My Mum's Secondary Cancer Diagnosis - Anticipating Grief and Navigating Through It

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Hi All,

I'm seeking any sort of advice/support that I (21y/o F) can get about my Mum's (46y/o F) diagnosis of Metastatic Meningioma.

For context, back in 2021, my Mum was diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer. She went underwent, chemotherapy, a lumpectomy and radiotherapy, all of which was successful and gave her the all clear in 2023. 

She fell ill at the end of May this year which after a month of GP appointments, different medications, scans and hospital visits uncovered that she has Metastatic Meningioma which has bene explained to us a a very rare cancer. In her case she has a tumour in the lining of her brain and one on her spine. My family's world has been absolutely shattered. There are no treatments that can be offered to cure her and I'm struggling to come terms with the idea that I'm losing the most important person in my life. I visit her everyday (she is now in a hospice) but struggling doesn't even explain how I feel.

I have a great support network of family, friends and my partner, but wanted to turn to anyone else who might have been through or is going through something similar.

I have an incredibly close relationship with my Mum, she's my world and I can't fathom that we're losing her. She has been unbelievably strong from her very first diagnosis in 2021 up to now and often reminds me that 'some people step out of their front doors and don't come home to their loved ones' and that we're lucky to have been given time that we can spend with her. But the thought of living without her is just unimaginable.

I've know about Macmillan for a few years now, but with our situation, I thought trying to turn to you lovely people might be able to help me in some way.

Thank you in advance.

  • Hi  

    Welcome to our community, I hope you find it both informative and supportive.

    I am Steve, one of our community champions and my experience of cancer is via my wife who has Leiomyosarcoma.

    One of the bizarre things that helped me at one stage was when 6 people were killed at Didcot power station, like your mum said they were people who did not come home.

    There is quite a good article on anticipatory grief here that might be useful. I actually did a living with less stress course with Maggies and part of that was helping me appreciate what we have in the here and now. 

    <<hugs>>

    Steve

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