First time I’ve written in this group but finally ready to acknowledge my new normal. My mum was diagnosed with neuro-endocrine bowel and liver cancer three months ago. I’ve moved in to care for her, I’m 34 and never imagined this would be the year of 2025. Her diagnosis is incurable cancer but they can shrink the tumors, she’s started intravenous chemotherapy which is horrendous to watch her go through it. I’m her sole carer and although I have other friends to help with practical bits I feel so alone. I don’t feel like my mums here anymore, like there’s something else that’s replaced her.
My mums usually the life of the party but seeing someone else in replacement has really knocked me. I’ve recently become involved with a new partner which is also so hard to navigate although they are incredibly understanding of my time and circumstances. I feel cancer keeps putting everything on hold, I can’t seem to catch a break. I want respite but every time I go to sort something no one is there to help me. We take a few steps forward with mum and then last Thursday she had a spasm episode where the bowel was playing up. It set us back after the progress we were making, she was up and about hours before and now she’s back in bed immobile and worse than she was before.
I have one aunt left and she seems to be in denial but also not able to cope or support me. She comes when it’s convenient and easy for her, she’s not here when it’s the worst moments. I feel like Cancer is driving a wedge between me and my loved ones. I feel guilty for being angry and irritable, I don’t feel like a daughter…I feel like someone just going through the motions to look after someone.
My emotions are everywhere and I can’t be myself in front of my mum -feeling like I need to protect her from my sadness, anger and sometimes resentment. As I’m the closest to her, a lot gets taken out on me which sometimes makes me want to run away. I love my mum with all my heart but sometimes I can’t cope. I can’t be what she wants me to be. I’m learning to ask for help but it doesn’t come naturally and I hate burdening people so it’s a learning curve to me, all of this.
I guess my question to the community is ‘Do things get better?’ Will I find moments where I don’t have to worry about having a night away with my partner that I can just feel a bit normal. Will she ever get to live her life again? Will I get my mum back?
Hi ilovemycairn welcome to the forum and I am so glad that you felt able to reach out. But hey whoa you are not burdening anyone you are reaching out in what sounds like the most difficult situationever and asking will it get any better. Your mum is lucky to have such a caring daughter but if you imagine us all with a piece of elastic attached when caring. The first stretch is seeing your mum.
s she is and struggling with that. The 2nd stretch is no respite and navigating the system. The 3rd stretch is your aunt who isn't offering much by way of help. The 4th stretch is you trying to keep
all those emotions in and not letting anyone see you struggling. Wow that elastic is pulled so tightly now it's likely to snap back. Before that happens please pick up the phone and have a chat with
the team at Macmillan and they may be able to offer practical advice for you as well as being good listeners. 08088080000. In the meantime we are here for you
️ and I'm sending some much needed huge big hugs your way for now. Gail.x
I’m really sorry that you’re going through this, and as someone battling similar emotions, I know there aren’t really many words that provide comfort.
I’m turning 30 soon and feel like my whole world has turned upside down since finding out my mum has stage 4 cancer. Although the treatment is aimed at removing the cancer, the likelihood of recurrence is significant enough for it to be deemed incurable.
Each day comes with so many emotions, fear at what the day ahead holds, fear about the future, not knowing when life will ever feel close to any semblance of “normal” again, fear about my changing identity, fear about not coping well, guilt about not coping well, guilt about being healthy when she isn’t, guilt about not being able to be the same partner I was able to be before (my boyfriend is very supportive and also went through a similar situation with his own mum at the beginning of our relationship but that can also bring guilt as his mum sadly passed away and I know that seeing my mum go through a similar thing is bringing back horrible memories for him). I feel guilty for feeling sad about some of my lost plans when my mum is facing such a difficult battle. I love her very much and want to support as much as I can so it makes me feel guilty that I’m struggling with all these emotions especially when I’m having to hide it as much as I can to not upset her. It sucks cause I know it breaks my mum’s heart to see me putting my life on hold for her, and she’s already struggling with the shift in our dynamic with me taking on a more caring role when that’s always been her role.
We’re at the start of her treatment journey, with surgery scheduled for later this week but I know it’ll get more intense after that which is really scary. I‘ll be her main carer as I live at home with her but I do have siblings who have said they’ll provide support. This isn’t something that anyone should feel like they have to go through alone. I’ve read about things such as respite care and needs assessments for carers who have limited support so it may be worth looking into that if that could be an option for you. You definitely deserve a break, and to feel like you’re able to take that break without it impacting your mum’s care. I’d recommend calling the Macmillan support line as they may be able to provide advice or an ear to vent to. I’ve also heard people suggest an organisation called Maggies, although I’ve not yet used them.
I can’t provide answers to a lot of your questions as I have similar ones but I wanted to reply that you’re not alone in these feelings and wishing you and your mum all the best xx
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