Just found out my mom has cancer

[I Run Long]

I just found out on Friday that my mom has lung cancer and she has never smoked a day in her life! I am so devastated. She of course feels like she's been hit by a truck. She had a persistent cough, went to a lung specialist to find out what was happening. They admitted her to hospital for tests and they just told her yesterday. They also gave her a bone scan and think they see something in her left hip. It's in her left lung too. She's 77 and they are saying she'll be undergoing radiation therapy. I'll be meeting her at the cancer clinic here in a couple of weeks and help her through it but I feel so helpless since all I do when I talk to her is cry. She can't eat because she is just so stressed. She's not been around second-hand smoke, hasn't ever worked in an environment where she may have been exposed to something that is potentially a cause of cancer. I know the prognosis for lung cancer is poor - I just don't know what to do. Thanks for listening

 

[quasar4legs]

I am sorry to hear about your mum, it must be such a shock for your whole family.
I think you are already doing all you can by listening and being with your mum when she attends the clinic.
It might be worth contacting the cancer association as they will be able to provide information and support that might be helpful to you and your mum.

Please come here as often as you need to 'chat' or even if you feel like a hug.

I am so sad that your mum is facing this difficult illness.

Quasar

 

[melmar136]

So very sorry about your mum. My mum had lung cancer so I do know some of what you must be feeling.
One thing I can suggest is to bring a small recorder to her dr. visits. I know that we were probably in way too much shock to even listen to what the dr. said. Or bring someone who is not so close, who can take notes on everything.
PM me anytime you want to talk

 

[mommasita]

I wish your Mum and yourself the absolutely best in this journey

I think the suggestion of a recorder is an excellent one. It can ease your mind, and some worries. You will have enough to do without worrying if you remember what the Dr's said.

 

[ceroarty]

My mom just last week was also diagnosed with lung cancer. I feel like so helpless being so far away from her. I just wish there was more I could do. I am lucky enough that I will be able to go down there to visit in a couple of weeks. But I can honestly say I know exactly how you are feeling. If you ever need to talk I am here.

 

[quasar4legs]

My mom just last week was also diagnosed with lung cancer. I feel like so helpless being so far away from her. I just wish there was more I could do. I am lucky enough that I will be able to go down there to visit in a couple of weeks. But I can honestly say I know exactly how you are feeling. If you ever need to talk I am here.

I am sorry that your mum is also facing this illness.
Hugs to you and your family

Quasar

 

[I Run Long]

Thank you everyone for your support. I guess it is just the feeling of helplessness that seems to overwhelm me. I haven't even told my kids yet as I just don't know how to break it to them. They just adore their grandma. I was thinking of telling them after I go with my mom to the cancer clinic. I'm just afraid I won't be able to answer any questions they may have until after the visit since I nor my mom really know what is going to happen from here.

Ceroarty - I'm so sorry you are going through this as well.

 

[mommasita]

My mom just last week was also diagnosed with lung cancer. I feel like so helpless being so far away from her. I just wish there was more I could do. I am lucky enough that I will be able to go down there to visit in a couple of weeks. But I can honestly say I know exactly how you are feeling. If you ever need to talk I am here.

I am sorry you are going through this as well. Hugs and prayers.

 

[I Run Long]

Well, I thought I would post back about how things are going. We went to the cancer clinic here and they confirmed there really isn't anything they can do. It has spread to her adrenal glands and possibly her right hip. She is coming back down for radiation on Tuesday but it is just palliative. She asked the doctor how long she had. Of course everyone is different so he couldn't really say. He did say though that he would be surprised to see her here in a year. This is so devastating. Everything I do now I look at and say to myself, "mom would really enjoy this but I won't be able to do this again with her." I try to stay positive but it just overwhelms me. I just wish I could wake up from this nightmare. I just love my mom so much. I'm sorry for my rant, but I just needed to see it in type - it's a bit like a hug for myself.

 

[DisneyFairytale]

So sorry to hear the news. Things just don't make sense sometimes. My dad passed away of cancer as well and it was a very random diagnosis as well, healthy man, never made sense.
All my love and prayers with your family.

 

[mommasita]

Well, I thought I would post back about how things are going. We went to the cancer clinic here and they confirmed there really isn't anything they can do. It has spread to her adrenal glands and possibly her right hip. She is coming back down for radiation on Tuesday but it is just palliative. She asked the doctor how long she had. Of course everyone is different so he couldn't really say. He did say though that he would be surprised to see her here in a year. This is so devastating. Everything I do now I look at and say to myself, "mom would really enjoy this but I won't be able to do this again with her." I try to stay positive but it just overwhelms me. I just wish I could wake up from this nightmare. I just love my mom so much. I'm sorry for my rant, but I just needed to see it in type - it's a bit like a hug for myself.

Never be sorry for anything you share here, please. We are a great emotional support group. Sometimes it just helps knowing there are people out there just caring for you in any way they can.

I am very sorry to read the prognosis. I wish you love, courage, and strength. Prayers going out.

 

[zippy2]

I am so sorry your family is having to go through this.

Liz

 

[DisneyFan32WI]

I am sorry you have to go through something which doesn't seem to make sense. I would not believe that I would ever succumb to something that I had no involvement in (i.e. never smoking=lung cancer).
Life deals you a strange deck of cards. I will keep your family in my thoughts and prayers.

Also, I find writing about things I am going through to be a lot easier than repeating myself to my husband or close friends sometimes. When my dad died 3 months ago, I kept going in circles. The sudden death didn't make any sense and I just wanted someone to listen to me. I know I must've said the same thing a million times to the same people.

We are always here to listen and offer advice. Good luck as you walk down the path untraveled.

 

[snoopybabe]

I am so sorry you are going through this. Saying prayers and sending

 

[brat]

Remember to take some time to enjoy your Mom now.

I lost my Dad a few years ago, he was too sick by the time they found it.

His second wife talked him out of seeing a Dr sooner whenever my Brothers and I talked him into seeing one.

Dad never liked to see a Dr so it was easier to talk him out of going than into it.

You got a hug from me anytime you need one

 

[Granfan]

So sorry about your Mom. Hugs to you.

 

[FBDM66]

I have been where you are now and I know what you're feeling. I just lost my mom 3 months ago to uterine cancer and spent the past hour in my daily cry. The one thing that I pass to you is to hold on to HOPE. Even though my story ended the way it did, I don't regret for a minute that I held onto hope.

You and your mom will be in my thoughts and prayers. Know that although each of our stories are unique, your emotions are shared by others out there who are living them along with you.

Peace

 

[I Run Long]

Thanks for everyone's wishes/hugs and prayers. My mom completed for first radiation treatment and is pretty tired. Still no appetite at all. The dietician wants her to eat - doesn't matter what, just so long as it is high in calories. I said now is the time to eat that high fat ice cream. Anyway, prior to going in for her treatment, the oncologist said he lungs look better than the last time. She asked why and he said God, but we'll take the credit. So please keep those prayers coming - someone up there is listening.

 

[quasar4legs]

Thanks for everyone's wishes/hugs and prayers. My mom completed for first radiation treatment and is pretty tired. Still no appetite at all. The dietician wants her to eat - doesn't matter what, just so long as it is high in calories. I said now is the time to eat that high fat ice cream. Anyway, prior to going in for her treatment, the oncologist said he lungs look better than the last time. She asked why and he said God, but we'll take the credit. So please keep those prayers coming - someone up there is listening.

Thanks for the update on your mum and I am glad that she is through her first treatment. I am so pleased for your family that the lungs are looking better, it makes all of that difficult treatment worthwhile.

Quasar

 

[ceroarty]

I am sorry to hear your mom isn't doing well. My mom should be starting her radiation next week , along with her chemo. We find out tomorrow how things have been going when they do a scan. I want to share a story with you.
I work at Walmart and usually don't work customer service. Anyways, I was working my last day (before heading to FL to see my mm who was diagnosed with lung cancer) and I was told to work the customer service for the evening. Well we got a line of people as usual. The next person was ready to be helped and was to go to the person I was working with. When all of a sudden his computer crashed. That meant I was to help this individusl. As you can see, I wasn't supposed to work this area and definetly not this person. But here is this man standing in front of me to cash a check. We get to talking and well........7 years ago her was told to go home and die. Stage 4 lung cancer. He was told to go home and get his affairs in order and enjoy the time. He did this for about 2 weeks and then realized he wasn't ready to die. So he started looking for answers. He came across a treatment involving apple seeds. If you go to you tube and google the apple seed cancer cure. He ate 5 and no more seeds a day. Not swallow, I mean chew, these seeds and with in 6 months her was able to start chemo. The cancer wrapped around his lung and up his spine and spread to his brain. This is now all gone. He is still here and cancer free now. I am telling you this because it seems like it was meant for me to hear this story. My mom and I are now looking into this possible method. Anyways, if you ever need to chat I am here.