Cancer

baz1992

ive just found out today that my mum has cancer today but she dosent know that i have found out, i havent told anyone and My family dont know i know. I think she wants me to have a nice christmas. Im not sure how serious it is but i read a text to my aunt asking her if anything happens will she watch out for me. ive had friends at college with parents having cancer but this is bowel cancer( i think) one minute im crying the next im watching tv feeling fine, i dont know weither to stay quiet and hope she has a normal christmas with me??

Oryx

I don't think you can pretend you don't know all through Christmas, so you will need to tell her you looked at her phone and saw the message. Bear in mind that as well as protecting you, she may well have wanted her Christmas to be one where she didn't get treated like 'sick cancer victim'.

Get it out in the open now though, and see if you can talk to her about how she is feeling, what you can do to help her, her prognosis and treatment. Because you now know, you can support her in whatever way she needs. And dont snoop at her phone anymore. The woman needs her privacy!

Cancers do get treated and cured, so stay positive, for your sake and hers.

Alf Veedersane

A cancer diagnosis automatically brings you face to face with your own mortality and one of the first things a parent will do is make sure their child(ren) are going to be in safe hands should the worst case scenario come to pass.

But that happens regardless of how serious it is just because of cancer is such a scary diagnosis.

As Oryx said, let your mother know you know - if will ruin Christmas for both of you if you both try and hide it. But resolve to make it an enjoyable Christmas. It's the best thing you can do for both of you.