Lung spread to brain

Hello, I’ve posted before about my Mum. She has stage 4 Adenocarcinoma (I’m not sure if that is spelt right) of the lung. It has now spread to her liver, lymph nodes, spine, nasal passages and now to 2 places in her brain. We have found out that she is too late for treatment on her brain. They will not be able to do anything to shrink them. Does this mean it’s the end? 

Shes completely losing it. She’s got a few phrases she’s stuck on saying such as “it’s all about me” and “angel cake” she’s obsessed with cake lol. She’s had 7-10 seizures which she’s now on medication to control but it has been discovered that it is the cancer causing it as it’s spread to the 2nd place in her brain. She’s quite confused and has short term memory loss. She can’t remember What she has told people. She’s also obsessed with spending all her money. If you question her she gets extremely angry. None of this is like her at all. She can be quite scary. 

When she found out the cancer has spread to the second place in brain she just threw the bit of paper in her bag saying “if I don’t read it it’s not true”. I’m scared she isn’t going to take care of herself. We have someone staying with her at all times but you have to agree with her on everything or else she gets angry. 

  • A very sad situation. I'm not  a medic, but it is clear that your Mum is very seriously ill. Maybe try to find out, from your Mum's doctors, if the cancer is terminal, and how long she is expected to live? Only her medical team can provide this information. Then you can make some very tentative plans for the near future.  Best wishes. Harry

  • Hello, 

    Really sorry to be reading about your Mums diagnosis. If they say it is too late for treatment for the brain then I would assume that nothing more can be done now and to make her comfortable towards the end. I'm speaking from experience with my Dad. My Dad had cancer of the bowel that had spread to his lungs and liver. He lived with an incurable but treatable diagnosis for 2 years. This was up until April last year when the cancer had then spread to his brain. No treatment could be done for this therefore he was then classed as terminal and was given less than 6 months to live. The brain can rapidly deteoriate a patient, they say it's one of the worst places for cancer to be. My Dad survived 4 months after being told it had gone to his brain and died in August. Like your Mum the cancer effected my Dad's memory...he never forgot us but would forget obvious things like where the bathroom is, he would say the hospital ward was a car-park, he would shout out a lot and repeat words. Was more emotional than angry and sometimes had a vacant look in his eyes as if it wasn't really him there. Very sad. 

    Just remember that however your mum behaves it isn't really her. She may say things at times that do upset you but you just have to keep telling yourself it's the cancer and not her. Sometimes it is easier to agree to things otherwise it could make your Mum frustrated, aggitated and even more confused. This is what we had to do with my Dad. 

    If you do have any other questions feel free to ask. 

    Hugs to you