The worst news...

Last week, my mum and dad went to talk about the plan of attack of my dads chemotherapy and a little more news about the cancer. What we were told was the worst, they said that even if he does the chemo, the cancer will always come back since too many lymph nodes were affected and that his life expectancy is maximum 5 years, I didn't think we could get any more worse news but this was the outcome, saying that no matter how much chemo he does, the cancer will just turn from stage 3 to 4 and spread to other organs, he will eventually die and he will be fighting a battle for the next 5 years that I don't think I can bare to watch. My mum, sister and I are helpless, while facing other problems in life like depression and anxiety, we have to deal with this too.
He will have to put in a chest port and will do it for 6 - 12 months starting in January, he will be most likely undergoing chemotherapy all 2020. My mums a mess and she can't sleep at night, sometimes I watch her just staring at a wall for hours just thinking about all the bad possible outcomes, I don't know what to say to her, I try and be positive but deep down she knows we may lose him, I need advice on how to not only support my dad but my mum as well.

thanks for reading.

  • Hi Renkurio,

    I'm so sorry to read about what you're all going through at the moment - this sounds like an incredibly tough situation.

    Cancer of course doesn't just affect the individual but everyone around them so it's important that you and your mum get support too.

    It might be worth trying to get additional support from a variety of sources. Macmillan can offer support for those in situations such as yours, as can your local Maggie's centre if you have one near you.

    If you'd like to talk anything through with our nurses, you can reach them on 0808 800 4040 - Monday-Friday, 9-5.

    And of course we're always here on this forum for you if you ever want to write down your thoughts or worries or anything like that, so do make sure you're talking to others.

    It's a cliche but try to take things one day at a time and do what you can to support your mum and dad while looking after yourself too.

    Wishing you all the best,

    Ben
    Cancer Chat Moderator

  • Hi Renkurio, nothing much to add really but to say that the anger is part of the grieving, as is the shock....You are grieving for the loss of expected years of life as well as for your Dad....I do think you are looking on the very worst side at present - we all have a mental picture of chemo and radio therapy, but there are good days and good memories to be made too...sometimes instead of a plan of attack its a rear guard action to cover the retreat....still part of the journey though....and 5 years is a long time....

  • Hi renkurio not sure how to start this but i am on palliative treatment for stage 4, started prostate went to lymph nodes, spine, ribs, pelvis and a lung, was diagnosed Feb 2016, I'm 67. Was working had to retire to look after my disabled wife she needs 24 /7 care dementia and motor neurone. The specialists don't always get things right in working how long a pacient has, anyway good luck with your father treatment, best wishes...

    Billy