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I must say, I was pleasantly surprised to get such kind, thoughtful responses. I can not tell you enough how much your words helped me to try and understand what my mother must be feeling but can't express verbally. I've decided to hold onto the information that I've found and let her slowly let this sink in, and the doctor promised me he'd share more with her as he felt she could handle it. She told me last night that for the first 3 appointments all she heard in her head was 'cancer' repeating itself. She said she just can't get past that word...so I will let her work through it and continue to be supportive. I think Sharyn said it so well when she said that it must be her own coping mechanism to protect herself. I'm trying to get her to eat more protein during chemo, etc. since she's never been a healthy eater (the woman is fine with a can of soup for food all day and always has been a little thing...he he). I'm an only child, parents are divorced and she has no family to speak of around...so I'm trying to prepare myself for the long haul. Thank God I have my husband to help me out when I need some support, and it's so helpful to know I've met such great people on this board. Thanks again guys!

So, I stumbled onto this web site when I really needed it. My mother was just diagnosed with extensive small cell lung cancer (lymph nodes engaged in one lung, center of chest and above, neck, with spread to liver and some spots in bones). My mother is 52 and has never really liked her life, is not exactly a 'strong' person and is prone to depression. I however, am a completely different strong, analytical person and as soon as I found out...I dove into all the information I could find. Which of course, as you all know didn't spell out a pretty picture...but I won't lose hope. She was diagnosed last Wednesday and started chemo yesterday. The doctor has not shared the details with her yet beyond where it is (survival rates, details of how fast moving, etc.) because he feels that she is in too 'fragile' of a state right now...which I agree. However, she knows I know the details because of the research I've been doing. So, here's the dilemma...she's started asking me questions. If I tell her what I know, I really don't feel like she is strong enough to handle it and she will most definitely say 'screw it' or possibly harm herself (not exaggerating, that's just how my mother is). If I let her find out in pieces from the doctor (I asked him to start sharing more with her as we go along because she's in denial and I've told him she isn't listening to what he's saying), I know she is going to be mad and hurt and feel like I conned her into doing something she didn't want to do (the chemo). What's disconcerting to me is she is hearing things that the doctor never said. For example, the doctor told her yesterday that this treatment will help her and could extend her life. I took that as helping her symptoms and extending her life like he said. Later that night, she told a friend on the phone (I was there) that he said it could cure her. This upsets me, but I don't want to make her think I'm shooting down her hopes if I tell her more?? Which is SO not the case, it's not what I want to do. P.S: She does not use the internet, etc...so she looks to me for information/research. Thank you