Terminal Cancer

Hi PAD and welcome to the Macmillan Community but so sorry to hear about your family members diagnosis and prognosis.

A cancer diagnosis like this in the family can be such a challenging and stressful time but getting support from others who are dealing with the ‘exact same' support challenges can help a lot.

The Community is actually divided into Support Groups (Discussion Rooms) and when it comes to the practical and emotional challenges of supporting family and friends you may benefit from joining and posting in our Supporting someone with incurable cancer support group where you will connect with others navigating the exact same support challenges.

To connect with the group click on this link Supporting someone with incurable cancer then once the group page opens click on “Click to Join” when the black banner appears or “Join” under “Group Tools” (this all depends on the device you are using)

You can then put up your own post when you’re ready by clicking “+new” or “+” in the top right next to the group title. You can copy and paste the text from this post into your new post. You can also scroll through other members posts and click “Reply” to get involved.

It’s a challenging time for you so you may want to use 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.

We also have our Ask an Expert section but do allow a few working days for a reply.

It us an emotional time supporting family so you might find this Macmillan information your feelings when someone has cancer helpful as well as this link getting help with your emotions.

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.

Do get back to me if you need further help navigating the community.

Hello,  my mum hasalso been diagnosed with terminal liver and lung cancer. I am struggling to keep things together and manage work etc. I totally know what you are going through. 

Hi Michael29 and I am so sorry to read about your mum.

Do follow up the various links I gave PAD as there are places where you can talk with others who are in the same position.

Thank you, 

I’m so sorry to hear this Michael, I feel your pain. i do feel numb and I feel like I can always see a positive side of things, but this I can’t really see any positive side of this. My only advice or support, is make sure you get the chance to see your friends or go to a local club, cancer seems to consume everything and it’s important for your own mental health to get a break. Sending a virtual hug. 

Thank you. I do have support in place but no matter how many times I speak to someone it still hurts 

Of course, I understand, it’s so tough and sadly I definitely don’t have the words. How has your mum taken the diagnosis? 

Not very well if honest although she does try to put on a brave face. 

Yes that’s the same as mine. Has she reached out to the macmillan nurses?  

She has and has one visiting every week.