Esophageal Cancer - nearing the end?

My normally strong, lovely dad was diagnosed with esophageal cancer in September and was given 6 months to live at that time. He was operated on to have a stent fitted, and then another inside that stent a month later. This was an awful time as the stents never took and he struggled to swallow so he had to have them taken out. He was then able to eat small amounts for a month or so and then was back in having another stent fitted as the tumor was pressing making it difficult to swallow. He has barely eaten anything since (that as February). He is declining rapidly and has lost around 6 stones, is unable to sit for any length of time as he gets too sore. He has a hospital bed in the house now and needs a wheelchair to take him from the livingroom to his bedroom as he has no strength to stand. His heart is strong although all other organs and muscles aren't. He sleeps more than he is awake. He coughs alot and struggles to clear his throat. I don't know what to do other than listen to him when he is able to speak (which isn't often). Spending my time at the moment just keeping him company but watching him is heartbreaking. I don't know what to say to him now as it hurts too much. I cannot imagine life without him. Does this sound as though his time with us is nearing an end?

Parents
  •      thank you all for giving advice and kind words during what was a really difficult time with dad. He passed away a few days ago. He was so strong right til the end. He deteriorated more over the Monday so mum and I took turns sitting with him. I had seen a change on the Wednesday morning and just knew. Woke mum up and I’m so glad I did as we were then both able to be there holding his hand. I have never felt pain like it but also relief and major guilt that I knew it was better this way as he was no longer suffering and now at peace. thank you again xx 

  • Sb76 I am so sorry to hear this, it’s just an awful thing, I must tell yous also my mum passed away on Wednesday and her funeral was yesterday. When I asked about my mum on that Friday, I was told long weeks or short months, so I flew back to England, ready to come back the weekend after, mum went down hill that Saturday so I flew back Monday morning and stayed by her side, with my sister untill the Wednesday when she passed. She ended up passing peacefully in her sleep in front of us, her symptoms and pain was managed so perfectly all of Wednesday. Again I am so sorry for your loss and really feel what you’re going through. X

Reply
  • Sb76 I am so sorry to hear this, it’s just an awful thing, I must tell yous also my mum passed away on Wednesday and her funeral was yesterday. When I asked about my mum on that Friday, I was told long weeks or short months, so I flew back to England, ready to come back the weekend after, mum went down hill that Saturday so I flew back Monday morning and stayed by her side, with my sister untill the Wednesday when she passed. She ended up passing peacefully in her sleep in front of us, her symptoms and pain was managed so perfectly all of Wednesday. Again I am so sorry for your loss and really feel what you’re going through. X

Children