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BrackenE
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Hello, 

My 71 year old Mum has been diagnosed with stage 4 glioblastoma last week.  This is after a few months of feeling unwell -  the doctor prescribed  her medicines for depression and Blocked ear/ Vertigo. She ended up in A&E 3 weeks ago with a suspected stroke. The MRI scan showed a 5.5 x 5.5 x 3.5 tumour. The operation removed 90%. Now radiation and chemo pills are proposed.

My lovely, confident, resilient, funny, sun holiday mate Mum is currently distant and 'checked out', occasionally anxious and panicky. 

I'm shocked, devastated and broken hearted. 

Its so hard because I live in London. I flew back to Dublin on 25th November and came back to London with a very  heavy heart yesterday.

My job is still quite new and I'm the main bread winner. I wish to drop everythng and be there for her. It's so hard. 

Thete are so many variables and unknowns... 

 

  • Hello Bracken, 

    Welcome to the forum although I'm very sorry to hear about the news that brings you here. 

    Understandable it's a time of great uncertainty for you all and the way both you and Mum are feeling isn't unexpected. 

    If you find at anytime that you'd like to chat to one of our team of nurses then they can be contacted on 0808 800 4040 and you can find information about when they are available over the Christmas period here. 

    You're welcome to come and post here in the forum anytime Bracken. Sometimes just having a safe space to offload some of our questions and worries can be a great relief and we will certainly do our best to help with any information that we can. Although many of the members here will have had different diagnoses, I know that they will all be able to identify with the thoughts and feelings that you've described in your post. 

    Sending our best wishes to Mum and to you, 
    Jenn
    Cancer Chat moderator

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    Hi BrackenE So sorry to read your post. I too am new to the forum. My 65 yr old mum has just been diagnosed with multiple tumours, one in her brain. Just like your mum, she was mis diagnosed with vertigo for about 8 weeks, but was finally scanned on Wednesday. I too live away am dreading returning home to my own family having spent a few days with mum and dad. Is your mum having any steroid treatment? Surgery is to an option for my mum, but the steroids are helping with the swelling around the brain tumour and relieving the symptoms a little. I hope you manage to find some peace over Christmas. Take each day as it comes.....

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