Emotional support

[elpidoforos]

Hi everyone,

My mother was diagnosed with lung cancer about a year and a half ago and after going through chemo, she has been doing for the last 10 months or so an experimental protocol with AMG Kras inhibitor pills. Things were doing well but in the last results it seems that some of the tumours have grown. We found out yesterday and I feel very upset. My mother was looking forward to the summer and I do not know what we are going to do next. I was living abroad and moved back home about 8 months ago to help my mother feel better and because of Covid and not having been here for sometime I do not know any people. I feel so helpless that I cannot do much to help my mother and I try my had to be strong but when I see my mother now I feel tears in my eyes. It is my mother's birthday on Thursday and I feel so upset that the bad news coincided. I am so worried about the future and how I can help my mother to get well and hopefully recover. I do not want to lose hope but I am so sad. I wish to everyone good health and happiness x

[Cockailschemocancer]

Hi there

Has your mum being given any support from a hospice? If not it might be an idea and they will be there for you too. I’m

sure someone will reply to your post from

Roy Castle soon too as they will have loads of suggestions. Hang on in there x

[JanetteR57]

Always difficult when we receive such news whether as the patient or relative and it's totally understandable that you're both upset - but don't give up.... are there other treatments she could try? is there any clinical trial that may be open to her? what are her medical team advising? Make good memories for you both - celebrate her birthday in the best way you can - in truth, none of us know how long we may live for or when might be our last birthday - but we never think in that way until facing such situations... and the pandemic has made it so difficult to socialise or meet new people. Many people live with a terminal but treatable diagnosis with lung cancer for a long time especially if they have 'targetable' mutations for which treatments exist.... Roy Castle lung cancer foundation not only runs nurse led helplines for those affected by cancer (not only patients) but also online sessions tackling different aspects of coping with lung cancer which may also help you both and be a way of meeting others in similar situations. For your part, it may help you to meet people away from your home/medical situation to have other things to think about and distract you whilst still being able to care for her.... hope you can have a memorable birthday together - maybe treat her to a nice meal now restaurants are open or a pampering treat for you both or just a walk in a nice area - whatever she might enjoy that could distract you both... good luck... roycastle.org/help-and-supp...

[RoyCastleHelpline Partner Ask the Nurse Roy Castle]

You have been given good advice by JanetteR57. Please don't hesitate to give us a ring at the nurse led helpline. Tel: [phone] (Option2). We are available from 9.00am-5.00pm Monday to Thursday and 9.00am-4.00pm on Fridays. Alternatively, you can email [e-mail] and we will be happy to arrange for one of the helpline nurses to call you and discuss any concerns you have whilst caring for your mum. If you leave your phone number and state when the best time to call you is we can give you a ring back. In addition to the online support sessions that Janette R57 mentioned, we also have a one-to -one 'Keep in Touch service'. This service is designed to reduce the social isolation that some patients with lung cancer and their carers experience. You can be called regularly by a member of our support team and chat to you about any difficulties you may have. We can arrange to give you a call at a suitable, agreed time each week or fortnight or month. Priority will be given to those who are socially isolated and would like some extra contact.

Kind regards,

All the support team at Roy Castle Foundation.