted her weighed as she weighed 10s10lb on 1 feb when he weighed her she weigh 9s4lb (middle of march), he agreed to send her for a camera into her bladder and her kidney gave me the forms to 'choose & book' her appointment, i came home straight on pc and booked her appointments, one was 7 weeks and other 9 weeks from that date.  By this time my mum was in constant pain, stopped eatting due to D&S and really struggling.  My dad had a communtiy matron due to ill health and on visiting him she looked at my mum, said we are not waiting any longer, called dr and demanded my mum be admitted urgently to hospital.  She was in hospital for 10 days when they carried out a scan what does the full body (sorry cant remember the name) and she was then given a consultant, who discovered she has very high grade, invasive bladder cancer, given her weeks to months to live as no treatment would be suitable for her.  She had to have a stent put in her kidney as one kindey had packed up and other was bearly working, said this will give her a little relief. 

She has now been home 6 weeks and sadly my dad died 4 weeks ago, we have noticed mum is changing colour, nurse said yesterday her renial functions are bearly working, she is getting weaker by the day, but refuses to leave the house, adamant that she will not go back to hospital or a hospice.  Over the last 10 days mum has become very angry, bitter and is refusing to talk, just wants to be in her room smoking herself to death. 

I am a person who tends to speak what i think, and although i have great respect for my mum i am struggling the way she is dealing with it.  I have said to her today i may not be able to help but she can talk to me, not to exclude us, i am the youngest of 6 children, 4 live locally, my brother and i are with my mum constantly 24/7 i have just returned home first time in 4 days, but i have noticed when i am going home my mum anger and bitterness increases towards me, I want to spend all my time with my mum, and have no regrets on that front but today i feel like i need to get away from it all. 

Sorry to sound nasty towards her, i just want to let her know how much she means to me, maybe im also bitter at losing both parents, i have accepted my mum is going to die, just cant handle her excluding me.

 

Anonymous
  • FormerMember
    FormerMember

    hi thanks for the supporting replies.

    My mum has a district nurse, she has a macmillan helper, think he is more of a advisor, spoke to him on tuesday as he was about to have 2 weeks leave he said he would arrange for someone to call on  wednesday to reasses her needs and no one been todate.  she hs no carers just me who assists in her hygine but she is also a proud indepandant woman. My brother stays when i am not there but he is more of a sitter as she would never allow him to do anything personal.  She is of sound mind, soon as mentioned having to go back to hospital she became a physical nervous wreck, crying etc.  the dr has given her assurance she wants to remain and home and the aim is to carry out her wishes.  When dr came last night he said the macmillan nurse has promised to attend today.  I spoke at length to her sister in law last night who is going to call and hopefully mum may open up to her. I accept that its all about mums wishes, and if i could swap places with her i would.  

    once again many thanks,

    splash x

  • FormerMember
    FormerMember

    Hi, I hope your mum decides to have the blood transfusion, I'm sure she will feel so much better after it. I can understand her fears though.

    Wishing you and mum all the very best. Christine xx