My mum was diagnosed with lung cancer 3 years ago. For most of this time she has responded well to the treatment which was a targeted drug therapy. We found out earlier this year that the treatment had stopped working and she needed some new blood tests to decide the next course of treatment. Whilst waiting for results, we found out in March that the cancer has spread to her brain. She came out of hospital on steroids and fortunately was also able to start a new cancer drug that will hopefully treat both the lung and brain. Since then though she has suffered with a stomach infection so had to stop the cancer meds and take antibiotics. She seemed to go down hill with one thing after another. Whilst she is back on the xav er drugs she is still having to take steroids and seems to be very up and down. Feelings of numbness in her left side, and pain in her back. For the first few years I was able to stay positive as she really didn’t seem ill and was just my same old mum. Now It just feels different and struggling to see any signs of improvements. I try to stay positive but finding it harder to do and hoping a support group might help.
Hi and a warm welcome to the Online Community although I am so sorry to hear about your mum’s diagnosis.m and journey. A cancer diagnosis like this in the family can be so stressful and challenging but I do hope you find the community a safe place to get support and ask your questions.
The New to Community area is our reception desk where we can signpost you to our various cancer support groups and other services so can I recommend that you consider joining our supportive Lung Cancer and Brain, secondary tumours groups. There are safe places to talk to others who may have a similar diagnosis, treatment experience, to ask questions and talk with others who are supporting family and friends on their journey.
If you'd like to connect in with a group click on the Green (Bold) link I have created above. Then once the group 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 or + (Depending on the device you are using) and you are ready to go.
You could copy and paste the text from this post into your new post and as always you can reply to existing ‘Discussions’ by click [reply].
When it comes to the practical and emotional challenges of supporting someone you may benefit from joining our general Carers only group 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 Webchat and Email too. This service provides cancer information, practical information, emotional support, benefits/financial guidance or just a listening ear and our Cancer Nurse Team in our Ask an Expert section may be helpful but do allow a few working days for a reply.
Always around if you need further help in navigating the community.
Wishing you all the very best.
