Hi northern232001. Welcome to the forum, and I'm sorry to hear about your mother's diagnosis.

Although we're a British site, located in the UK, everyone is welcome; you're not the first visitor we've had from the US, and you won't be the last. Feel free to use us as you see fit.

If you've already had a look around here then you'll probably realise we aren't medically qualified; we're mainy cancer patients/survivors and their carers, plus associated friends and supporters. 

I can understand that it's all a little too raw right now, but if you can find out your mother's cancer type and its staging, then you can begin to get some handle on the situation. It may not be as bad as you fear. It's usually better to face up to the truth of the situation, and then start to make plans - although that is easier said than done.  

That's probably all I can say for now.  Please don't be a stranger. 

Hello northern ... welcome to our chat room ... 

Well I'm a mum who has breast cancer ... and it took a while for my son too ... but his wife sat us down and said ... o.k you've got cancer, we will stop panicking... well get tests and results and cope with everything as and when it comes up... no more "what ifs" no looking too far ahead .. well deal with it and well do it together ... and once my son was o.k and stopped texting every 5 minutes and he was calm, we really did do well ... which helped me take it all on ... we gave each other the strength we needed .. 

Someone was with me for all tests , results, and my son and daughter in law was with me all day on my mastectomy ... it really wasn't painfull just uncomfortable ... we have talked , hugged, and shared a few tears along the way... but because of my son, l even had a few laughs too ... especially with my 6 year old granddaughter who we never kept things from ... she was just worried I wouldn't be able to feed babies if l had one (with no boob) well I'm 63 ...and she asks me now if it will grow back one day ..

So if you can look at it positive and walk this journey with your mum ... she will feel better for having your support ... she sounds like me, it happens ... many have walked this path before us, and many will follow .. treatment has come a long way .. it's a rollercoaster of a journey with ups and downs .. so hold on tight .. and here I am chatting to you 7 months down the road ... and no matter how long or short a journey l have, I will find something to smile at every day ... so sending you a big hug and positive vibes ... Chrissie x

Thank you so much for your kind words. It is refreshing to hear from a mother who is living this journey. I'm glad to hear that you have such a strong and supportive family around you. I'm trying to be strong for my mom and I think I will get stronger as time goes on. It is all so fresh and new right now. I'm mostly angry, but I'm hoping I will be able to carry on and I will continue to be there for my mom and my family in general. I wish you well.

Hi telemando,

Thank you for your reply and for welcoming here. I know the type and stage of cancer that my mother has. I was with her when the oncologist broke the news. I'm the type of person that takes a while to "speak" the name of something that is traumatic to me. I've always been that way. Even as my family members are starting to call and text me, they won't use the word cancer. It hurts and it brings truth to it and I think we are all in some stage of denial. Thank you for your honesty and your support. Take care of yourself.

Please ... cancer is just a word, not a sentence.

The more you say it, the less power it will have over you. And the more you all talk openly and honestly and fearlessly, the better you will all feel about this challenge, and easier it will be to cope. 

X 

Sorry to hear this i remember this time well take it day by day as you feel its so mutch to take on board overwelming i no