MIL diagnosed lung tumour.

[forcryinoutloud]

Had CT result this week, told biopsy would confirm but they are pretty sure it cancerous. She has been unwell for the past month with increasing pain and it has now become at times intolerable.

The question I have at them moment is, what can they expect re nurse support, Macmillan help? Apparently they were introduced to a Mcn nurse at the hosp and given a 'phone number' but that's all I know. Would this be the line that's open Mon to Fri or is there a weekend service? She was in a lot of pain this morning but SIL said they (MIL and FIL) would not ring as they didn't want to bother the nurse?

I am sorry about her likely diagnosis

I really depends on her specific hospital. The nurse she was introduced to was most likely a clinical nurse specialist (CNS). They usually only work normal weekday hours.

But depending on her situation she may be referred to a variety of other services. It really depends on her prognosis and treatment plan.

When she has a formal diagnosis they will hopefully give her referrals and contact details for the appropriate services. But she should not suffer in the meantime. If the pain is intolerable then she needs to contact 111 who can advise the best course of action. Though they might as well try the number they were given just in case it's a weekend service (nobody will answer if not, so they won't disturb anyone!)

Thank you for your kind words and advice Whatwould. A lot of the problems with the elderly ILS is that they only listen to part of what's being said, you know that a lot of what they are told will be lost in translation! That and the fact that they 'don't want to bother' a flamin' nurse !

Ah yes. That can be frustrating! Could you frame it as the sooner the problem is dealt with, the easier it will be? If they ignore pain or other issues then it could be something serious and get much worse, requiring lots more resources, time etc. and more work for the nurse!

It's much easier to get pain under control early on, than trying to treat it when it's completely out of hand.

(Obviously your MIL shouldn't be suffering either. I didn't mean to suggest she should be worrying about causing trouble. But it seems like her comfort isn't a priority for her so that argument might work better)