Brain Cancer- Advice needed.

[Mayanbob]

Hello. Was ready to post something epic but realise i'm tired and don't have it in me.

Found out today that MiL has brain cancer. First diagnosis is that it could be 'weeks or months' will obviously find out more over the next few days.

However, where do I go for more information? Not just about her but how to support DH. He has no family close?

I tried google but there's too much out there and it's a minefield. I just want to talk to someone. There is norovirus at hospital so I am staying away (12 weeks 2 days pregnant) but DH can't quite deal with all the info.

Help please. Thank you

[chocoluvva]

Oh :(.

That must have been a horrible shock.

She should have a MacMillan nurse who will be happy to recommend useful sites and contacts for you.

Are you near a Maggie's Centre? They have a phoneline and drop-in centres.

Bacup is a good online site.

[Mayanbob]

Chocluvva... that bacup website is spot on. Thank you. I will check out Maggie's centre. Thank you

[chocoluvva]

What a horrible time for you when you're pregnant to have this happen in your family. You must all be in such shock. There will be so many things to consider. But you'll probably amaze yourselves by how quickly your MIL's treatment becomes a normal part of her day.

I took the same approach as you when my mum got a diagnosis of terminal cancer (not brain cancer) of finding about her specific cancer. Well meaning people tell you about their experiences of cancer, which often aren't actually relevant....

Some hospitals and primary care trusts have useful online info too about the procedures they do, time-scales for beginning treatment etc.

I also had (locally advanced) cancer (with lymph-node involvement) quite recently and found helpful advice on an american cancer forum, though that for me, was mostly for dealing with the effects of surgery. My hospital gave me a hand-out about the radiotherapy and chemotherapy that I had, which were useful. I don't know whether that's standard practice.

Marie Curie Foundation?

Sorry if a lot of this is irrelevant, but another thought. If your MIL gets chemo she might get chemotherapy-induced oral mucositis. Radiotherapy to her head will possibly hurt her mouth too. Many hospitals recommend Corsoydl for this as it's cheap. Less well known, but better treatments are Caphosol and Gel-Clair, which can be bought from online UK sites. The best one is on the NHS list of prescription medicines, but not very well known as it's new. I asked my GP to prescribe me it - which she happily did- it's called Mu-Guard.

[misshoohaa]

Hi Mayan Bob - where are you based, how old is she?
What horrible news, very sorry to hear about it.
The Olive Tree based out of Crawley Hospital do some amazing work if you based London or south.

Alll the best.

[Montybojangles]

www.braintumouruk.org.uk/information
They have helplines at this charity and online Support.
Wishing you, your DH and MIL best wishes.

[Montybojangles]

Sorry, just realised date of your post. I hope all is well

[Annemia79]

The brain tumour charity have a support and infoline. Foc. They are really friendly and have lots of good info. Also have days where you can listen to health professionals, researchers , patients and carers effected by brain tumours
Contact details can be found online.

[Annemia79]

Brain tumour uk and the brain tumour charity have merged and are now The Brain Tumour Charity