Lung cancer with days to live

Hi 

we discovered last weekend that my dad has small cell lung cancer and due to other health problem ( heart failure etc ) he would not be able to receive any treatment . They told us at the hospital he only had a couple of days left but here we are a week later and he's never looked better and is eating loads . He's had a few days where he has slept all day but mostly he's awake and chatting away. 
 

is this normal ? He doesn't seem like someone who's about to die . Does the fact he's sitting chatting away mean he has longer ? It's confusing especially for the grandkids . 
 

thanks J 

Parents
  • Hi. I'm sorry you too are in this position. I know what you are going through and it's so hard. 
    my sister has the same cancer. Yesterday she was able to eat and chat but last night showed signs of distress. During the night she was very restless and in and out of sleep. Today nurses have said she only has hours left. At 4pm they put a driver in her. She has not woken up. The driver is giving her continuous medication to keep her calm and peaceful. We are shocked to see how quickly she deteriorated as we now sit waiting for her last breath. She is too young to die but she has suffered so much in 6 months that I just want her to pass and be at peace. I hope you can stay strong, but it's hard. And, know so many are with you at this tragic time. I wish you strength and peace.

  • Hi , thank you for your reply . I am so sorry to hear about your sister I hope she is at peace soon. You've answered my question with the reply I really didn't want . At this time I feel like I'm the only one going through this and then I read your situation and remember there's a lot of us out there. It's heart breaking . 
    stay strong , thinking about you 

  •  

    Hi Highlander.

    A very warm welcome to our forum, although I'm so sorry to hear why you've joined us. This is a very harrowing time and we would all like to know how much time we have with our loved ones. Sadly, people are all different and they will go in their own good time. Doctors can give us a prognosis, but this is at best a 'guesstimate' and people can sometimes live way past this projection, whilst others will pass much sooner. Grandkids post is pretty typical and just shows how unpredictable the outcome can be.

    I am not a doctor, but have been through this more often than I care to remember. Nearly each time it has been different. On the whole, you know that there's not long left when the driver is put in. You will also notice that there is a tendency to sleep more, be confused at times and to stop eating or drinking.

    I am so sorry to hear that you are going through this heart break and wish you the strength to see this through.

    Please keep in touch. We are always here for you.

    Kind regards,

    Jolamine xx

Reply
  •  

    Hi Highlander.

    A very warm welcome to our forum, although I'm so sorry to hear why you've joined us. This is a very harrowing time and we would all like to know how much time we have with our loved ones. Sadly, people are all different and they will go in their own good time. Doctors can give us a prognosis, but this is at best a 'guesstimate' and people can sometimes live way past this projection, whilst others will pass much sooner. Grandkids post is pretty typical and just shows how unpredictable the outcome can be.

    I am not a doctor, but have been through this more often than I care to remember. Nearly each time it has been different. On the whole, you know that there's not long left when the driver is put in. You will also notice that there is a tendency to sleep more, be confused at times and to stop eating or drinking.

    I am so sorry to hear that you are going through this heart break and wish you the strength to see this through.

    Please keep in touch. We are always here for you.

    Kind regards,

    Jolamine xx

Children
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