Pain umbearable - please help!

Hello,

I'm new here. My dad has just gone into hospice, he has bowel cancer which has spread to spine. He is in so much pain as the tumour is on his lower spine and growing into the muscles. He has been in hospital for three weeks prior to his hospice move due to shingles and sepsis. He is in too much pain for the palliative radiotherapy he was supposed to have - he couldn't even lie on the table on the planning day. He is crawling the walls with pain sometimes saying he wants to die and can't take any more. He is already on a fentanyl patch, diamorphine, a muscle relaxant and a syringe pump with morphine. I have heard there are anaesthetic injections and nerve blockers he could have? If anyone has any advice, I would be so grateful. Many thanks. 

 

  • Haello Saunde08,  What a terrible situation for you, having to watch your dad go through this.  I don't know the "officially correct" thing to do but I wouldn't half be making a fuss to his doctor until s/he comes up with something.  I mean, really make a nuisance of yourself if noone is taking any notice of you.     Without rude language or abuse - I am not saying you would do either of these things - constantly ring everyone involved until they do something.    Ask them what they would do if it was their father.  Say you will go to the local (or national, if you prefer!) press.  Tell them you don't like to make a fuss but you have been driven to it by the desperate circumstances.  And if necessary go to the press.

    Sorry this is not an easy route that I am recommending but if you have already asked nicely then I don't know where else you can go.  Annie

  • Many thanks Annie, I have kicked up a fuss previously- hence the syringe driver being introduced - but am going to see him again on Friday so will definitely be pushing again. He has a very supportive parent with him but unfortunately he is a plane ride away from me and my family. I will definitely try ringing if things don't improve now he's in the hospice. Thanks again. Emma

  • I am glad you didn't think I was going a bit over the top but I can only imagine how awful it must be for you and I am sure you would do anything necessary to improve your dad's situation.    I am not backward about coming forward myself when necessary and know there is a fine line you can not cross without getting yourself thrown out/cut off or whatever hence the need for polite-ish behaviour!  I am sure you know what to do!  I so hope you can get this sorted for everyone's sake; this must be so painful for you.