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Cancer

Find advice & support if you or someone you know has been diagnosed with cancer

DH showing some signs of delirium, advanced metastatic bone cancer

44 replies

2Old2Tango · 22/05/2024 17:22

My DH has metastatic bone cancer. Primary was breast cancer which he had in 2020. The bone cancer was diagnosed in late 2022 and he receiving palliative care. The cancer is in his spine, ribs, pelvis, a little in his lungs and now an increasing amount of skin mets, including large lumps on his head and back. We know the lump on his head is affecting his nerves, causing some facial numbness and double vision in one eye.

Over the 19 months since diagnosis he has declined considerably. Extensive pain and weight loss. Doesn't eat much, very reduced mobility. Sleeps a LOT! Over the past few weeks he's been groaning a lot in his sleep and now he's started talking in his sleep as though he's talking to another person. Most is unintelligible but I've heard his say "want that" several times. When awake he is mostly alert and "with it".

Has anyone else experienced this delirium in a loved one with advanced cancer? I'm wondering if it's moving into his brain, but will speak with the doctor tomorrow when he visits. Interested in hearing other experiences.

OP posts:
Polly271220 · 22/05/2024 17:26

Sorry I can't help you...but your both in my thoughts and wish I could offer advise x

ChronicallyOversharing · 22/05/2024 17:28

This is how DP was at the end with his cancer. It was actually sepsis. Are you supported by the palliative care team or district nurses? I think you should contact one of them rather than wait for the GP.
So sorry you are also going through this Flowers

If the delirium is new I mean.

Soontobe60 · 22/05/2024 17:30

Sending a big hug to you both - although I don't have any practical advice xx

Ididntmoveon · 22/05/2024 17:33

This sounds very like my uncle towards the end with his metastatic cancer.

I am so sorry.

💐

UpUpUpU · 22/05/2024 17:38

No answers but hugs OP.

My mum died recently of cancer. She actually succumbed to a heart attack but in the days before she had become more delirious and not particularly with it. We too suspected it had gone into her brain but her heart failed before it could be investigated.

Jeannie88 · 22/05/2024 17:47

ChronicallyOversharing · 22/05/2024 17:28

This is how DP was at the end with his cancer. It was actually sepsis. Are you supported by the palliative care team or district nurses? I think you should contact one of them rather than wait for the GP.
So sorry you are also going through this Flowers

If the delirium is new I mean.

Edited

This! From devastating experience it could well be an infection, which I hope the staff are checking for. It can progress quickly, please seek help and make sure he's getting lots of fluids. Best of luck, sending hugs 🫂 xx

realhousewifeofoc · 22/05/2024 17:51

I'm sorry to hear that. Is he receiving palliative treatment? Is he on any kind of chemo etc? Sorry I'm unclear from your post if he is still receiving treatment. Is your DH still having regular scans etc.

I also have metastatic breast cancer with spread to a lot of bones as well as liver. I'm currently on my 6th line of chemo. I also have a Macmillan nurse that visits me at home regularly. My first port of call for any questions or when my symptoms change is either my chemo unit or Macmillan nurse. Do you have anyone similar you can ask, does he also have a palliative care nurse? Is he under the hospice team? ( I am)
I've read that sometimes hypercalcaemia can cause confusion? If he's having his bloods done could they could for this, or could maybe arrange for a brain scan if necessary?

I hope you are coping ok op. Sending hugs x

2Old2Tango · 22/05/2024 18:07

ChronicallyOversharing · 22/05/2024 17:28

This is how DP was at the end with his cancer. It was actually sepsis. Are you supported by the palliative care team or district nurses? I think you should contact one of them rather than wait for the GP.
So sorry you are also going through this Flowers

If the delirium is new I mean.

Edited

Yes he's under the local hospice palliative care team. It's a doctor from there who is coming to see him first thing tomorrow. We also have regular contact with district nurses.

OP posts:
Jegersur · 22/05/2024 18:10

It’s possible he could have a urine infection, especially if he’s not drinking much. These can cause confusion and delirium.

CJ0374 · 22/05/2024 18:18

My mums partner had asbestosis and he came out of the hospital with delirium after they drained several litres of fluid. He'd previously driven, walked miles for exercise, danced several times a week and was in great health for his age. After the drainage, he'd aged 20yrs. His GP said delirium was common in older people after a stress in their life, but implied it would clear- unfortunately it never did with him.

As others have said, I'd rule out a UTI or other infection causing the confusion.

Confortableorwhat · 22/05/2024 18:20

DH got repeated urine infections towards the end and they made him delirious.

notapizzaeater · 22/05/2024 18:33

When my DH had stage 4 cancer he constantly got urine infections first symptom was delirium. His did spread to his brain and we noticed this one because he kept forgetting silly things - couldn't tell me he'd had coronation chicken for lunch but could list the ingredients but not name it. Def speak to the hospice / consultant. We had a direct line to the cancer wing at the hospital to speak to people.

2Old2Tango · 22/05/2024 19:38

realhousewifeofoc · 22/05/2024 17:51

I'm sorry to hear that. Is he receiving palliative treatment? Is he on any kind of chemo etc? Sorry I'm unclear from your post if he is still receiving treatment. Is your DH still having regular scans etc.

I also have metastatic breast cancer with spread to a lot of bones as well as liver. I'm currently on my 6th line of chemo. I also have a Macmillan nurse that visits me at home regularly. My first port of call for any questions or when my symptoms change is either my chemo unit or Macmillan nurse. Do you have anyone similar you can ask, does he also have a palliative care nurse? Is he under the hospice team? ( I am)
I've read that sometimes hypercalcaemia can cause confusion? If he's having his bloods done could they could for this, or could maybe arrange for a brain scan if necessary?

I hope you are coping ok op. Sending hugs x

He was initially put on a hormone drug to try to halt the spread but this has stopped working. They're talking about starting a proper chemo tablet. It will only shrink/delay at best. He's due to have some radio first on one of the lumps which is causing a lot of pain.

He drinks loads throughout the day, just doesn't eat much. Could be a UTI I guess. Will speak to the doctors to get their advice.

OP posts:
2Old2Tango · 22/05/2024 19:39

UpUpUpU · 22/05/2024 17:38

No answers but hugs OP.

My mum died recently of cancer. She actually succumbed to a heart attack but in the days before she had become more delirious and not particularly with it. We too suspected it had gone into her brain but her heart failed before it could be investigated.

So sorry for your loss x

OP posts:
BeautyGoesToBenidorm · 22/05/2024 20:00

Sadly yes, this happens. My great-aunt had tongue cancer (lifelong heavy smoker) that rapidly spread to her brain. It was awful to see.

I'm so, so sorry you're both going through this.

2Old2Tango · 22/05/2024 20:12

Gingernaut · 22/05/2024 19:49

With my mum (lung cancer, bone metastasis), the delirium was caused by the bones breaking down - hypercalcaemia

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18440772/#:~:text=Hypercalcemia%20is%20one%20of%20the,care%20clinic%20with%20uncontrolled%20symptoms.

This is interesting, thank you.

OP posts:
QueenBitch666 · 22/05/2024 22:00

I can't offer any advice. Just a huge hug to both of you ❤️

2Old2Tango · 25/01/2025 13:23

I was just going through my "threads that I started" (not many of them), found this and thought I'd update, as I personally like it when an OP updates.

I was very grateful at the time to those who responded, especially those who were suffering themselves or who had lost love ones.

In DH case it wasn't an infection. The cancer had spread to the lining of his brain. He got worse and at the very end he was suffering what they call "terminal agitation" where he couldn't settle, constantly up and down 24/7, couldn't sleep. Also his breathing changed in the last few weeks. He'd take a breath and then seemed to hit pause for up to 50 seconds before he took another.

DH died almost two months exactly after I posted. He is at peace now and all is well, just wanted to post a conclusion for anyone interested x

OP posts:
MissMoneyFairy · 25/01/2025 13:25

So sorry for your loss

ChocolateTruffleAssortment · 25/01/2025 13:28

I’m sorry for your loss, I hope you are okay.

ClioMuse · 25/01/2025 13:30

That is exceptionally kind and thoughtful of you. I'm so sorry to read of your loss and I do hope you're ok 💐

Pancakeparlour · 25/01/2025 13:31

I am so sorry for your loss. I too hope you are doing well x

bumblenbean · 25/01/2025 13:31

So sorry for your loss OP. That sounds very traumatic, but like you say your DH is at peace now and no longer in pain. I'm sure he was glad to have you there at the end ❤️

Bimblesalong · 25/01/2025 13:34

So very sorry for your loss. 💐