My Dad <3

Evening all, I'm not someone who posts on forums but I just feel lost.

My Dad, 73, got rushed to hospital Nov '23. He ended up having  to have emergency surgery for blood clots in his legs and during his many scans they discovered he had cancer which they have said is terminal. They believed it to be Adrenal Cancer and it had spread further to other parts of his body. In the past month of so, more lumps, which are paining him, have been coming up everywhere, on his head, face, neck, armpits...and he's gone downhill ever since. He's now on morphine and is so weak, dizzy and barely eating. I don't know what to do or how to help him. I keep thinking of different ideas to help his lumps like heat patches, hot water bottles, etc. His main pains are his back where his kidneys are and the back of his head which is the worst lump :( 

My Dad has always been a strong man, always pottering around and never ill. To see him like this is scary as its my Dad. He's my rock. The one that'll always be there for me and knowing there's nothing I can do to help him is destroying me.

  • Hello Midgley.

    I'm so sorry to hear about your Dad's diagnosis and the situation that you now find yourselves in. It's understandably been a difficult time for you both and it's natural that you may be feeling overwhelmed by all that has and is going on. 

    Does your Dad have access to a clinical nurse specialist or a palliative care team? Do talk to them about your concerns, particularly his pain management as they will be best placed to help improve this for him. They can also discuss any dietary supplements that may be appropriate for your Dad at this stage in his illness. 

    Sometimes it can help to talk through how you're feeling with someone and I wonder if you might find it useful to chat with one of our team of nurses. I know they will be happy to listen and offer any advice, information, and support they can. If you'd like to talk with them they're available Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm on 0808 800 4040. 

    Undoubtedly there are some difficult times ahead Midgley. Please know that the Cancer Chat community is here to listen if it helps to have a safe space to write down how you're feeling, to chat with others who understand, or to ask questions. We will do our best to offer any support we can. 

    Sending you both my best wishes, 
    Jenn
    Cancer Chat moderator 

  • I haven't got any advice as I've just posted a simular question. My Dad is my hero too and to feel so helpless is heartbreaking. You're not alone x