young caregivers.

caseydawnx
caseydawnx Member Posts: 1
in Caregivers #1
I'm new to this whole thing, so bare with me lol

I am 19 years old. my mom was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer on November 18, 2011. A fairly new diagnosis. on the 21st of November she went into respiratory failure and was on a ventilator for 6 days. she came off of it like a fighter and after 6 weeks of in and out of the hospital, she is home. my mom just turned 52 years old. She had one round of chemo and it destroyed her body. so there is no more treatment they can do. she also went into kidney failure so she needs dialysis three times a week... mom is enrolled in the hospice program.. I hate watching her go through this.. she is my best friend. My dad died when I was 14 so I am her care giver and I wouldn't have it any other way. cancer is such a terrible thing...

Comments

  • soxgirl823
    soxgirl823 Member Posts: 8
    #2
    hang in there
    Oh sweetie my heart goes out to you. I understand my mom is my best friend too. Watching her go through this breaks my heart. i would take it away for her and go through it myself if i could. Take it one day at a time and dont be afraid to ask for help. I will say a prayer for both of you.
  • lms1616
    lms1616 Member Posts: 11
    #3
    I am not as young as you,
    I am not as young as you, but I definitely understand what you are going through. My dad died when I was 24 years old, I am 33 now. My mom has stage 4 lung cancer and is unable to withstand anymore treatment as well. The chemo ravaged her body after only 2 treatments, she just turned 70 in December. She has been in and out of the hospital more times than I can count since last July. It all seems like a whirlwind of unimagineable anger and sadness. I take care of her the best I can every day, sometimes I fear that I'm not doing enough. I have 3 kids of my own and I work fulltime. All I can tell you is that someway, somehow we will get through this. Your mom must be so proud of such a young woman and all of the strength you are showing. This is a rough disease for anyone to handle, I know it must be so scary at your age. Try to keep your head up and just remember that there are always people hear to listen. Take care and keep us posted. My thoughts and prayers for your mom...

    Lisa
  • jimwins
    jimwins Member Posts: 2,107
    #4
    My heart goes out to you.
    My heart goes out to you. This is such a difficult thing to go through
    for anyone and especially for you at your age.

    I'm proud of you and sending big warm hugs your way :).

    Hugs and positive thoughts,

    Jim
  • fighting4dad
    fighting4dad Member Posts: 6
    #5
    I can relate
    Hi Casey,

    I am 23 years old and my Dad was just diagnosed with extensive SCLC. He is only 54 years old. This is all very new to me too and hate seeing him go through this. I will keep you and your mom in my thoughts. If you ever want to talk about anything or have any questions feel free to ask and I will do my best to help.
  • JackieA
    JackieA Member Posts: 150
    #6
    I offer you
    My sincere prayers. Just hold on to your faith. Jackie
  • CodiB
    CodiB Member Posts: 2
    #7
    I know how you're feeling
    you're definitely not in this alone. I was a caregiver for my Grandma from November of 2011 until she passed away on February 4, 2012. She was in hospice care as well. I am also 19. What I found helpful was having a really good friend who I unloaded everything on. If I told her I needed a hug, she was there in an instant. I hope you have people you can lean on in person, otherwise feel free to unload on here, we all understand.
  • hakuna13
    hakuna13 Member Posts: 7
    #8
    Totally Understand
    I totally understand what you're going through. I'm 24 and my mom was diagnosed with end stage lung cancer at Easter. My dad passed away when I was 7. I was her primary caregiver and watched how everything destroyed her. She passed away in May. I was very thankful for the relatively short fight and that it took her quickly so that she wasnt in pain anymore.

    I find myself as a caregiver just a couple of months later, as my best friend and roommate has been diagnosed with breast cancer. Second surgery on Friday and beginning chemo after that.

    When mom was dying, I leaned on my best friend for everything and she was there no matter what. Now I have to be there for her, and I'm not sure who to depend on anymore. We agreed to fight this together and be there for each other, but sometimes I don't feel like a very good caregiver because I'm the one that sometimes needs to be taken care of.
  • sadamy
    sadamy Member Posts: 4
    #9
    lms1616 said:

    I am not as young as you,
    I am not as young as you, but I definitely understand what you are going through. My dad died when I was 24 years old, I am 33 now. My mom has stage 4 lung cancer and is unable to withstand anymore treatment as well. The chemo ravaged her body after only 2 treatments, she just turned 70 in December. She has been in and out of the hospital more times than I can count since last July. It all seems like a whirlwind of unimagineable anger and sadness. I take care of her the best I can every day, sometimes I fear that I'm not doing enough. I have 3 kids of my own and I work fulltime. All I can tell you is that someway, somehow we will get through this. Your mom must be so proud of such a young woman and all of the strength you are showing. This is a rough disease for anyone to handle, I know it must be so scary at your age. Try to keep your head up and just remember that there are always people hear to listen. Take care and keep us posted. My thoughts and prayers for your mom...

    Lisa

    with admiration
    Hi Lisa-my mom has stage 4 lung cancer as well and i am 36-mom just turned 60. I just wanted to say everything you wrote is true for you as well. I am proud that you are not just feeling sorry for yourself like i am right now and offering your support. I hope to follow your example-my thoughts and prayers for your mom...
    amy

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