Hi there. My neice had a brain tumor 7 years ago whilst pregnant. She had surgery to remove it and it was successful. She couldnt have any follow up treatment like chemo due to her pregnancy. She has been having general follow up scans since and last year they said they found another one. She had another op in Dec and was told this was a different grade 1 tumor and wouldnt need chemo just follow up scans. She has been told now after her scan that it is stable and will only need intervention if it changes. She is really struggling with having to live the uncertain of whether it is going to change and grow again. She says its like a ticking time bomb and i feel helpless as cannot help her. I just cant imagine how she must feel everday not knowing when the day will be if it returns. How can i get her help with coping with this? Many thanks
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Hi Lyndsey, I am having problems posting to your question, I will see if some of the other Community Team can help out.
Hi , I haven’t got the same cancer as your niece but have had my fair share of uncertainty since my diagnosis nearly 5 years ago. The thing that has helped me recently while going through a blip is joining a HOPE course (help overcoming problems effectively). It’s course run devised between Coventry University and Macmillan. I did it in February before Covid but now my local cancer centre are offering a virtual course over the Internet, they also did some follow up virtual mindfulness which helped with keeping positive as well.
My local specialist cancer nurse has a remit for the psychological side and was aware of what’s available locally so your niece might want to contact hers. She might also find joining the community and talking to others in a similar situation may help.
The ‘In your area’ button on the site in the green band may also be of help.
If you are continuing to support your niece you may want to join the supportive Friends and family group. I’m putting a link below to it and the brain cancer group.
https://community.macmillan.org.uk/cancer_experiences/being_a_relative_/discussions
https://community.macmillan.org.uk/cancer_types/brain-cancer/discussions
Best wishes
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