My husband is in the late stage of transitional cell carsinoma of the lacram sac, he has cancer wounds on his face which the district nurses are having difficulty to dress will this mean the best option is for him to go into a hospice?
I am sorry to hear about your husband, this must be a difficult time for you both.
It is difficult without being directly involved in your husbands care to say whether he needs specialist hospice care at this point in time. This is something best talked through with the nurses and doctors involved. If the district nurses are struggling to dress your husbands wounds they may ask for some input from a tissue viability nurse who can advise them about the best dressings to use to manage this.
However if you are finding it more of a struggle having your husband at home then a discussion needs to be had to decide what may be best for you both. If your husbands wishes are to stay home and this is possible then support services can be arranged to enable this. On the other hand if the hospice were a possibility and your husband also wants this I am sure he can be referred to the nearest hospice.
Having said that a place in a hospice is usually offered for respite or symptom management involving a short stay of a week or 2. When a hospice place is needed for end of life care and the prognosis of several weeks or more is given this may not be possible until they are nearing the end or in need of specialist hospice care.
I hope this helps and that both your husband and yourself get the support and help you need at this time.
Please get back to us if you need any more information or support. You may find it helpful to talk things through with one of the nurses on our helpline. The number to call is Freephone 0808 800 4040 and the lines are open from 9am till 5pm Monday to Friday.
