Tuesday this week I visited my brother(lives alone)who up until then had led me to believe he was on top of everything and attending his appointments(the appointments I found out were telephone appts) for his diagnosis of Primary Liver Cancer. He had been told immunotherapy was on hold due to his enzymes. I felt a punch to the stomach when I saw him at the door! He was waiting to be moved to assisted living unfortunately I had to get him to hospital fast as he had developed bad ascites. I knew immediately he would need help from a hospice when he came out and yesterday they called me to say he would be transferred after this weekend. I know they have him stabilised and more comfortable now. It is difficult to get through on the phones for a daily update(no visits obviously).
I cannot wait to see him again as I honestly thought I wouldn’t see my little bro again but at the same time I’m fearful that I won’t be able to hold it together when I see him face to face because I don’t want to upset him. I feel like I’m walking along a beach when the waves come crashing in every so often and I cry my eyes out thinking of how we played as children and sometimes how I was the horrible bossy sister and I should have been nicer to him!
Hi Bigsissue and a very warm welcome to the Online Community although I am so sorry to hear about your brother and the challenges he is facing. This is such a challenging and stressful time for all the family but I do hope you will find lots of support and comfort as you connect in with the Online Community.
The New to Community is like our reception desk where we can signpost you to our various cancer specific support groups and other services so can I recommend that in the first instant you consider joining our supportive Liver cancer group. This will be a safe place to talk to others who may have a similar diagnosis, treatment experience, to ask questions and get support and talk with others who are supporting family and friends on their journey.
If you'd like to connect in with a group, you do need to join the group. Click on the Green link I have created above. Then once the page opens click on the black banner that says [click to join] at the bottom, or the [Join] button under "Group tools."
You can then introduce yourself by putting up a ‘new post’ by clicking in the box near the top right with + New (Computers) or + (Mobile Devices). You will then see a dropdown menu so hit ‘Start a Discussion in New here, say hello’ and you are ready to go.
You could copy and paste the text from this your first post. You can also search through existing ‘Discussions’ and click [reply] if you want to put up a comment.
When it comes to the practical challenges of supporting someone on their cancer journey you may benefit from joining our supportive Carers only and Supporting someone with incurable cancer groups where you will connect with others supporting family and friends
The Macmillan Support Line is open 8am-8pm (timings may differ across services) 7 days a week on 0808 808 00 00 or via web chat. This service provides cancer information, emotional support, benefits and financial guidance or just a listening ear. You may also find our Ask an Expert section helpful but do allow a few working days for a reply.
Always around if you need further help in navigating the community.
All the very best ((hugs))
