Bladder cancer spread to back bone and ribs

My brother in law had his bladder removed because of cancer on the 29/1/2024,  After the removal he came home for recovery, unfortunately last week he wa admitted to the hospital with infection an blood clots in both legs and feet, having now blood thinner injections to treat the blood clots.  In men time free MRI scans and other tests they found out that the cancer has spread to his back bone and ribs, doctor told him no us that there is nothing they can do for him no that he’s going to die (they didn’t give us a time that he might have left ) it was a shock to all of us,  as the doctors can only make him comfortable with pain management until he dies.  In about. Weeks time hospital will start to prepare him to come home, but my sister don’t want him to come home a she says that she’s not ble to care for him a she has work and two underage daughter to care for.  My brother in law just wants to come home to be with his family until the end of his days, but my sister is refusing to take him home, she’s talking to the doctors to arrange for him to go to this special place where they send patients that te dying.  I don’t really understand my sisters decision, she has a 16 yet and 12 year old daughters, she says that she needs to think of them (i don’t grew with her decision on this matter), my brother in law should be ble to come home no sty the rest of his days with family where he belongs not somewhere away from family, his life is already going, the leat we can do is help,him though this sadden time of his last days, months or even few years.

what advice  can you give  me, please help as this is very confusing and he’s only 57 years old, and we are not ready for him to die yet.

thank you very much 

  • Hello RosePetal23

    I'm sorry to hear about your brother-in-law's diagnosis and the situation that he and his family now find themselves in. It's obviously a very difficult time for the whole family. 

    People do react very differently to hearing that a loved one has a terminal diagnosis and I suspect that your brother-in-law's wife is dealing with a wide range of thoughts and emotions at the moment. 

    Try to encourage and support both your brother-in-law and his wife to have open and honest conversations with each other and with the hospital team about the best way forward for his care to be managed and for everyone to be supported, particularly the children as undoubtedly they will be struggling with this news as well. 

    If you'd like to speak with one of our nurses for some support and advice you're welcome to call them on 0808 800 4040, Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm. 

    I do hope that as a family you're able to come together to support each other through this difficult time. 

    Best wishes, 
    Jenn
    Cancer Chat moderator 

  • Hi Jenn, unfortunately by brother-in-law passed away on the 16/4/24, he went into hospice on Saturday 13/4/24, he was talking , on Monday 15/4/24 when I went to see him he has lost his voice, and on Tuesday 16/4/24 I received a call from the nurse at 13:50 to tell me that he has passed just as she’s talking to me, Tomas is my sister as they could not get hold of her (she was at work, I had to call her and give her the sad news).  His cancer has spread very aggressively, a chick that he went even sooner that the doctors has told us.  Funeral is on 18/4/24 at 11am.

    thank you for you message

    rosaria

  • Hello Rosaria, 

    Thank you for taking the time to let us know the very sad news. I just wanted to send you our sincere condolences after the passing of your brother in law. Our thoughts are with you, your sister and your loved ones during this difficult time. 

    Best wishes, 

    Lucie, Cancer Chat Moderator