My mum is starting chemo

Hey

It's nice to meet you, and welcome, although I'm sorry for the reason you find yourself here. 

Just like you, my mum was diagnosed with an aggressive form of breast cancer last November, I'm 23 and although I'm young, cancer has effected my life far too much already. But its something else altogether when it's your mum. My mum is like my best friend, so I know how difficult it is. My mum had her chemo before her surgery, and a couple of weeks ago she finished chemo. 

It is difficult, I'm not going to lie. Shaving my mums hair off broke my heart, and not being able to take it all away from here broke my heart a little more. But you've just got to be there for her. I know its daunting, the thought of chemo. But itll be a lot more scary for your mum, so just try to support her as much as you can, and listen to her when she's scared, worried, tired or feels like giving up. To find more Information on the chemo your mum is about to have, as you didnt state which type, if you search it on the search bar of this website, it will guide you to the relevant information and give you an Insight of what symptoms may arise. 

The best thing you can do physically is to help her when she's feeling tired, or struggling to get around, check her temperature regularly to keep an eye out for infections, especially from day 5-10 post chemo as those are the higher risk days for infection. Also, try to make sure she drinks plenty, staying hydrated throughout the rounds. Drinking extra on the day and day after chemo will help flush it out too. And if she has nausea or sickness, or any other symptoms such as oral thrush which my mum suffered with terribly, dont hesitate to ask your mums oncologist or nurses for medication for these things, or if one medication isn't working, ask for an alternative that may be more effective and help your mum a lot more. And just make sure she does what her body tells her to do, if she's sleepy, she sleeps, if she feels like she doesnt want to have a wash one day, she doesnt. Just go with the flow of how her body feels. 

I'm always here, and so is this wonderful community, so you'll always have someone to talk to or vent to. I know how hard it can be, so anytime you need anything, or want to ask something, you know where I am. 

Lots of love to you and your amazing mum, getting through the mastectomy is already a huge thing, so I'm sure she will be fine through chemo. I wish you both the best, and do let us know how she gets on, or if you have any concerns or queries about her treatment, our 'Ask A Nurse' section is perfect. Again, lots of love and healing, 

Alex xxxx

Thank you so much LexiT7.

Reading this has been really helpful. I now know what to look out for and you had some very useful tips!

My Mum had a slightly rare cancer being it wasn’t just one lump it was like salt grains all in her breast, this is how the surgeon described it. I will find out what type and search it as you suggested!

thank you so much! 

Ella xx

I'm so glad I could help, and hopefully comfort you in some way! 

One extra tip, is when she doesnt feel like eating, or her taste has changed so badly that everything tastes horrible, try to get her to drink Hot Chocolate or milkshakes, anything she likes, but I found with Mum drinking them, it gave her the calories and she didn't think of it as actually eating something, sneaky! Haha. And with the Temperature, each hospital has their own 'normal' temperature range, so just ask what your mums hospital classes as high and low, and when to call them. They should give you all the info and contact numbers you need. 

Oh gosh, I've not heard of a breast cancer like that before, but well done to your mum for getting through her surgery! I know sometimes you dont want to know about these things, but I found looking at information about mums cancer and chemo, really helped as I could understand what her breast surgeon and oncologist were saying, and could refer to the 'normal symptoms' so I knew if something was wrong or not. So in that way, i think knowing about it is a good thing.  My mums was rare, and after just 1/6 chemo, the lump had almost gone! From 4.5cm. So stay positive hunni! For you and your mum. 

But like I said, we are always here as carers need someone to talk to too, and find it just as difficult. I know that, so I completely understand you. 

Lots of love, 

Alex xxxx