My fiance just found out yesterday that his grandmother has cancer. She was diagnosed with breast and lung cancer. He doesn't have much in the way of details, but she goes back to the doctor Thursday, so hopefully we'll find out more then. He's anticipating that the family will have to talk her into treatment as he thinks she'd probably avoid it on her own.
As an oncology RN, my knowledge is a burden in this case. Given she's got cancer in 2 sites, I know at least one area is probably stage IV (metastasis), I've also done presentations at the local nursing school on lung cancer, and know the prognosis for that particular type is not good. Personally, if Grandma decides she doesn't want to fight it, I'd support that decision. Treatment is really rough, quality of life decreases drastically, and it's not likely to make a huge difference in her case.
I'm doing my best to just keep my mouth shut and be supportive for him. I've been through many deaths both of close family members and patients, but he hasn't as far as I know. My heart aches for him and for Grandma, knowing that there are tough times ahead. We have been so blessed at this point in our relationship, we haven't had to go through any real hardship together. Now that it's on the horizon, I want to do my best to be the person he can rely on. Just needed a chance to vent.
