Ms

Please help. My gran suffered from cancer for a while, went through radiotherapy as she wouldn't survive anything else. She never went into full remission but was told it could be. We got told last week that the cancer is back and there most likely won't be any treatment available now, looks like this is it. What my main concern is is that my mother, grans daughter, has been asked to sign a DNR. We haven't been told a time line anything except that it's back. Can we be asked to sign a Dnr without another doctors opinion? 

  • Hello jap1995;  I don't pretend to know a great deal about this subject but looked up the subject on the internet.  There is a document provided by the Resuscitation Council UK together with the British Medical Association and Royal College of Nursing - I attach a link.  It is about model forms that should be used when making decisions about DNR.

    www.resus.org.uk/.../

    At the bottom of this first screen it provides a link to questions commonly asked about DNRs.  You just click on it.  On Page 3 it states:

    "If you wish, your family or close friends can be involved in these discussions. If you disagree with a decision about CPR, you can request a second opinion."

    I hope this may be of some use.  But as I say I really know little about the subject other than what I have found on the internet.

    Best wishes.  Annie

  • Hello and welcome to the forum, jap1995.

    I can see you've already had a very helpful reply from Annieliz. I just also wanted to add that we have a team of cancer nurses available to chat, if you'd like to talk to someone about the DNR request. 

    You can reach them on 0808 800 4040 (Mon - Fri, 9am to 5pm), or email them if you prefer.

    With best wishes,

    Helen
    Cancer Chat moderator