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Dying with lung cancer- What is it like?

nancyelizabeth
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Hi there,
 

I guess I'm posting this because i'm scared about what's around the corner for my dad but I know that no one can give a definite answer.

 

My father was first diagnosed with bowel cancer six years ago and since then it has spread to his liver and then lungs. He has mostly been able to lead a normal and active life in this time but things have became more complicated this year and a few weeks ago we received the news that there is nothing else to be done and that the lung cancer has spread.

 

He stays in bed all day, getting weaker and more withdrawn. We had a stairlift put in but he's barely used it. We can all see how anxious he gets and he seems to be less interested in talking to my family and is becoming distant. Of course I have no idea what's going on his head, and think that we're all just worried about what will happen next. The nurses have been talking about him having a syringe drive to calm him down, but that it may also mean speeding up the process to death.

 

I just want to know how sudden death can be for patients who have developed lung cancer and who have little time left. Although he's in no great pain at the moment, I can see he's stuggling mentally and I am worried about everything been drawn out. Are lung cancer- related deaths usually sudden? Does anyone have experience with this kind of thing?

 

Thabk you x

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    Hi Nancyelizabeth, I'm in a similar situation with my mam. She was diagnosed with lung cancer last December after being in hospital for 4 weeks with severe copd flare up. Because of a long history of copd and her lungs being badly damaged, they decided against further tests. After quite a few more flare ups and hospital admissions she made it clear she didn't want to go to hospital again and be treated at home. Her mobility declined quite rapidly in the last 6 months and following lots of falls over a 3 week period, the gp and district nurses suggested she now was catheterized and nurses from bed. She has been there 3 weeks now, I stay on the sofa as I wouldn't hear her ftom upstairs if she needed me ( her tumor has also paralysed her laryngeal nerve so she hasn't much of a voice,  just a whisper really, and struggles to cough). Her only pain is fron an advanced pressure ulcer on her spine, she's been getting that taken care of for over 6 months now but it's pretty nasty. She takes zomorph and oromorph. I would say she is sleeping 70% of the time and just stares off somewhere when she is awake, she folds and unfolds her handkerchief constantly too when she is awake. She is still eating and drinking but only a few mouthfuls. Her mouth is very sore at the minute, full of ulcers. 

    Sorry for jumping on your post but you asked what I was wondering too, one of the nurses told me last week that it can "drag on a bit" with copd and lung cancer. It's so sad . 

    Take care of yourself as well as him xx

  • Offline in reply to Carole2311

    I'm sorry to hear you're going through something similar. It's so hard watching a loved one's health get worse and worse but not knowing what is next or how long they'll suffer for. It's such a difficult question to ask, both because it's sad and because there really is no one answer.

    I understand how you feel, we're not alone xx

  • Offline in reply to nancyelizabeth

    You are right, we are not alone - this forum is testament to that. It just helps to know somebody understands what you are going through and how you feel. I could honestly just sit here and cry the only saving grace is that she doesn't seem to be suffering. Thinking of you and your dad  thanks for the reply x

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