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Cancer

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Original poster

81 year old NSCLC, what to expect

13 replies

alldaybrunch · 21/04/2025 14:12

Hi all, I’m wondering if anyone could share their experience as it’s difficult to get an answer from the professionals.

My 81 year old uncle was diagnosed with NSCLC stage 4 in July 2024, and has not had any treatment. Also has COPD.

He was active until November 2024 and since then has deteriorated fairly slowly. For the last month eating/ drinking approx 200kcal a day. On 24 hours oxygen therapy.

For the last week has been extremely agitated, confused and delirious.

His wife and son live with him but for the last few weeks I am seeing things become excessively bad. I would like to know what else we can expect at this stage.

Please don’t worry about honest X

OP posts:
notapizzaeater · 21/04/2025 17:59

My DH (57) died from this, once the agitation, confusion arrived he quickly slipped into a coma and passed within 4 days.

Original poster
alldaybrunch · 21/04/2025 22:25

notapizzaeater · 21/04/2025 17:59

My DH (57) died from this, once the agitation, confusion arrived he quickly slipped into a coma and passed within 4 days.

Thank you for replying and I’m sorry to hear about your loss xx

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Original poster
alldaybrunch · 22/04/2025 06:54

Another stressful night of him being anxious and trying to get up and go somewhere

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Mumof1andacat · 22/04/2025 07:17

I take it hes ar home with you? Worth ringing the gp today and getting a referral to the district nurses who can make a home visit. He is likely to need some medication to calm him. They can also organise any aids to make things easier.

AnnaMagnani · 22/04/2025 07:47

I would expect that he is very near the end. Do his wife and son want him to be at home? And is this feasible or would hospice be better and calmer?

If they don't have it already, they urgently need district nurses, community specialist palliative care and injectable medications in the house for when he can't swallow.

fourelementary · 22/04/2025 07:50

Definitely get in touch with GP and ask for a palliative visit and for your uncle to get medication prescribed for his agitation. This is a normal stage of dying for some people and midazolam would work well for him and help keep him confortable. He can also be prescribed a string painkiller to help him die in peace. It sounds like he may be in the last days or maybe short weeks of life.

notapizzaeater · 22/04/2025 08:52

All of this, our hospice supplied us with the meds, the district nurse service came and administered them, they helped keep him calm (and us as it’s so stressful watching it)

Original poster
alldaybrunch · 22/04/2025 09:29

Mumof1andacat · 22/04/2025 07:17

I take it hes ar home with you? Worth ringing the gp today and getting a referral to the district nurses who can make a home visit. He is likely to need some medication to calm him. They can also organise any aids to make things easier.

He’s at home yes and has the district nurses on call. Thank you

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Original poster
alldaybrunch · 22/04/2025 09:39

AnnaMagnani · 22/04/2025 07:47

I would expect that he is very near the end. Do his wife and son want him to be at home? And is this feasible or would hospice be better and calmer?

If they don't have it already, they urgently need district nurses, community specialist palliative care and injectable medications in the house for when he can't swallow.

I think they would like him moved into the hospice at this point.

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Original poster
alldaybrunch · 22/04/2025 10:20

fourelementary · 22/04/2025 07:50

Definitely get in touch with GP and ask for a palliative visit and for your uncle to get medication prescribed for his agitation. This is a normal stage of dying for some people and midazolam would work well for him and help keep him confortable. He can also be prescribed a string painkiller to help him die in peace. It sounds like he may be in the last days or maybe short weeks of life.

Thank you, we also suspect he is near the end but no one is really saying it Xx

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Original poster
alldaybrunch · 22/04/2025 17:46

He’s being transferred to the hospice today

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notapizzaeater · 23/04/2025 17:29

Our hospice was amazing, my DH spent a month there getting his pain under control, he came out to die as he wanted to go at home. ((Hugs))

Original poster
alldaybrunch · 25/04/2025 11:29

notapizzaeater · 23/04/2025 17:29

Our hospice was amazing, my DH spent a month there getting his pain under control, he came out to die as he wanted to go at home. ((Hugs))

Awww thank you
yes they have been lovely, delirium slightly settled but no food and a small amount of liquid

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