Lung Cancer Support Group

I hope family members can post here (it seems like it), but if not, my apologies.

My mother was diagnosed with small cell lung cancer in April. The cancer is in her right lung, two lymph nodes, and possibly a left ribcage rib (the soon-former oncologist admitted he assumed it was there even though it was dismissed in the PET scan report but that it didn't matter anyway).

I live with her and I'm on disability so I have all day free and I'm her primary caretaker. My main question is this: what can I best to do be the most supportive to my mom, besides everyday chores and errands she asks me to run and driving her to chemo, etc.? Right now other than being anemic from the chemo and depressed for obvious reasons and needing oxygen when she sleeps, she's okay.

I'm asking this partly because I have bad problems with anxiety and bipolar disorder and I'm autistic, meaning that right now I'm really emotional--just thinking of our cat missing my mother can make me cry, sometimes--or else I'm anxious because there's nothing I can do to make her feel less tired, depressed, and sick except sit and talk with her when she wants to. Being mildly autistic means that I'm an open book so it's hard to hide my emotion. I've been told by multiple people just to bottle it up because it's bad for my mom but I'm having a hard time doing that.

So: is being (too) emotional around my mom harming her (she says no) and what else can I do to do the best for her that I can?

Gosh, NGRDR, you have your hands full. I know because I'm in a similar situation. My mom is in Stage IV lung cancer and had 2 mild heart attacks 2 weeks ago. She is home on oxygen 24/7 and hospice is helping out too. Is there a prognosis for your Mom? Have they said anything about how long they think she will live? You might be able to get hospice to help you too. They also have volunteers that do all kinds of stuff for you.

I think you are doing alot for her. You are getting all the things done that she needs done. Does she spend most of her time in bed? Just being there for her is doing alot.

You must be a very high-functioning autistic person! You know, I'm a very emotional person too, and I have not cried around my mother very much. I'm surprised at myself. If you are overcome with emotion, or if your mother hurts your feelings, if you cry, you can't help it. There is no way to turn those feelings off. I've never found a way to do that. You are doing so much for her. How old are you? Be proud of yourself!! Your mom is so lucky to have you. I hope she knows that.

I hope you and your mom are doing ok.............Beth

There is great support! Our body needs superoxide dismutase and catalast, antioxidant enzymes that scavenge and nutralize free radicals. Most of all our body needs glutathione, because it corrals all kinds of free radicals before the can attack the delicate and critically important cell membrane. Known as lipid peroxidaton, this free radical destruction of the crucial fatty aids that from the cell membrane. Known as lipid peroxidation, this free radicals destruction of the crucial fatty acids that for the cell membrane quickly leads to destruction of the cell.

Based on the science, I know that Glutathione is the most important antioxidant your Mother needs for her cells to perform at optimal levels. [file]

beth1954,

I just wanted to thank you for your kind words when this other message popped up and reminded me. My mom passed away on October 7th last year. Over the course of four days she just rapidly got much worse, not being able to catch her breath and having neurological problems, and then she was in hospice for one day and I was with her when she passed. Her last words were to me, telling me she loved me.

I can only hope now that I did enough to help her when she needed it, but when I was talking to a friend about failing at my writing or art work he pointed out that my biggest accomplishment was taking care of my mom, and that in Hinduism those that devote themselves to caring for others are considered holy. That was some comfort to me and I hope may be some to you and yours.