Hi Everyone

Sorry to be so forward but does anyone know the life expectancy when put on a syringe driver? My dad has been on it for two days now and with not being able to eat it’s quite upsetting and I know its not going to be far away but I’m trying to be prepared for the worse. I am finding it very hard to grieve if that makes sense. I’m still going to work and trying to keep normal as possible. Don’t alk about this either to anyone as I feel as thought it’s very private to me. Sorry for anyone that has had to go through this. 

  • Hi James and welcome, I am so sorry to hear about your dad and what you are both going through, been through this with mum and knowing the inevitable is close but not knowing when and seeing your loved one suffering with no hope of  getting even a little better is heart breaking. I can understand you grieving for the man your dad used to be and that you are going to lose him, It's normal. James I was in healthcare for 15 years and did many years in end of life cancer care and people with syringe drivers often had them for a couple of weeks. If you have a palliative care team, they knowing, your dads diagnosis could give a better answer than i ever could. When eating became difficult i found ice cream was the easiest thing for patients to eat. best wishes to you both. take care

    Eddie

  • Hi James, I am sorry to hear what you and your Dad are going through. I nursed my Mum through cancer, and it does sound as though your Dad is very near to the end.  I don't think that anything can really prepare us for losing someone we love, even when we know that they don't have long to live.  As eddiel says, your Dad's palliative care team will probably be able to answer your questions better than anyone else could.  As for finding it hard to grieve, that's perfectly normal.  It took me years to be able to grieve for my Mum.  Everyone is different and grief affects all of us in different ways.  Take care James, I wish you and your Dad all the best, xx 

  • Thank you for replying. Also that you went through this as well x

  • Thank you for your kind words means a lot. Cancer is so cruel. Hopefully in the near future there can be a cure. X