Found out of the blue in June that mum has stage 4 colorectal cancer and is currently on 5 out of 6 chemo. Side effects getting worse and mum is so much more depressed and as the rescan comes around, we are as a family so scared as to what the outcome is - especially since it feels we have only had bad news with surgery or immunotherapy not being an option for mum. I myself am 21 and trying to live a ‘normal life’ but am so damn scared.
Also feel so guilty by saying this but mum before cancer was so optimistic and excited by life but now I see in her eyes that she does not believe that she has long left, which really frustrates me. I need her to believe that she can and will fight this
i am so confused as to how this has happened since my mum has been so healthy throughout her life and literally the best human I know, I feel so angry and helpless
Any suggestions on how to built my mums confidence back and try and get her closer to believing that she can and will overcome this?
Hi stratocaster
Sorry to hear about your mum, from what you write it does sound a little like what is often described as scanxiety setting in and it is very common - that feeling of have I gone through all this for no real reason - like in the post here.
It might help you to look at Supporting a family member with cancer - especially the bit about emotions, being scared is very normal as is guilt and 101 other emotions too.
Perhaps the best we can be though is to be the best we can be - and show our love to those we know deserve it whatever.
<<hugs>>
Steve
