Hi I’m new to the forum. I’d just like to vent some feelings if I can. I don’t really have anyone to talk to unfortunately. My mum was diagnosed with lung cancer with brain metastasis in March. The only treatment offered is 2 palliative radiotherapy treatments, she had one last week, 2nd one this week. She is on Dexamethasone to help control symptoms. Her mobility is now extremely poor but other than being slightly confused at times, she’s not doing too bad. But it’s not mum.
It’s so cruel & we are a very small family unit. There is me, an only child, my dad who is 87, my husband & daughter. There are no friends or neighbours to help us unfortunately. Dad is there 24/7 but I am there every day doing all the cooking, cleaning, laundry etc as well as sorting the healthcare side - we all know how time consuming that is as, well as running my own home & trying to be there for my daughter. I am very lucky to have a good husband who helps me a great deal & keeps things going at my home as well as getting my daughter to her activities when he’s not working.
Mum did so much for Dad, as was the way with their generation so therefore he doesn’t cook, do washing etc or anything. I feel overwhelmed by the situation although I don’t show it as they all need me to be strong & what will happen in the future when we lose mum. Dad will be very isolated as he can’t drive due to his eyesight so he will be totally dependent on me when the time comes. We don’t know how long we have with her as she didn’t want to know, but my poor old dad looks tired. We have had some wonderful practical help from the local community teams & mum now has a bed downstairs as of 3 days ago as the stairs were virtually impossible for her & very dangerous, so that has been a relief. I just don’t know how we are going to cope to be honest. I’m sure we will, we have to don’t we? What a cruel cruel disease. Wishing you all the best with your journeys & my apologies for the negativity!
