Morning, I’m new to the group and I wasn’t sure whether to post something or not.
My granny was recently diagnosed with cancer of the lung, breast and lymph glands behind the chest and was given approximately 6 months. She is positive and upbeat certainly to us anyway and is carrying on as normal. She doesn’t know the time scale but does know it’s not long after a conversation with her doctor about whether she would be here for her 60th wedding anniversary in July.
Im struggling to process and accept this diagnosis, partly because to look at her she is healthy and she has even said she’s never felt so good in years. I’m also struggling with not being able to spend time with her due to lockdown. I feel time is running out and it’s heartbreaking not being able to spend the next few months with her and making memories for myself and my daughter. I’m also not sure what to tell my daughter, she is 6 and knows that my granny’s lungs are sick but I don’t know how to do explain what is likely to happen
sorry if that’s a big ramble.
Hi and welcome to the online community
I'm very sorry to hear that your granny has recently been diagnosed with lung cancer which has spread. This must be a very difficult time for the whole family especially with social distancing just at the time when you all want to come together.
It's good to hear that she is positive and upbeat and feels well. Don't forget that the 6 months you have been told she has left is only an average based on people with her type of cancer, but everyone's cancer is unique and the timeframe is only a guideline.
Is it possible for you and your daughter to keep in touch with your granny via Skype or Facetime? I know that's not the same as actually being with her but it's a great way of keeping in touch.
Macmillan have this excellent information about talking to children about cancer which will hopefully help you explain it to your daughter. You could also take a look at your feelings when someone has cancer as it talks about ways you can cope with your feelings about your granny.
You might also benefit from joining the supporting someone with incurable cancer group where you can discuss your worries about losing your granny as well as practical issues. If you'd like to do this click on the link I've created and then choose 'join this group' on the page that opens.
Sending a supportive ((hug))
"Never regret a day in your life, good days give you happiness, bad days give you experience"
