85 year old has been diagnosed with Bowel Cancer. It's so overwhelming, don't know where to start

85yr old Aunt has bowel cancer,going to widen bowel so she can eat and drink again , somehow i think this will not happen,just been diagnosed but because of age operating etc is too invasive.we have been told that they think palative care is now the best route for her and just to make her comfortable.

Has heart problems now,she is also a kidney dialysis patient.she was married to my mothers brother they never had family,my mother is her next of kin,my mother is in her late 70s and has cognitive problems can hardly speak,we do not know how long my Aunt has left ,visiting my Aunt who is in hospital today ,hope to get answers to some of our questions,at the minute it seems so overwhelming for me and my mam.Do not know where to start.

  • Welcome to the forum Lilybet64 although I'm really sorry to hear about your aunt and that palliative care is now being recommended as the best course of treatment.

    This must be very difficult but I hope you were able to get some of your questions answered when you went to visit your aunt at the hospital the other day, and are feeling slightly less overwhelmed now.

    If you do have any further questions about your aunt's diagnosis and treatment, you can give our cancer nurses a call on 0808 800 4040. Their phone lines are open Monday - Friday between 9a.m - 5p.m and they'll do all they can to help.

    Hopefully some of our members will be along soon to offer their support and advice but in the meantime, we're thinking of you Lilybet64 and wishing you and your family all the very best for what lies ahead.

    Kind regards,

    Steph, Cancer Chat Moderator