Hi and thank you for posting,

I am sorry to learn of your grandad's situation, this must be a difficult time for you and your family.

When somebody decides not to have any further treatment, then care aims to help people live as comfortably as possible in the time they have left, this will include managing symptoms like high calcium. Having high calcium can occur in people who have advanced cancer.                                                                                                                                       

The aim of treating high calcium is to bring down the calcium level to help with the symptoms they may have. Having a high level of calcium does not worsen cancer, but depending on how high the calcium levels are it can cause unpleasant symptoms such as constipation, mild confusion, and feeling tired and weak. If not treated it can cause symptoms like drowsiness, and sickness.

How things progress will depend on where the cancer is in his body. Your grandad's GP will be in charge of his care, and how he will be managed will depend on what symptoms he may have. He may be referred to district nurses and a specialist palliative care team to help manage this. There is end-of-life care information on the NHS website, which may be upsetting to read, but it may answer some of the further questions you have.

I hope this helps a little. If you have any more questions or need any support you are more than welcome to contact us again. You may find it helpful to give us a ring and talk things through with one of our nurses on the helpline. The number to call is Freephone 0808 800 4040 and the lines are open from 9 am till 5 pm Monday to Friday.

Take care, all the best

Jemma