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Cancer

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

Cancer and family can't agree what to do

10 replies

CheesecakeMonster007 · 03/11/2024 17:58

My father in law has been diagnosed with lung cancer, we don't know how bad it is or the stage as we are still waiting on tests, they found it on a CT scan.
He lives close to us, DH sibling lives 4 hours away.
His friends & support network are up here. DH and I have agreed to step up as carers for him, take him to appointments and be there for chemo/radiotherapy. The only issue we have is that we have disabled dc so can't constantly stay at his, he lives alone but in a bungalow so it's suitable for her needs. However we know we can access carers through macmillian when the time comes.

DH sibling works full time. She's demanding fil moves to her city which is expensive in rent and fil would also struggle to afford. Sibling doesn't have room for him to live with them. Sibling is saying she will visit him before & after work but can't get time off work to take her appointments in the day time where we can be around in the day. Also saying they can't get time off work to visit until next year, even though they don't work 7 days a week. Basically just causing problems.
It's causing a lot of problems and stress, FIL doesn't want to move either. Sibling also has in head worse case situation, which at the moment we have no idea what stage it is he could have a good prognosis but sibling won't accept that. I've told them I know of over seven people who have had cancer and some have survived, some went into remission etc but they are convinced FIL will be end of life.

What an earth do I do? I feel like piggy in the middle, I don't want to upset fil he doesn't need the stress on top of dealing with this shock. dh sibling won't talk to DH, and goes through me.

OP posts:
FlatShoesOnly · 03/11/2024 18:05

I’m sorry to hear about your FIL. Your SIL sounds a bit much. You all need to stop. Breathe. Get the full test results and proper likely prognosis and care plan.

also why would your FIL move at this point? That’s mad and totally stressful.

Maddy70 · 03/11/2024 18:10

You are all making decisions about another person. What does he think?

I have just finished chemo. Largely i had few side effects apart from my hair. I only needed someone to take me to appointments. I didn't need "looking after" nor would I have wanted that

Everyone needs to calm down and avoid over stepping sil sounds unhinged and not thinking at all about the practicalities

DGPP · 03/11/2024 18:15

The last thing he will want to do is move. Reassure him that you can manage his appointments and be there for him but you respect his decision whatever he decides to do. Then let him decide.
the truth is lung cancer is often diagnosed late so moving him may be way too much as he could deteriorate fairly quickly

CheesecakeMonster007 · 03/11/2024 18:19

Maddy70 · 03/11/2024 18:10

You are all making decisions about another person. What does he think?

I have just finished chemo. Largely i had few side effects apart from my hair. I only needed someone to take me to appointments. I didn't need "looking after" nor would I have wanted that

Everyone needs to calm down and avoid over stepping sil sounds unhinged and not thinking at all about the practicalities

Congratulations on finishing chemo. Can I ask if you managed okay getting round the house & with sickness?

That's what I feel, it's not our place to decide what to do it's FIL choice if he wants to move only problem is that moving would also mean changing hospitals and massively delaying treatment. He's asked us to help do a bit of housework when he's too tired to do it as that's one of the symptoms but other than that he's quite happily driving and pottering around himself no where near what sibling seems to think he's like!

OP posts:
CheesecakeMonster007 · 03/11/2024 18:20

DGPP · 03/11/2024 18:15

The last thing he will want to do is move. Reassure him that you can manage his appointments and be there for him but you respect his decision whatever he decides to do. Then let him decide.
the truth is lung cancer is often diagnosed late so moving him may be way too much as he could deteriorate fairly quickly

They actually found it by accident due to an infection. It's not spread that's all we know.

OP posts:
Maddy70 · 03/11/2024 19:54

CheesecakeMonster007 · 03/11/2024 18:19

Congratulations on finishing chemo. Can I ask if you managed okay getting round the house & with sickness?

That's what I feel, it's not our place to decide what to do it's FIL choice if he wants to move only problem is that moving would also mean changing hospitals and massively delaying treatment. He's asked us to help do a bit of housework when he's too tired to do it as that's one of the symptoms but other than that he's quite happily driving and pottering around himself no where near what sibling seems to think he's like!

I didnt have any sickness. They gave me great anti sickness tablets. They know what they're doing

Definitely dont move him. Hes in the medical system dont mess that up

AnnaMagnani · 03/11/2024 20:02

You all need to take a deep breath and wait until you actually know what treatment he is having. And let him be an adult who can make his own decisions.

Moving city is generally a bad idea as he will need referring to a new treatment centre. And he will want his friends and support network.

You all seem to be assuming he will need 24 hour carers. Most of my patients drive themselves to chemo or even come on the bus. Some are still at work.

Oh and Macmillan does not provide or organize carers. But not relevant right now as FIL is a fit guy looking at life-extending treatment.

Sirzy · 03/11/2024 20:09

FIL doesn't want to move either.

this is all that matters. There is very little he will be in control of at the moment so he should be able to control what he reasonably can.

maybe look at getting a cleaner or similar to help him a bit and then if needed down the line look at a care package but hopefully it won’t come to that

Brandnewskytohangyourstarsupon · 03/11/2024 20:09

What a massive shit storm, also a little window into the future!

Its perfectly simple.

  1. What will the full picture in terms of diagnosis and treatment actually look like?
  2. What does FIL want?

The simple bit is acting on that information regardless of what sibling wants.
It’s not about them at all, so they need to wind their chaotic neck in and stop with the unreasonable demanding right fucking now.

Dawninglory · 03/11/2024 20:10

IF it hasn't spread it is not at stage 4, which is good news. Wait until the results come back. And if you haven't got the time to help at home for him contact Age UK, a home help can come in, clean, do a bit of shopping, even prepare a snack. X

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