Hi I’m new here. My mum who is 75 years old broke her upper arm and the hospital did a full body CT scan to check bone density. The scan showed 2 shadows on her lung. She had a biopsy and last week we found out it was cancerous. She is having a PET scan today to see if it has spread and next week we know what treatment they are thinking off. I have had friends whose relatives have gone through chemo and I’m really unsure how mum will copy.
Hi Emmalynda and a very warm welcome to the Macmillan Community but ever so sorry to hear about your mum.
I know from experience having been on my cancer journey for over 26 years with two very rare, hard to treat types of Non Hodgkin’s Lymphomas (one incurable), Asbestosis and Prostate Cancer that navigating this journey can be such a stressful and challenging time but talking with and getting support from people who have walked or are walking the ‘exact same' journey can help 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)……… but you don’t say what type of cancer your mum has…….. but if you can tell me this I can direct you to the best groups on the community…….. or you can have a look through this link Cancer Specific Groups you will find all our dedicated cancer support groups listed.
These groups are safe places to talk to others who may have a similar diagnosis, treatment experience, to ask questions and get support from family members who are navigating the same journey.
Have a look through the LIST(s) above and once you find the support group for your mum’s cancer type click on the link and when the group page opens you will see a [Black - Click to Join - Banner] at the bottom of the page, click in this box 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.
As for the practical and emotional challenges of supporting your mum and indeed yourself you may benefit from joining and posting in our general cancer……
Carers only (if you are her caregiver)
Supporting someone with incurable cancer (If this is applicable)
……support groups where you will connect with others navigating the same support challenges.
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.
As always 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 and 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 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.
Let’s look for the scan to be encouraging….
Our dedicated Lung Cancer support group may be helpful along with the two groups I see you have now joined.
