Going to College and dealing with moms breast cancer again

ZippyDee

Hi, im new to this website but i found it very informative. I was about to turn 18 and think about college and what my life was going to be like in the next few months when all of a sudden my mom (who is a single mother by the way) got stage 3 breast cancer. She had kept it a secret from me till we ended up at the hospital because she had a panick attack and I freaked! I know she thought she was protecting me but i felt like i should have been told. But anyhow, we worked it out. I went to college even though i worried about her all the time and she did fine and had hardly any side effects. There were moments when i got freaked out again, but everything became normal when it was time to go home for summer. Then, right after my sophomore year started, i found out that the cancer came back... again! Going to college and dealing with this at the same time is very challenging and this time it seems different. She isn't coping with the chemo as well this time, is very skinny, and i think that she may feel depressed. I don't blame her for feeling that way, and i try to do anything i can to help. I also feel like she may not be telling me everything again this time, but i could just be paranoid because of last time. When i go home I also don't feel like im at the same house-warming get-away every college student needs once in a while. Are there any other daughters that are going through this or have gone through this for the second time in a row or have just gone through this while at college? Its been less than a year and its been a real struggle for me to cope with it this time as well as my mother. Any Advice?

Racy

Hi ZippyDee, I am not in your situation but welcome to this site.



My first suggestion is that your mum could benefit from this site. Encourage her to join!



I understand you are young and going through a lot with your studies and your mum's cancer. She will want you to be happy, and successfuł with your studies. In return, if you can be supportive to her, just through listening, keeping in contact, taking her mind off cancer from time to time and giving practical, unobtrusive help, I'm sure she would appreciate it.



Your mum does not want to burden you but would welcome your love and support.



Best to you both.