Mum recently diagnosed

Hi Toonaf238f2  I am sorry to hear about your mum.  I have same diagnosis as your mum with mets in pelvis, spine, ribs and skull.  I had breast cancer at 47 with op, chemo and radiotherapy.  I was diagnosed in September last year with secondary breast cancer (weirdly no cancer in my breasts this time so it spread through my blood from last time).  I have just turned 60.  My oncologist has never given me any dates and to be honest I don't want to know.  I am on Exemastane as didn't get on with letrozole, ribociclib and denosumab every four weeks.  To be honest I think that I am lucky as have not had too many side effects.  I would encourage your Mum to try and keep to her normal routine and be as active as she can.  This really helps me with the pain, as when I sit still for too long pain is worse.  I am still walking my dogs every day and going out for meals and going to pub etc.  I think it is very important to think you are not dying of cancer but you are living with cancer.  My oncologist said it is not terminal.  It is incurable but treatable and many woman live for many years with this.  My last scan found cancer is stable so same can be for your mum.  It is hard in the beginning but it does get easier.  There is forum called Living with incurable cancer - patients only on here and it is brilliant.  We are all in the same boat.  Your mum is lucky to have you and it will be hard on you so you also need to take care of yourself.  I wish you and your mum luck and hope she enjoys her time in Cornwall.  I am always happy to chat.  Big hugs to you both.

Lee x

Hi Lee, 

Thanks so much for your reply - much appreciated and thanks for sharing your journey to date. I'm very sorry you're part of this club too (it does suck?!) but I'm very happy to hear that you are 'living with cancer' with energy and encouragement which is so positive for us to know about. It really does change things from panic to 'we've got this' a little bit more. 

I will join the other forum and keep these words in my mind from now on. I'm hoping to get mum a little healthier in her day to day habits (more water, more fresh food, less alcohol/cigarettes, more movement...) and I've just order a grounding mat for her (everyone seems to be raving about them so I will feed back as I'm sure they could be of benefit to anyone with cancer). Have you done anything holistic/herbal/alternative alongside your treatments that you think have helped? 

Love, hugs & lightning bolts,

Tx

Hi T,  I haven't done any holistic therapy but keep meaning to.  It's good for your mum to join or go to a local charity like Maggies if you have one near you.  I don't but have a local cancer charity that offer reflexology, relaxation etc.  I don't seem to find the time since I stopped working .  What is a grounding mat, never heard of it?  I would never be able to get off the floor if it involves lying down .  I think I need a few of your lightning bolts.

Lee x