Hi everyone,
I’ve been reading your posts and my heart goes out to you all. I hope you’re getting support and comfort here and in the ‘real world’.
my mum has Bowel Cancer 5 years ago and her treatment was very successful, so imagine the feeling in the out of my stomach 5 weeks ago when she complained of abdominal pain and was admitted to hospital, then told that she had a tumour on her pancreas and a few days later, after scans, X-rays and ultrasound, she also has modules on her lung and liver.
We’ve not actually been told that she’s stage 4 but we get the impression that she is, because she’s not been treated for it at all as she hasn’t seen a Cancer specialist, but suddenly 3.5 weeks ago she went into Ketoacidosis and her pancreas stopped working so she’s been in hospital since then and is now on Insulin as she’s become T1 Diabetic as a result.
The tumour is blocking the bile duct and so they are doing a procedure tomorrow to put a Biliary Drain and if she recovers well and it’s successful, we hope to get her home (to live with my hubby and I so we can care for her).
her consultant is going to refer her to the Pancreatic Cancer specialist after she’s discharged but we know she’s on borrowed time and will make the most of it. She’s planning shopping sprees and lazy lunches, and that’s all fine with me!
So that’s my story so far. I never visited this site last time she was ill, I just got on with the job of taking her everywhere and caring for her throughout the treatments. I just always knew she’d be fine, but this is very different. I have a constant knot in my tummy and zero appetite - I’m not even craving my beloved M&S trifle!!
I’ve got so many questions but don’t know where to start, so mum’s McMillan nurse pointed me here, and she’s amazing. They all are, it’s a true vocation to be a good nurse and/or carer but to be a palliative care nurse is another level. They astonish me.
Anyway, enough of my rambling. thanks for reading!
Hi and a warm welcome to the Online Community although I am so sorry to hear about your mum’s diagnosis and prognosis. 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 and when it comes to the practical and emotional challenges of supporting someone you may benefit from joining our general Carers only and Supporting someone with incurable cancer groups. These are safe places to talk to others who are supporting family and friends on their journey, to ask questions and get support.
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].
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.
Talking to people face to face can be very helpful so do check to see if you have any Local Macmillan Support in your area, do also check for a local Maggie's Centre as these folks are amazing and provide support for all the family.
Always around if you need further help in navigating the community.
Wishing you all the very best.
