Mother Newly Diagnosed with Stage 4B

Hello, and welcome to the forum.

I am sorry to hear about your mum. It is devastating news at any time, and to know that it could have been caught earlier, is a hard. Saying that, it is time to put the anger aside, and concentrate on what lies ahead in the future.

Every case is different, every person is different, and we can't really say how chemo will affect her, as we all respond across the board, in different ways.

For the most part, chemo is not a walk in the park. There will be challenges ahead, but to what degree, she will not know until she is neck deep in it.

I was very upfront with my Oncologist - I had a note book, jam packed with questions, every time I went to see him. I wanted the facts as he saw it, no beating around the bush. I did not want to suffer through treatment only to find out I had limited time left.

It is a very personal and very hard decision. If chemo will or will not give a person extended life and for how long, is it worth it? At the end of the day, the patient has the choice.

I do remember, when I was suffering through chemo and radiation, wanting to 'do it for the children' - who, at the time were still in school. Knowing they wanted me to live, made me push through. But there comes a time, especially when you are in your advancing years, when suffering through because you know you don't want to see your children hurt, is not good. Do you know what I mean? Make sure mum knows that it is her choice, her life, and flow with whatever decision she has to make, to make her happy and comfortable.

Your love and support can be her strength.

I wish your mum the best. I wish you, and all who love her, the strength to face the challenges ahead.

We are here on the forum, to help.

Tru

Sugar and cancer - there is much debate among those who have Cancer, and probably the professionals as well.

Some go all out and drop sugar from their diet. Others, like myself, enjoy sugar in moderation (well, I can go a bit overboard).

I had a good friend with CRC, and she pretty much dropped everything that might even hint at aggravating the Cancer. She tried some things that could definitely be called extreme, like colonic cleansing/coffee enemas , eating activated charcoal and other things that we might consider odd. She also went to the Gershon treatment centre in Mexico - because the treatments are banned here in the US - came home and died two weeks later; and to be honest, her last months were pretty damn miserable, not because of the Cancer, but because she had no joy in her life. No treats, invasive treatments, nasty concoctions. It was her choice, but for me, I want to have joy before I get to the point where it is actually taken away from me. A very personal choice, indeed.

While time is of the essence for your mum, being staged at 4B, if she could get a second opinion, that might give you all more information.

It is going to be a very hard and tough decision, but you are right, if she moves forward with chemo, and it gets to be too hard, she can stop whenever she wants. The choice is hers. I doubt it would put her in a 'worse place', but I know she will talk it all through with her Oncologist. It is always good to have someone else at the appointment. Soo much information, hard to absorb. I took copious notes, hoping I didn't miss something.

The forum can run a little slow, nowadays, so hopefully others will come along to share their thoughts and experiences.

Tru