Supporting my Mum

Hi LemonCake and a warm welcome to the Macmillan Community but so sorry to hear about your mum’s diagnosis.

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 you a lot…….

This New to Community area is like our reception desk where we try to direct you to the best part of the Community for you to get support.

The Community is actually divided into dedicated Support Groups (Discussion Rooms) and when it comes to the practical and emotional challenges of supporting your mum and indeed yourself you may benefit from joining and posting in our……

 Carers only

 Supporting someone with incurable cancer

……. support groups where you will connect with a wide range of members navigating the exact same support challenges.

To connect with a group click on the “Bold Italic Links” I have created above …… then once the group page opens click in the [Black - Click to Join - Banner] that appears at the bottom of the page and this will then confirm that you have joined the group.

When you are ready……. you can introduce yourself by putting up your very own post by clicking [+ Create new post] or [+] in the top right of the group page.

You can copy and paste the text from this post into your new post.

It is 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.

The Macmillan Support Line is open between 8am-8pm (timings may differ across services) 7 days a week on 0808 808 00 00…… this service provides cancer information, practical information, emotional support, benefits/financial guidance or just a listening ear.

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 Lemon cake ,

I'm so sorry that you and your Mum are having to deal with this . My hubby is in a similar position sadly . I want to reassure you that you will be able to do this for Mum . Our daughter  is a wonderful support for both of us , and I'm sure  you will be the same . You are both in my prayers

Hi LemonCake, and a warm welcome from me, though I'm so sorry to hear about your mum,  something I too went through with my mum, we went from a walk around a Christmas market, to 3 days later being told she had 4 months to live, feeling numb, lost and alone and no idea what to do was frightening, LemonCake,  as Zillah has said, we all find the strength to do what seems at this moment a daunting task, but we find a way, if I could give you a few suggestions, firstly don't try to do everything by yourself,  there is wonderful support out there, your local hospice and their palliative care team and the district nurses, are amazing, you access them through your GP, just ask them for a referral, the hospice and team, can keep on top of any pain or discomfort, supporting both your mum and you, enabling your mum to make the most of what time she has, the district nurses, can access specialist nurses and  any equipment needed, also please don't forget to look after yourself, I know you want to be with your mum all the time, but by giving yourself just an hour a day to do something you enjoy, that helps you relax, is so important for your health and your ability to give the best care you can to your mum. I would just like to say, though it was a difficult time caring for mum, it was also a rewarding one, we were always close, but grew much closer, and was proud to have been there for mum when she needed me most. We all find a way my friend, as you will, best wishes 

Eddie xx