how to support a friend with small stem cell cancer ?

excuse me if im waffeling but ive never used this kind of communication but i feel that i need some advice , lived experiencies and a positive influence coz i feel like im craking up my freind (uncle not by blood but he was alays there for me has been diagnosed with small stem cell cancer . they said it was terminal and he had 6-12 months to live . this was in october. since then

although the mc millan nurse gave me a cd i(that i never wstched untill 2weeks ago) i think i was in denial as is he still. he is 65yrs ols and was ex army so he has a high pain tolorence as well as knowing what ye likes n dont! ive had him staying at mine because he also has osti arthis and he can no longer get abouy alone a week ago i went into his house with his keys and found that hed fell out of the be and was lying on the concereat floor for 4/5hours .i called an abulamce who eventually deciced he was worthy of going to a hospital:only to bring him to my house with no med or discharge papers . i noticed that sincecomming from the hospital he could no longer walk , was very anxious and kept tossing and turning, thowing the blanket off him, saying help help coz he dont feel save on the bed ,so he will start shaking and become what i feel is a panick attack . heis breathing sounds like his gurgling but from his chest,i couldnt go to sleep as i felt if i did he msy need me an i wont hear him. now in the past two days as i stated aboeve i feel he became very very anxious, verbely abusive and very unpredictable;he kept saying that he can in his words feel somthing up his ***. and he kept trying to stick his fungers up there . since i called the abulance 2days ago it quite scared me because that night he was begging me to help him and he was sweating on the head , neck, chest but frezzing on the hands;this really scared me an it has made me question will i be the best person to care for him?? i love him very much an would love to carry out my promise and his wish by allowing him to come and stay at mines. but i feel really scared so any advice on how to talk to him, and any support groups of servicesi i could acsess would be very nuch appreicated

  • Hi and welcome to the forum.  It must be so very difficult to be trying to look after your friend and he is so lucky to have you looking out and caring for him. Does he have family that could help with supporting you both during this time.

     If he is currently in hospital then I think you must speak with those looking after him and be honest about your fears as regards how best to care for him.  There are support services but they vary from area to area and his GP would probably be the best person to approach in the first instance.  If he is already staying with you then once again talk with his GP who may be able to arrange community nurses to visit and they can guide you as to what his needs are now and will be as his illness changes. Unfortunately the cancer can affect peoples personality and they will not seem themselves at times.

    If you would like to talk directly to someone then give the nurses on this site a call. The number is at the bottom of the page and they can be called Mon to Fri 9-5 free from landlines and some mobiles. You can also access information on the Macmillan website or get back in contact with the nurse who handed you the cd. Hope you can find some support close to where you are and in the meantime do come to the forum any time you need to and I am sure others will be along to give their thoughts in due course. Jules54

  • Thank you very much for your advise I really appreciate it . I have since raised my concerns and have been assigned a social worker for him who will assist In anew plan to cover his and my concerns which has made me feel more at ease . Also they are going to come an *** my home to made the necessercary arrangements . So thanks again the advice really helped me

  • Good to read that you and your friend will now have access to additional support.  I hope things go as well as they can when taking such a journey with cancer.  The forum is here any time you need a chat. Take care, Jules