Hi there Maggie..

From one mum to another, I know how hard it is watching our children be diagnosed .. my lad got type one diabetes at 14 .. I've watched him inject, do blood tests, and his life change .. and above nearly lost him to it a couple of times, who is now about the same age as your lad...

Firstly I'd say, you don't have to be strong or brave all the time .. admitting your scared is part of walking a journey with your son .. sometimes I still have tears when something goes wrong with him .. they are always our babies ... 

I've sorry can't help with your questions as I'm a breast lass ... (Well was till someone at the hospital nicked it ) but in me answering you, you will go back to the beginning. . And hopefully someone with those answers will pop by ...

So I'm sending you a big hug from one mum to another ... my thoughts are with you both ... always here if you want a chat .. Chrissie

Hi Christie, thank you so much for your reply.

 It's hard seeing your children go through hell and I wish I could take away the pain.  I hope your son is ok now.  

My son has told me how it has changed him and his perspective to life.  Let's hope they can lead a normal life now.

Good luck to you both x  Maggie 

Hi Maggie. .

My son is now 37 and he's done amazing and is a dad too now ..the pic I put on here is his little girl Emily.  but I must say his diabetes sits on my shoulder, as they can be taken by hypos so quickly ... but I've got him the latest monitor for his blood sugar ... and touch wood, he's keeping his levels in the normal region ... but anything like a cold etc and it can through it all in the air ... but I've learned to live not panicking every time the phone rings now ..

But like you, it's always there in the back of my head ... I even asked if he could have my pancreas ... but that's not viable ... he'd be on anti regection drugs and it may not have taken .. 

As I have cancer, I think I know what your son means .. it really does change us ... I look at everything differently now .. life gets perspective... things that are and arnt important ... now I take every day as a bonus ... I'll not take even one day for granted ... and cancer does sit on our shoulders too .. 

I know he will take a while for healing ... we all do.. and he's probly got no energy, as it can drain the system ... some of us say, maybe we just have to get used to life and know it will never be quite the same .. it's good to listen to his body and when it wants rest, give in and rest as that's when the body can heal .. don't over worry on keeping him positive, just go with your gut feelings .. being normal helps, while still knowing he will have mood swings .. from high to low, quickly ... that's normal .. even feeling angry occasionally... try to live in the day .. and go with the Flo... that's what I do .. 

Try giving his oncology team a ring and ask those questions about what happens now .. they should have a plan ... write down answers and if there's something you don't understand, ask them to explain .. 

Always here if you want a chat ... from one mum to another .. Chrissie

Hi Christie, are you still undergoing treatment for your cancer or has it gone for good? I hope it is all over for you now and you can lead a normal life as well as your son.  But then what is normal??? Everyone is different lol.   We all have to cope with changes however hard it is.

My son is so tired every day after being so fit and healthy and going to the gym everyday. In spite of my advice to take it easy and listen to his body, he still goes to the gym most days even if it's just for 10 minutes.  I won't moan at him as for him, it's trying to retain a part of his routine before this cancer appeared. I think you have to give support mentally as well as physically and I do understand how he feels. 

My son lives in Barcelona and his oncologist and team are all Spanish speaking and I live in Cyprus so I can't ask them questions.  IVe been over to be with him and lend him my support and back home now but on permanent standby in case he needs me.  That's why I wanted to get other people's experience of what to expect during and after radiotherapy.  I've tried to inject some humour and call his cancer Senor C.  It makes my son laugh and makes it easier to talk about it.

THank you for all your support.  Maggie x