Hello all. My mum is 87 and was diagnosed with lung cancer in December. There is nothing they can do because of her age and general frailty. She also has a few other health issues. I did have a discussion on the phone with the respiratory consultant who explained that mum has a 5 cm mass in the centre of her left lung. It has doubled in size in 4 months (August to December). She has no other cancers in her body- yet - and it is not in the lymph nodes. The consultant said that there would be an upcoming outpatient appointment ( which has since been postponed) with a follow up MDT. Of course that has not been able to take place. Mum is worried and confused. She feels that she is deteriorating ( she has always been prone to coughs and chest infections and has chronic asthma) and I feel helpless. We haven't been given a 'stage' and have no idea of prognosis as I understand this may be difficult. Are we looking at years or months? Any suggestions as to what to do or how to prepare.
Thank you in advance.
Hi CatherineS1 and welcome to the group, but sorry to hear about your mum. Even though we are in a pandemic, I do not think it is acceptable to leave your mum when she was expecting an appointment. I would be contacting her GP or the hospital to chase this. You obviously need answers to your questions, and the medical team need to discuss this with you and your Mum.
Supporting a loved one with cancer can be very stressful, but talking to others in a simlar situation to yourself can be very beneficial. You may want to join the family-and-friends-forum which is a very supportive group for people caring for loved ones with cancer.
Take care
