Cancer claims another

One of my clients died today.

She had a 3 year old son and an 8 year old daughter. Both will now end up in care.

She was 31 years old, never smoked or drank alcohol, but 3 months ago was diagnosed with incurable lung cancer.

I've been a social worker for many years, but sometimes you just cannot detach yourself emotionally. This is one of those cases.

I have smoked and drank from the age of 16, and I am still alive.

How fair is that?

Re: Cancer claims another

What a dreadful situation Susan poor children.

Re: Cancer claims another

Yes i have lost two loved ones due to cancer awful and you seem to be hearing about more cases nowadays maybe its getting worse?

Re: Cancer claims another

On a plus note many more people survive these days, I know because I am one of them.
Unfortunately though, this lady was still young and her poor children will have to cope with losing her and getting used to a new life. How sad, and I am sure we can all understand how our Scottish Cat Lady must be feeling about this.

Re: Cancer claims another

You are most certainly correct. I know this too because I survived breast cancer within the last 12 months.

She knew from the word go that there was no chance of survival (being young and a non-smoker she didn't take notice of the symptoms for over 6 months) but that doesn't make it any easier.

Thankfully for those who catch cancer early there are good survival rates, and that's what we have to hold onto and BUILD ON.

Re: Cancer claims another

It's so sad .... especially when it's someone so young with children of that age

Re: Cancer claims another

So young and with children, so sad. I do wonder if we target some of the tests etc is correct these days we screen for some things but I keep hearing younger and younger people getting it and there seems no screening for them. One young mum at school died last year from ovarian cancer she went to the GP 14 times and was told she was too young to worry about such things. It was only when she collapsed and was taken to A&E they did any tests and by then it was inoperable. So at 19 she was not too young at all.

Re: Cancer claims another

I listened to a GP who knew a lot about this, on Tv this morning, and he was saying that early detection really helps and people should be told what to look for. I understand that one of specialist organizations is going to start this soon but a TV ad wont do enough. I believe that senior schools and colleges should also have people go and give talks on the subject. Early stages of cancer are not easily noticed, and by the time they are it may possibly be too late.If I was a school or college head I would make sure I had the funds to pay for an expert to come and explain because, it may not just save the teenagers life but also any other family member or friend. A days pay for a specialist's talk is nothing when you think of the lives it may save.

Re: Cancer claims another

Excellent idea Twink and as you say it's a drop in the ocean financially so could easily be done.

Re: Cancer claims another

That is very sad indeed Susan, so young and to leave two small children. God rest her soul.

Too many people are under the illusion that if you don’t smoke you won’t get lung cancer. There was a childless married couple who lived up the road from us in the 1990’s, neither smoked and both were in their forties, he developed lung cancer and died, three years after that she got lung cancer and died. Life is not fair by any means.