Hello Winnie14

I'm sorry to hear about your Grandpa's recent diagnosis. It's obviously come as a shock for you all. 

It's good to hear that your Grandpa now has the palliative care and district nurse teams in place to support both him and the family whilst you care for him. 

It can be really difficult sometimes to say how things will progress but the nurses will be best placed to support you with that information as time goes on. Do lean on them as you need to. 

If you want to chat with our team of nurses at any point you're most welcome to call them. They're available Monday to Friday 9 am to 5 pm on 0808 800 4040. 

Best wishes, 
Jenn
Cancer Chat moderator 

Hi Winnie, 

Whilst I can't give you any advice I just wanted to let you know how sorry I am for your news! 
 

I am going through something very similar with my lovely Nan at the moment. She is 78 and lives alone and has been so Independant however has had chronic pain in her shoulder for around 4months. We have all been cal along the Dr's worried about  her but she has been told it's a trapped nerve and been given pain killers that have not touched it. 
 

anyway a really long story short I couldn't get hold of her on Saturday morning so went to check on her and I found her so confused and unable to speak- I thought she had had a stroke. 
 

she went to hospital where they discovered a huge tumour in her spinal canal and lung. They are unable to say what type of cancer it is without a biopsy and they are deciding if it's in her best interests to do this and Offer any treatment as they know it's stage 4 and terminal. 
 

she had 5 days of radiotherapy to try and release the pressure on her spine and will need to be in a neck brace for the rest of her life to reduce the risk of being paralysed. She has gone through all of this with no visitors at all apart from when they allowed me to tell her it was terminal and start talking about any wishes she may have. I had 10mins! 
 

we have no idea how long she may have or what coming home will look like but I suppose time will tell. I am hopeful we will get her home as the consultant at least said he doesn't feel she is in her final days. 
 

MMA's a family we are devistaed and feel so let down. We have gone from encouraging her to keep moving on Dr's orders for the trapped nerve he said she has to her being lay flat in neck in a neck brace unable to lift her arms more than 30degrees in a week. It's madness! 

I am worried about how care gets set up and if the hospital will at least put something in place to help if and when she gets home  

anyway I'm sorry I can't bring you comfort but you are not alone and I hope you get to make some precious memories whilst you can. 

Thank you for your reply , 

I'm so sorry to hear about your Nan too , that must have been an awful shock . I do hope she is not in too much pain. 
things have happened quite fast with us , we had our first visit from the Macmillan nurse who was lovely and answered all mine and my brothers questions and even though the diagnosis is still the same I feel just slightly better that so much support is out there . I guess this type of support will happen with your Nan too if you are able to get her home and the hospital will sort this out for you . Sending you lots of love and strength to get through this . W xx