My dad has terminal cancer

My poor dad has been diagnosed with stage 4 colonrectal cancer,  started oral chemotherapy today but have  give me a letter from the consultant, which details that they have discussed that the chemo is just to possibly shrink and control for around 2 years 

I am devastated, I feel as though I am grieving already and my dad is still with us, I can't sleep - keep waking around 2am and my mind is all over the place.  I have an 11 year old daughter, so I try my absolute best to be strong for her and for my mam, but underneath I'm falling apart. I can't be without my daddy, I'm so scared and I just don't know what to do.  We have a holiday abroad booked in about 10 weeks time and I don't know whether I should cancel and stay close at home to my mam and dad, or still go for my daughter. 

I didn't know what replies I am hoping for from this, but I just needed to put down in words exactly how I am feeling and had no one or no where else to do this.

Thank you for listening

  • Welcome to the Cancer Chat forum VictoriaD, although I'm very sorry to hear about your dad.

    I can't begin to imagine how upsetting it must have been to find this out, but I hope it helps to know that many of our members will completely understand how you are feeling having gone through this with their loved ones, so you are not alone, and hopefully it won't be long until some stop by to offer their support and share their experiences and advice.

    If you would like to talk about this with one of our cancer nurses, you can contact them on 0808 800 4040, Monday - Friday between 9a.m - 5p.m. Our nurses are very easy to talk to and will do all they can to support you at this very difficult time.

    Do keep posting if you find it helps VictoriaD and remember, we will always be here for you.

    Kind regards,

    Steph, Cancer Chat Moderator

  • Aww Victoria I feel for you massively, I went through the same thing last year with my dad who has now unfortunately passed away. All I can say is you are stronger than you can imagine and you will get through this. Life also did return to some normality after his diagnosis, although hard to believe - but that helped to calm me a lot. Sending love 

  • Hi Victoria. I almost could have written this. 4 days ago my lovely Dad was diagnosed also with terminal bowel cancer. I'm absolutely devastated. I have children, my own family too and an wondering how I can go out with out my wonderful Dad. I just can't imagine life without him. I don't want to. It's just awful. 2 years sounds good to me, I'm thinking from what my Mum said we probably only have months. I don't really know. He hasn't accepted chemo as has a fear of being sick.  Don't know what to do, just feel absolutely gutted, depressed, like I don't want to to on myself. But I have to for my children.