Help! they are stopping treatment for my dad

My dad is in hospital at the moment with hypercalcemia.The doctors have told him that they are stopping treatment and he will be discharged with a palliative care package.I don't fully understand what this means.Does this mean that he is terminal? I have tried talking to the nurses and doctors but they can't tell me anything that my dad hasnt authorised them to tell me.I feel so confused and I just want some answers.All I do know is that he had radiotherapy and chemotherapy for tumours on his spine and now they have found one on his neck, he has had a couple of instances of hypercalcemia and lost a lot of weight.I want to try and help him in any way that I can and I would especially like to help him regain his appetite if thats possible,we have also recently lost my nan(his mum) to cancer in the past 5 weeks.Any insight and advice would be greatly appreciated.

Susan

 

  • Hi Susan,

    It sounds like the only person who can possibly answer your questions is your Dad.

    There are a number of reasons why the treatment is being discontinued ranging from your Dad deciding he's simply had enough, through to your Dad being too ill to be able to physically cope with any more. This latter could be because his platelet count or white blood cell count is too low, or he may have an infection.

    The hospital staff would be breaching his right to confidentiality if they told you anything without his permission. I've made it clear to my care team that I am happy for them to share any information with my wife and son to avoid this happening. 

    I hope you manage to get to the bottom of this. 

    Best wishes

    Dave