Mum diagnosed

Hello, sorry about your Mum. It's difficult to help with chemo symptoms until after she has it. She may only experience fatigue so rest would be all that is required. The chemo unit will give her a booklet and a telephone no. for any help she needs. Just to reassure you they do have medication for all side effects. If anything is worrying after she has it I feel someone on here will have had the same and will help you.

Thank you the reply .... I have been having a look around the site and feel I’m going to find support when I need it which has put me at ease a little already. I feel with everyone’s help here I can help her as much as possible ! 

Hi Baby bear,

I’m on chemo #5 of 6 and felt very scared at the beginning, fear of the unknown and no one to ask...the ladies on here soon sorted that out and they will for you too. On a practical note, her oncologist will advise on what not to eat to reduce tummy infections, it’s basically a pregnancy diet... prepare some meals for her as she will probably feel rough for a week after chemo and it has a cumulative effect ... but she must eat well to keep her body in good condition... fruit and fibre to help with the usual constipation and drink water which may be hard as you mention her kidneys.

The drs will have told her all the side effects of chemo, and you just deal with them as they come along. I have a number to call for advise 24/7 so don’t suffer in silence... there are regular oncology appts to keep an eye on your well being ....go along with her to lend an ear and give your mum a support that she will need.

The biggest help is to be on hand to offer support, practical or emotional....once the shock has passed and you have the plan you can get on with the normal day to day things that will make it easier....shopping/ cleaning ,washing.etc

Fragrance free moisturiser for face and skin, silk pillowcase  were gifts that I really enjoyed and also regular calls from a few special people who just listen, and talk about normal stuff .

take care and if you read around the site you can pick up so much info and most importantly  positivity.

xSue

Thank you so much for the reply .... I feel like I’m drowning a bit as every hour the prognosis changes.

 I’m feel like im planning for one thing and and then it’s changed. The chemo day is getting further and further away and every hour she gets worse. Considering this started less than a month ago I’m in total shock how this is quick this is going. That’s the worst thing right now .... I’m helpless!  I’m not even allowed in the hospital to see her ...

Hi there. 

I myself have joined here looking for support. My mum was diagnosed with stage 4b ovarian cancer in september last year and it has been a real roller coaster for me Im not going to lie. Originally we were told it had spread to various other areas however after 6 rounds of chemo and targetted therapy which she is on now and a full hysterectomy and debulking operation on christmas eve her latest scan a few weeks ago showed no cancer. i'm not daft in that I know it could well reappear but atm she is doing ok overall bless her. It's petrifying to say the least and Im sure Ive aged 20 years since last september but all I can say to you is just be there for her. My mum was up and down alot, in and out of hospital due to her bloods being low for white cell count. Just be there no matter what. i know I sound like Im being all negative but being honest, its not easy and i never thought I would one day nurse my mum post chemo in bed when she couldn't eat and was so poorly but now she has her spark back and we are hoping it continues. Nobody can prepare you for it in any way, just be there for her and ask her what she wants and needs and you just being there will mean the world to her I assure you! I feel like I have been all doom and gloom which I apologise for but just being honest. I am very close to my mum and the whole situation has broke my heart but as I say be there for her and ensure you have good friends and family to offload to as it really does help massively, you are not alone! Sending you lots love xx

Thank you so much for the reply ! This gives me hope. And that is what we need right now. She started her chemo this morning as the drains have worked their magic and she is so much better ! This time last week I though I had already lost her .... I think I’m learning with this disease things can change so very quickly so don’t try to plan I was trying ... just take each day as it comes and work through it like that. Hard when I am a planner by nature ... 

Hi, so sorry about your Mum's news. My Mum was diagnosed with 3c in February and I know how heartbreaking this situation is, so sending you lots of love and positivity. Best advice I can offer is to take load off her as much as possible...cook meals/batch cook and freeze, clean house (or maybe consider hiring a cleaner if you don't live with her and can afford it), just anything that makes things easier for her. Also would recommend buying her some comfy/cosy loungewear including cosy socks, a weighted blanket (so good and she will be feeling the cold a lot more), a hot water bottle, a silk pillowcase and also maybe a silk headwrap for if she loses her hair. Apart from that just check in with her and let her know you're there, but also try and not make everything feel like it has to be about her cancer....making the days as normal as possible will help her a lot for when she is feeling ok. Fingers crossed that she gets her chemo ASAP. sending love x