Hi lowlandcow,

I hope that you were able to visit your husband yesterday and if so that it went OK and you were able to get some helpful information from the doctor regarding your questions.

My reply here will boost your post so more people should see it, and if there are others with some useful advice then hopefully they'll be along soon.

I hope that he is able to come home soon and that things go as well as they can - and of course any questions relating to his care do continue to speak to the medical team.

Wishing you all the best,

Ben
Cancer Chat Moderator

Hi Lowlandcow,

I am so glad to hear that you were getting to see your husband yesterday and hope that you were able to accept the change in his health since you last saw him. Was your chat with the doctors of any help? They should be able to contact the people who can provide any equipment you may need. 

Whether or not you'll need a commode will depend upon how much your husband's mobility has changed. The doctors should be able to tell you this. They should also be able to arrange any build up drinks or puddings if he is not eating much.

I do hope that you manage to get him home soon and I'm pretty sure that he will be as happy to be home again, as you are to have him home. You are facing a very tough time. My thoughts and prayers are with you both. We are always here for you.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Hi there 

We seem to be in a similar situation 

My hubby currently in the local hospice (2nd night) to get his breathing and meds sorted. He's at the end of an 18 month lung cancer journey

Today the hospice said I can speak to their social team and occupational health team to work out what is needed and for them to visit house to get an idea etc     You should get similar before discharge,  and I would argue all that needs to be in place before you get your loved one home 

Good luck to you both  x

The hospital visit was useful, stayed for two hours, he was awake the whole time and wasn't as bad I had feared. While I was there, one of their specialist nurses who deal with eating & drinking issues came round - he even politely but firmly told her that part of the problem is the taste of the food and he would be better eating at home, having what he likes and when he wants it. :laugh: Special food does not seem to be required (for now).

The main hold-up is the hospital arranging for carers, hopefully sorted early next week.

The hospital delivered a fancy bed yesterday and a commode. I had a phone call from the hospital's occupational therapist in the afternoon. By that time I had already added drinking cups with lid and urine bottles to my shopping list.

After the OT had gone down her checklist she concluded there wasn't anything else she had to add. It really got to me when she said I should also keep doing things that I enjoy doing - well, that used to be travelling and Scottish Dancing, neither is possible for now.

By the way, does anybody else get p***ed off with the "professionally compassionate style" of speaking? 

Oh I so get the way they speak sometimes 

"You did really well with your dinner didn't you? Well done!"    Really, he's 59, has all his faculties,  but lungs are a disaster so he's tired......  thats all!!

Anyway   glad you got the bed etc delivered.  We're going to need it if he gets home,  which we're hoping. But who knows 

Must dash, he wants a bed bath/wash today but wants me to do it not the nurses (defeats the object of me resting but...) 

so best get over there

Xx

HI,

first time post here. Really please to hear that your hubby is coming home (everything is crossed).  My mum was "fast tracked end of life" on Friday so should be home will us tomorrow. They were super quick with the delivery of the bed.

Other things they ordered were slide sheets, a noisy (but essential) air mattress and a bed pan. Dont know if these may be useful for you.

H x