Hi everyone,
I have joined this group to gain some knowledge so that I can help support my mum.
in 2017 my mum was diagnosed with bowel cancer that had spread to her liver. After chemo and two major operations she was told she was cancer free.
then last year she went for her first 6 month scan and was told that the cancer had metastasised to her peritoneum and that it was stage 4. Treatable but not curable and surgery was out of the question.
She has been having fortnightly chemotherapy with target therapy (I don’t know the correct name for this) and last week she had a scan and was told the cancer in her peritoneum had GONE! But there were bits around her spleen now.
she has now been referred to The Christie in Manchester for potential surgery to remover the tumour on her spleen.
so now we wait!
it’s been such a rollercoaster and I know that nothing is ever certain but I don’t know how to feel about it all. We were so happy and excited when she was given the all clear before and then it came back, so I daren’t be excited about it again.
I am usually the one who takes my mum for her appointments and treatment so I like to make sure I try read up on things so I ask the right questions, my mum isn’t the best and remembering and understanding what the doctors are saying to her, I think she gets overwhelmed.
any way thank you for reading. Any advice would be really welcome.
Hi Meg_B and a warm welcome to the online community
I'm very sorry to read that your mum has recently found out that after successful treatment for spread to her peritoneum, the bowel cancer has now been found to have spread around her spleen. I can only imagine what an anxious time this must be for you both.
I hope you don't mind me suggesting that you also post this in the bowel cancer group, which I can see you've joined, as you may connect there with others whose bowel cancer has spread to the spleen. If this is something that you'd like to do then clicking on the link I've created will take you straight there.
You might also like to consider joining the family and friends group which is a safe place to discuss your worries and get support from others who have a loved one living with cancer.
x
"Never regret a day in your life, good days give you happiness, bad days give you experience"
Hi Meg, I have Stage 4 cancer that was diagnosed as Primary Peritoneal I knew straight away that it would not be curable so I never expected too much. I can understand that the return of your Mum's cancer after an "all clear" must have been a huge shock for you both. I'm sure she must appreciate your support, because yes the amount of information that you need to understand to help you make important decisions is huge and can seem overwhelming. Your mum is very lucky to have you to support her but it must take a toll on you too I've found sites like this one really helpful. So I hope your post in the bowel cancer group will bring you some perspective and reassurance. I've also found my Cancer Nurse Specialist really helpful and patient talking over things with me So do carry on reaching out and asking. That rollercoaster is something I can relate to too. Hang on in there. 
