Lung cancer, secondary at top of neck

My dad has just turned 80 and in November was diagonised with small cell lung cancer and now secondary at top of spine. He had 5 sessions of radiotherapy on his neck. The tumour in his lung bled out so he had a 5 blast dose of radiotherapy on that. The doctor then told him they couldn’t discharge him without taking home a pen. This was on the chance that he bled out and it would mean that once given he was not aware of it happening. My mum collapsed when they told us that and I really thought he would not be able to deal with that. However after another night in hospital it was decided that he should not take this pen home.  He was managing his pain by ibrobrufen and paracetamol. Still dealing with a lot of pain but insistent that he was coping. On Wednesday he suddenly said his side was sore and he felt dizzy. He took to his bed and the doctor came out on Thursday. She prescribed morphine for his shoulders and neck. Diazaphan for his back. Since Thursday he has hardly drunk anything and not eaten anything. He is very sleepy and refuses to open his eyes. Facing the wall and not interested in anything. He was in agony for a few days but the side is easing and the morphine is helping his shoulders and neck. He is fairly lucid, dehydrated and has passed urine but refuses to get out of bed. He has said he wants to die and wants oblivion through the drugs which he was getting but he is getting used to the morphine. He was weak before this but now I really don’t think I can get him to move as his legs would buckle. I really don’t know what to do and will call the doctor in the morning. He tells us to go away and my mum is not giving him enough drugs. I think he thinks this is it as he has been given morphine and I attempted to tell him tonight that was for a better quality of life so he could get up but now he is too weak. Should I call Macmillan and really what could they do. Sorry for such a long dialogue but I really don’t know what to do. Thank you x 

  • Hi there my dad is 70 and was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer and it too had spread to his spine. I would suggest you contact his physician/ consultant and ask for a review appointment. It sounds like your dad is in a very negative place and may need to talk to someone who is not family, Macmillan are really good st providing emotional support. It’s really tough isn’t it but all you can do is be supportive and encourage your dad, big hugs to you 

  • Thank you for reply I will speak to the doctor tomorrow. 

  • Hi there I hope you don’t mind but I just read your posts. My mother had found it helpful to sort out the finances I do appreciate your mother is a lot younger than my mum - she is 74. Also I don’t know how your dad feels about that as he has to accept that he may not be around for ever. People function and behave in different ways and my friend insisted on not telling work and just kept on going albeit on heavy duty painkillers and even later talked about the future. So I guess you have to gauge it by how he is behaving. I am really sorry about this and your dad Is alot younger and I do hope his prognosis is better. I am finding this the most difficult situation I have ever had to deal with tbh. But he is the most important person in all of this and you have to take his lead. Take care X