In January 2025 my mum was diagnosed with colorectal cancer which has likely spread to her lungs. This has come as a huge shock. And on top of that she isn't well enough for any form of treatment and wouldn't survive surgery (she's young but is very frail due to other health conditions etc).
I work in healthcare so I tend to be the person the family turn to for information and support.
I'm worried about how I'll cope at work. I work with palliative teams and I can't make mistakes at work either. I'm currently working full time but I'm struggling with this. However, I don't get much sick pay so I'm trying to hold off on using this. It's a worry financially on top of everything else.
Anyone got any advice on how they have supported others and themselves through this? What has worked for you ?
I'm struggling with sleeping with trying to cope with all the different aspects of the situation and mums prognosis isn't very clear.
Thank you
hi Keebriel
Welcome to the family and friends forum, I am Steve and my experience of cancer is through my wife who has Leiomyosarcoma so something a bit different to your mum but in Janice's case it had definitely spread to her lungs.
Janice never wanted a prognosis and I really struggled with that, nobody could have guessed however that she would still be alive and well over 10 years down the line so I guess she was right. Generally unless there is some specific benefit then a prognosis can end up being of little use.
I find some benefit to looking at your feelings when someone has cancer to be quite helpful in being able to recognize the emotions and accept them as both normal and valid can help to make them less overwhelming. I did a living with less stress course and one part that helped was around conscious breathing in that it was useful when life decides to throw us another curve ball but also helped me relax too. It might be worth speaking to your GP to see if there is anything they can do to help you. It might also help to contact one of our work support advisors to help you look at your options - just call the Macmillan Support Line on 0808 808 00 00 from Monday to Friday 8am-6pm.
<<hugs>>
Steve
