Hi all. My mum has just been diagnosed with a brain tumour. I found out this morning that they are going to treat her as palliative. She doesn’t even know the full story yet. It has all been such a shock. I dread her knowing the final diagnosis. Would love some advice.
Hi and welcome to the online community
I'm very sorry to hear that your mum has been diagnosed with a brain tumour. It must be an incredibly difficult time for you both.
It is always scary when you hear the word 'palliative' but the aim of palliative care is to help your mum have a good quality of life with a cancer that cannot be cured. Having palliative care doesn’t necessarily mean that your mum is likely to die soon – some people receive palliative care for years. Your mum can also have palliative care alongside treatments, therapies and medicines aimed at controlling her illness, such as chemotherapy or radiotherapy. This information from Marie Curie will tell you more.
I think it would be a good idea for you to join one of the brain tumour groups and, as I don't know the details of your mum's diagnosis, I'll link you to all of them. You can then have a look and decide which one you think is the most suitable to enable you to ask questions, share experiences and get support.
The first is the brain tumours group, the next is the glioblastoma multiforme brain tumour group and the last is the low-grade brain tumours group.
You might also like to join the supporting someone with incurable cancer group where you can discuss your worries as well as talk about practical issues.
To join any or all of these groups just click on the links I've created and then choose 'join this group' on the pages that open. You can then introduce yourself and post a question after selecting 'start a discussion' and join in with existing conversations by clicking on 'reply'.
When you have a minute it would be really useful if could pop something about your mum's journey so far into your profile as it helps others when answering or looking for someone with a similar diagnosis. It also means that you don't have to keep repeating yourself. To do this click on your username and then select 'Edit Profile'. You can amend it at any time and if you're not sure what to write you can take a look at mine by clicking on my username.
x
"Never regret a day in your life, good days give you happiness, bad days give you experience"
Hi and welcome to the Online Community, although I am sorry to see you finding us and so sorry to hear about your mum.
A cancer diagnosis can bring a lot of stress, confusion and questions on........ but talking with people who are on the same journey can help a lot.
Can I direct you to this link to our very supportive Supporting Someone with Incurable Cancer group as this will open up your concerns to a wider audience who know exactly what you are going through at the moment.
You may also find our Carers Only and Friends and Family groups good places where you can connect with others support family through their cancer journey but more importantly the carers care for each other.
Just follow the links I have created then hit the ‘Join This Group’ tab just under the main group names, then go to the 'Start a Discussion' tab and set up your very own Discussion and introduce yourself to the group and ask your questions.
This site is organised into various groups so we do have lots of support groups that are Cancer specific and also ones that are general Cancer experience groups.
You may find our various Macmillan Support Line Services to be helpful - call them on 0808 808 00 00 This free service covers Emotional Support, Practical Information. Clinical Information, Financial Support and Work Guidance mostly open 8.00 to 8.00 but check the link.
We also have our ‘Ask an Expert’. section where you can post questions to our mostly Volunteer Experts but please allow 2 working days to get a reply.
Our Online Information and Support Section is a good place to find information covering cancer diagnosis, treatments and pages covering most types of cancers.
Talking to people face to face can help a lot so check to see if you have any Local Macmillan Support in your area or a Maggie’s Centre as these folks are amazing.
When you feel up to it try putting some information in your profile. This really helps others when answering. It also means that you don't have to keep repeating yourself. Just click on YOUR username, select 'Edit Profile'. Put as much or as little in your profile and you can amend it at any time - you can see members profiles by hitting our forum names.
All the very best.
