Hello,
I’m new to this, so I don’t really know where to start. My Mum was diagnosed with Stage 4 bone cancer two weeks ago. The hospital have said that it is treatable and that she has a good chance of making it to 80, she’s 75 now.
She is really struggling with the news and is desperately sad, as we all are. She had breast cancer 19 years ago and seemed to recover completely but it looks as though it’s finally caught up with her.
We are so worried about her as she is hardly eating and doesn’t want to get up at all. She is drinking quite a lot too, which is really worrying. She did eat a little bit this evening but promptly threw it all up. She’s getting so weak.
The way she is going now, I can’t see how she’ll be strong enough to cope with the treatment. How do I get her to eat?
It’s completely heart breaking seeing her like this, I just want to help to make her strong. If anyone has any thoughts, I’d be so grateful.
Hi
Totally agree with the above, at this point any calories are often good calories.
Looking at what you have said about a good chance of making it to 80 I suspect could be confusing. Cancer survival rates are often previously given to a five year boundary on the basis that is can become difficult to distinguish between people with cancer and people without.
Possibly looking at the section "if cancer comes back" here might give you some ideas or at least help to recognize these feelings.
For you mum it might be worth getting her to talk to the oncology team just in case there is something else going on and they can refer to a dietician if needed - being sick we all recognize I am sure to be one of the most off-putting experiences.
It might be helpful for you too to look through Looking after someone with cancer because it is difficult and I learnt the hard way I had to look after myself too.
<<hugs>>
Steve
