My mum is 79. She has been a smoker since 14. She has had a rattling cough on waking for years although it improves through the day. She has been complaining about back pain for weeks. Her appetite has been diminishing since around March. She has replaced her mattress twice in a month but the back pain is getting worse. It seems to be worse at night. Over the last few days she has all but stopped eating. She will pick at cold foods and ice cream. She has lost a dramatic amount of weight in a fortnight. She has been quite active until about a week ago including walking her dog but is no longer doing anything other than lying on her bed. Fortunately she lives with us so I am able to do things for her. She won’t go to the doctor, largely because she is afraid. I’m obviously very worried but I can’t do anything until she either gets worse to the extent I can call an ambulance or agrees to see the GP. Any advice gratefully received.