Hello, 

Very sorry to be hearing this sad news about your dear husband. With his recent decline and your obvious worries about this I have to ask what his doctors are suggesting? Does he have a macmillan nurse at all? Have you been given any details regarding your local hospice? I know there's a lot to take in and it can be very hard to know what to think or do in these situations. I don't think anyone on here can give you an exact answer as to whether this is the beginning of the end all we can do is share our experiences and advise you as best we can. 

I have experience in dealing with my fathers cancer. He was diagnosed in April 2015 with stage 4 incurable bowel cancer which had spread to his lungs and liver. He was on/off palliatibe chenotherapy until January 2017. Then in April we found out his cancer had spread to his brain and this caused a massive decline and he deteoriated rapidly. He passed away peacefully at home on 23rd August, almost 5 months ago now. I know how my Dad deteoriated in the final months, weeks and then days. I can't say for sure if this is the chemotherapy etc causing this for your husband or if he is near the end. If you have any concerns please speak to his doctors or nurse they are the best people to advise you. 

Certain things to look out for which were things I noticed when my dad was dying.... sleeping more frequently, becoming restless, eating less, difficulty with swallowing (liquified foods are helpful), drinking less, strong urination, disinterest in socialising/talking/telly etc. There were other symptoms but these were brain related due to where the cancer had spread so it won't be the same for everyone else. 

If you have any further questions you would like to ask please don't hesitate in asking. 

Big hugs 

Thanks for your feed back. He has started sleeping more and eating less. Today I gave him a risotto which was quite wet and he couldn't swallow that so asked for soup.  Television doesn't really interest him anymore hasn't for a while now.  He does have a community oncology nurse and a palliative care nurse linked to the local hospice which he has asked to be admitted to when the time comes. 

I forgot to mention before he started palliative chemo but that was stopped because of his calcium levels and the decline in his liver and kidney function.  He's not had chemo sincec14th Dec, so it's not that making him so poorly.  It's almost like they've sent him home to die but not said that's what they've done,  if you know what I mean.

Was just wondering if your husbands problems with swallowing is due to the cancer he has? Have you asked his doctor or the nurse why he is having great difficulty with swallowing non liquified foods? Has he had a recent CT scansor due for one any time soon that can tell you what is going on regarding his cancer? Sometimes it is very difficult to get the full picture from the doctors as they can talk around things when all we want to know is the straight honest truth. I really do think someone should be in touch with you because the way you have described your husband honestly sounds like he could be nearing the end. Very similar to how my Dad was towards the end. When my Dad was sent home to die they called it 'hospice at home' and carers were issued to come in during the day to help care for him and give my mum breaks. So it is worth noting that for future reference.