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Original poster

Cancer has spread

8 replies

FeelingThatWayOut · 26/02/2014 21:40

Hi, my grandad was diagnosed with bowel cancer around 18 months ago, we soon learned it had spread to his spinal cord and lymph nodes. Despite rigorous chemo and radiotherapy today we have found out the cancer is terminal and his prognosis is around 2 months Sad

He is still in hospital at the minute due to his magnesium levels being unstable and severe nausea but hopefully he will be allowed home soon with pain management.

I am in a state of shock. He is so fit and full of life its a massive blow. Is anybody going through the same thing?

OP posts:
chocoluvva · 27/02/2014 09:51

Oh. Sad I'm so sorry.

This happened to my mum seven years ago. She was very fit and active too.

She was at home following treatment until a week before she died when she (reluctantly -Sad ) went into a hospice as she needed a huge amount of nursing.

Is he getting cyclizine for his nausea? This seems to be one of the last anti-sickness drugs they give as it's expensive and strong.

I had bowel cancer too - stage 3 with lymph-node involvement so I know what the treatment is like.

Original poster
FeelingThatWayOut · 27/02/2014 10:02

Thank you Chocoluvva I am sorry to hear about your mum and your own battle with cancer.

Yes he is on cyclizine which is helping a little, he has suffered from nausea throughout his whole treatment and I cant help but feel if he had been described it earlier it would have made the last few months more bearable for him.

Im going to visit him in a short while and im taking my dd which will hopefully give him a boost. We are hoping for a discharge soon so he can come home to his home comforts Smile

OP posts:
chocoluvva · 27/02/2014 10:16

Have you spoken to his Macmillan nurse? She will co-ordinate care for him. Apologies if you know all this already. My DM's macmillan nurse was very helpful in getting her things eg an adjustable bed.

Your GF will feel so much better when he's home - it's depressing being in hospital isn't it?

Original poster
FeelingThatWayOut · 06/03/2014 21:11

Thanks again just wanted to update, grandad still in hospital but hoping to be home soon. A hospital bed and commode have been delivered to his house, as well as oxygen as cancer has started to attack his lungs Sad

Trying to stay strong for him though, hes really looking forward to getting home so he can watch his rugby Smile

OP posts:
crazynanna · 06/03/2014 21:20

Sending you love and strength Smile

My mum was diagnosed with terminal lung cancer in November, and reacted badly to the chemo and was in hospital with violent D&V for 2 weeks, she has now said no more of the IV strong chemo. It's just too much. She came out of hospital frail, weak and severely depressed.
Now on Anti-Ds , and is much brighter..she actually laughed on the phone the other day for the 1st time in weeks! She will now be on the tablet chemo.

It's a harrowing road, OP, but I send you vibes of love and strength Smile

Fairylea · 06/03/2014 21:27

Sending kind thoughts.

I nursed my gran through terminal bowel cancer at home with me in 2003. Mcmillan were wonderful and she managed to live life to the fullest she could right until about 2 weeks before she passed. Our local hospice were also good and were able to send someone a couple of nights a week to sit with her and manage her pain relief so I could have some respite.

It's a horrible time for everyone but make the most of every moment you can. I still have memories of my gran and I laughing as I tried to hoist her up the bed so she could have a few mouthfuls of her favourite chocolate. We both got the giggles.

I'm so sorry. X

Original poster
FeelingThatWayOut · 06/03/2014 21:38

Thankyou both for the replies. Im sorry to hear you have both gone through the same thing, cancer is so shit Sad

My grandad also had a reaction to the IV chemo, he went on to tablet chemo. Doctors have investigated whether he could have another round of chemo tablets to give a bit of extra time, but he was deemed not strong enough.

We have our first meeting with the Macmillan nurse tomorrow, have heard they are brilliant Smile got a question to ask about his oxygen, if its possible to have a mobile tank as well so he could maybe sit in the garden if he feels like it.

Just looking forward to getting home now Smile

OP posts:
LouiseSmith · 19/03/2014 16:08

I'm so sorry to hear about your sad news and my thoughts are with you.

No advice really besides Macmillan are amazing, they helped us no end when we lost my grandfather last year x

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