Mum recently diagnosed and as her next of kin im struggling

FormerMember
FormerMember
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My Mum has always been strong and independent until she developed sharp pain in her liver that was initially thought was gall stones. Sadly on 5th November we were told its secondary liver cancer which has since been found to be a NET that has spread from the bronchial tubes. I am her main carer and am really struggling with it all. I have fought to get earlier scans and a chance at chemo but she has lost do much weight and muscle tone that it seems very unlikely. Im finding the weight of it all too much at times particularly as i am still grieving from the loss of my partner on xmas eve 2020. Ive reluctantly started on anti depressants but other than that not sure how I can get strength or recharge. Any suggestions on how to get though the difficult road ahead?

  • FormerMember
    FormerMember

    I feel for you. My dad was diagnosed with Oesophagul cancer stage 4. He has months left to live. I guess I am fortunate. I am his main carer but I am also looking after my mother too. I have a sister with a learning difficulty although it's mild to moderate. Also, a girlfriend I have not seen since March 2020. She has Schizo Affective Disorder and has been sectioned so many times now. Yes I am struggling but have two amazing younger sisters who are also helping when they can. You probably have all the care services you can helping your mum. I don't know about the road ahead other than its hard. What I can say, it's it's so important to look after yourself and I know how hard it is to find time for that. I have accessed a place called Maggies in Newcastle based at the Freeman but maybe there is somewhere like that near where you live. They have a drop in to get a brief refuse, cuppa, people to talk to. Have you thought of contacting your local community mental health team. They are not just for people who are seriously mentally ill. They generally supply a range of short term therapies. Carers groups can be excellent too, a chance to meet and talk to other unpaid carers in similar situations to yourself. Please, please, please, seek out other good people, groups, agencies who can provide you extra support for you and take care of yourself. Confide in friends. Count me as one if it helps and most importantly make small pockets of time for yourself. There is nothing selfish in that because you would be doing it to give you the strength to look after your mum. God bless you.