I know how you feel. My mum had cancer a couple of years back. She seems to be recovering but still has side effects and is not clear yet, there is always the fear it might come back.

How are you coping? I didn't do well. I was starting a new job at the time too and ended uo in tears at work more than once from the stress.

I'm not so well either, I'm starting my senior year of high school and trying to plan for college, on top of all the stress with my mom. Then now I'm taking on more hours at work and trying to balance things at home. It is very hard.

Hallo again

Do your college and work know about your mum? I am a bit of a hypocrite since I did not tell my work till quite late on, but with the benefit of hindsight and experience I would advise doing so. That way if you keep bursting into tears or act differently they will know what's up. You don't have to broadcast it to everyone, just have a quiet word with a teacher/line manager who you trust. You may be able to get special leave from work if and when you need it, and/or a deferral of college work and exams.

Is it a good idea to take more hours at work? I realise it may not be your choice and may be to pay the bills.

It's a small town so pretty much everyone knows my mom and me, therefore they know about her cancer. They understand and they let me cry or talk when I need to... my mom worked there also, I've taken on more hours because I've taken all of her hours. As for school, I try not to talk about it, though sometimes I go a little mental and the teachers don't really ask. Summer right now, so I wont have to worry about that for at least another month.

Thank you for replying and such, your sweet, and I appreciate it.

Thats good that everyone knows you, it means you have a lot of people to support you, Do you have to take on all your mum's hours? Is there any way they could be shared among other colleagues?

It is up to you but it might be worth telling your school, they have support available and also may be able to give you extensions on stuff or even defer a year if your mum needs you.

Then again, some people need to be busy. It is better than brooding about what might happen.

Feel free to send me a PM if you need to vent or anything.

Thank you hun

Oh man! I'm crying right now, because this was my story when I was your age! I was the youngest of a big family, the only one left at home as a teenager when my Mom had Hodgkins. It made me grow up, really fast, and I missed out on a lot. I remember actually getting a 3-day suspension from HS (and me, a straight A student in honors classes!) because I had missed too many days to stay home with my mom!
Ultimately, it made me the person I am today - which is a good, kind and caring person, but I wouldn't wish it on anybody! Please make sure you have someone you trust in your life to talk to - even a school counselor, if you have one that you like.
Also - I KNOW you will want to put your life on hold, to put your mother first - but sweetie, each life is just as precious as the next, and your mom wants you to have a good one too - so please take care of yourself! Hugs! : )