My mum was diagnosed just yesterday with stomach cancer. It was our absolute worst fear after she needed an endoscopy but at the time they only discussed finding an ulcer. I’m just completely lost. The shock is unbelievable, she is the fittest 70 year old I’ve ever met, doesn’t drink doesn’t smoke etc. I can’t talk about it on any way without breaking down totally. The prognosis seems to be awful (although we don’t know what stage it is). Is there any hope? Is there anything I can be doing whilst waiting for scans etc?
Hi ,
So sorry to hear about your mother, I can see from your words how much of a shock this has been to you. I am guessing though as there is no knowledge of stage etc that she does not have an official prognosis. My wife's cancer is very different and she was always clear she was not interested in a prognosis - I really struggled with that at first but now over six years down the line I realised how right she was. A prognosis is a best a guess based on averages and usually out of date averages too to are often tend to the pessimistic side.
One thing it might be worth you doing is looking through the information on Looking after someone with cancer, especially the bits around our emotional needs. You took what I hope will be a great step by coming here, post whenever as someone is always listening - expect some bad days but really celebrate good days. I did a living with less stress course with Maggie's that really helped me.
Hopefully because they were thinking it was an ulcer they will have found the cancer early - that might be the best news of all in the circumstances and then it is generally easier to treat.
<<hugs>>
Steve
