Please help. Just found this on my dad's back.

[sprigatito]

My dad's partner died of cancer a few days ago, he and I were with her when she died, and I've brought him home with me until the funeral (and probably permanently). He's got Alzheimer's and his partner was his carer. He's been looking pained and twisting his shoulder, he said it's just a spot, but I made him show me his back and found this. It looks just like the squamous cell carcinoma he's had removed before, only it's enormous. He's lost weight and is pale and more vague and breathless than usual, but I thought it was just grief

This is really fucking bad, isn't it? He survived stage 4 lymphoma in 2017 and has a heart condition. I have a doctor calling me back from 111, but should I just take him to A&E?

reading others recent posts re migraines, my mother would get stomach migraines. She said that if she threw up before midnight, she would go back to sleep. If she threw up after midnight, she wouldn’t stop for three days.

Might be something to look into later.

Oh OP, I remember you as Greensleeves!
I am so sorry for all you, your dad and family are going through. If good thoughts from strangers are any comfort to you, you have them in abundance.

You will get through this

PS I assume that they've checked your dad's clotting profile is ok?

Jesus Christ, I'm so sorry to read this. Your ds is exactly the same age as my dd. I do hope you get some answers sharpish and don't have to wait long. Everything crossed he's better soon and you'll all have a LONG run of good luck now. Take care xxx

Gosh I also remember you. I hope your ds gets better soon. This is very worrying for you.

One thing after the other, lately, for your poor family, OP.

Sending strength your way and I hope your son's feeling much better soon.

We're back, he's got gastroenteritis and has strained his chest muscles from vomiting, which was causing the chest pain. He also had a massive panic attack on top of it, so not dangerous but very unpleasant for him. We're probably going to catch it (especially DH and I who got drenched in vomit so we're going to travel home overnight, then at least we can puke in the comfort of our own home! I think we probably overreacted a bit - but 111 did tell us to go to A&E (I feel daft now I know what it is)

It's never daft to go to A and E for chest pain and extreme vomiting.
You did the right thing.

Oh goodness. How horrible. But you must be relieved it’s nothing more serious. Given the stress you’re all under the panic attack isn’t entirely surprising. I hope you don’t catch it and you son feels better soon.

You need an emergency grab bag when we were going through a traumatic time I had one with chargers cash bottled water and snacks I have three kids and if it wasn't them it was me being ill it certainly came in handy

Oh my, you really are being put through the wringer lately, aren't you? Hope he's feeling better soon, and you somehow manage not to catch it.

OP you may not catch anything. Try not to fear the worst.

Your DF’s immune system is probably very vulnerable right now. Anything could cause this sort of vomiting. He’s a very fragile state.

He may need some help with fluids. Hopefully it calms down over the next 24 hours.

Wish you sleep and peace, all of you 🙏🤞

I expect you’re mightily relieved but worried that you’re now going to pass this to your dad. All you can do is take precautions and hope that you don’t develop symptoms. I really hope all will be well.

You are so strong OP, hope you are DH have been lucky and not caught anything. 🤞🏼

Don't feel daft. My family member refused to go to hospital when she had similar symptoms after the GP diagnosed gastroenteritis. Turns out it was a bowel obstruction and it killed her. Definitely better to be safe.

You did the right thing, don’t feel bad about A&E. The low temperature and chest pain sounded very concerning. Hope your ds makes a quick recovery.

Oh bless you, that's horrible for you all. Fingers crossed you don't pick it up but it's good to know at least what you're dealing with

I hope you haven't all caught the vomiting bug @sprigatito

So far so good, we're all absolutely knackered but nobody is vomiting. I am worried about Dad today, he looks very pale and drawn and is really quiet (which usually means he's in pain). I'm going to post a picture of his wound - TRIGGER WARNING!!! it's quite graphic - I've just changed the dressing and there's been a lot of bleeding again. I've been told to get him seen at the dermatology department again tomorrow and I've already sent them a photo, but I really don't like the look of the swelling and bruising. I have never dealt with a wound like this and have no idea what is normal. I know nobody should be diagnosing anything online of course, but if anyone familiar with surgical wounds has any observations I'd be very grateful.

Again - thanks so much for your patience and kindness, especially with my flapping and catastrophising. This thread has been so, so helpful.

Picture

@sprigatito
Without being able to palpate the area around the wound, it's hard to judge.
It looks very painful and it may be a little infected, but the pain could easily be from where it was squeezed so much to release the haematoma.

And healing wounds can be very painful. Can he take voltarol orally or by suppository? Can you ring 111 for advice on pain relief?

I will do that, thanks Shell - the A&E consultant told me he could only have paracetamol, but it really ain't cutting it. I hadn't thought of voltarol, I will ask about that specifically.

I’m not a medic and it’s a good thing you’re seeing a dermatologist asap but I would bear in mind that old people can bruise horribly. The haematoma and the wound will take some time to heal.

Does it feel hot at all? Does he feel hot/cold, sweaty, breathless, fast heart rate?

Wow, OP, that is a huge wound. I'd not be surprised if he's in pain. He will also be tired, I'm sure. Your poor dad.

I believe some inflammation is a normal part of the wound healing process, but I'm in no way qualified to say either way. Hope you can get something to make him more comfortable.

Wounds heal from the inside out, so you can't really tell just by looking at it how it is progressing. Can you smell anything? If there is no obvious pus, smell, or breaking down of the wound, it is a good sign that it is healing.

I haven't seen any pus and he doesn't have a fever, he's weak and breathless but he's been like that for weeks anyway. I think we will just wait to see the dermatology department tomorrow, unless it starts really pouring blood again or looks obviously infected. I am going to ring 111 now and ask about pain relief.