Hi just found out that my mother in law has Stage 4 lung cancer with mets in liver and adrenal glands. She is 86 years old and it is palliative care only. Bit of a shock how we found out as she just had a tumble and was taken to hospital as a precaution. Tests revealed she was severely anaemic and it snowballed from there. She is a wonderfully strong woman and quite well at the moment. We don't know long she has left but we aim to make life as comfortable and good as can be. Just don't want her to suffer. My mum died of breast cancer in 1985 and suffered terribly. I nursed her. I know care has improved since then. I am also 10 years clear from breast cancer and my husband 9 years after thyroid cancer. Any advice would be welcomed.
Hi shirleymac
I'm sorry to read that your mother-in-law has unexpectedly been diagnosed with lung cancer and I can understand what a shock this must have been, especially after both you and your husband have also had to deal with cancer and you mum passed away from it.
I’m Anne, one of the Community Champions here on the Online Community and, although I'm not a member of this group, I noticed that your post hadn't had any replies yet. Responding to you will 'bump' your post back to the top of the discussion list again.
While you're waiting for replies, it would be great if you could put something about your mother-in-law's diagnosis and proposed treatment into your profile as it really helps others when replying to you and also when looking for someone on a similar pathway. It also means that you don't have to keep repeating yourself. To do this click on your username and then select 'Profile'. You can amend it at any time and if you're not sure what to write you can take a look at mine by clicking on my username.
"Never regret a day in your life, good days give you happiness, bad days give you experience"
Hi shirleymac I am sorry to hear about your mother in law. That must of come as a shock for you all. It is quite common for people to find out about a diagnoses due to other reasons for tests and scans. People can live with lung cancer for many years without necessarily having any symptoms. The thing to remember for your mother in law, is as you say, she is fit and strong, and there is no reason why she cannot continue to feel well for some time yet.
I have very recently lost my step mother to ovarian cancer. Although she had only been in that role for 9 years she meant a great deal to me. When she was diagnosed we tried not to look too far ahead, just took each day at a time. Some days were good, and we made the most of those days, going out for small car rides made her feel happy just to get out of the house. Other days were not so good, and she had many hospital stays in between. The one thing that she did, was get her affairs in order, arranging her own funeral sounds daunting, but it made her feel better knowing her wishes were carried out.
I wish you all the very best, please do come and chat in the group, I think it helps to get your thoughts down in writing.
