Caring for someone with cancer
posted by Ciara-11
22 August 2021

Coping

Last reply: 24 August 2021 13:20

Hey guys,

Fairly new here so not exactly sure what to say. My mam was diagnosed with terminal cancer out of the blue recently. To say we are devastated and shocked as a family is an understatement. We never thought this would hit our family but I guess no one ever does. Feeling very lost at the moment as my mam is the closest person to me and we are the closest family ever. Feel like I'm already grieving for her when she is still here and I know the worst is yet to come and it's going to change all our lives forever. Any advice on coping? My friends are amazing but they obviously don't get it because they are never dealt with this. Thanks

2 comments

Comments

commented by Jenni53
23 August 2021

23 August 2021 12:18

Hi Ciara-11

Sorry to hear about your mother. In order to try and cope with her diagnosis try and keep yourself busy doing the things that you love. You could also ring your local daffodil centre to get support from them. You will find information on daffodil centres on this website.

Best wishes
Jenni53

commented by Cancer Nurse
24 August 2021

24 August 2021 13:20

Hi Ciara,

Thank you for contacting the Irish Cancer Society. I am so sorry to hear about your mothers terminal diagnosis. It understandably must be a very challenging and distressing time for you and your family.

The Irish Cancer Society have a number of services which may benefit you, I have attached a link here.  You will also find information on our website linked here about how it feels to be lost for words when someone you love has cancer as well as some other booklets you may find helpful. Our booklets are available to download or can be posted to you free of charge. If you are interested in any of these please contact one of our cancer nurses, in confidence, on the Support Line.

The Irish Cancer Society offers a free counselling service to people who have been impacted by cancer. The emotional side of cancer can have a huge impact on people, a trained counsellor can help you make sense of your feelings. I have attached a link to our webpage on counselling here. Yourself or any member of your family might find it helpful to speak with a counsellor. The person seeking counselling will need to contact us directly on the Support Line to arrange this.

There are many cancer support centres around the country. Many of the support centres provide complimentary treatments and have other supports which people find useful. I have attached a list here of our affiliated support centres. You could visit one of our cancer nurses for support who work in the Daffodil centres around the country linked here. I hope you find some of this information helpful.

Ciara, you might find it beneficial to speak with one of our nurses on the Support Line, with a little more detail we could help you a little more. Our Support Line Freephone number is 1800 200 700, Monday to Friday, 9am – 5pm.

Kind regards,

Cancer Nurse

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