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5 months ago my wife had tumours on her spine - she is home now unable to walk with no real support

Dashy1
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Hi 

About 5 months ago my wife had tumours on her spine,  she was in hospital for 18 days having radiotherapy,  she is home now but not able to walk , she is getting on with exercises and guideness from a cracking coach, he is looking at getting her back on her feet again.

It has been something that has never effected us and never thought it would happen to us.

When she was discharged from hospital and sent home , the authorities must give the same package to everyone,  as we had to change most things,  but unfortunately there is no real support,  as carers come when you don't need them and they are only allowed 30 mins, this is crazy. 

We felt we had been put in a cage with hungry lions, having to find out and get information ourselves,  it really is a sorry state of affairs if you are at home caring for some one , the other concerning thing is the way some nurses and doctors think they have the right to tell someone how long they have left. Everyone is different,  and shouldn't have that flung at them when they are already funerable, empathy goes a long way.

  • Hello Dashy1 and welcome to the forum,

    It's encouraging that your wife has a good coach, though I'm sorry that you feel she hasn't had much support since leaving hospital. It might be worth going back to your wife's medical team to find out if there's support that better suits your needs, if you haven't already. On our website we have some information around support at home for you and your family, including services that might help take the pressure off you as a carer. The charity Carers UK has some great practical advice on all aspects of caring including a page to find support where you live. We also have a cancer nurse helpline if you'd like to speak to a nurse about your wife's treatment. You can call them for free on 0808 800 4040 and lines are open 9 to 5 Monday to Friday.

    I hope this is helpful in some way,

    Moderator Anastasia

  • Offline in reply to Moderator Anastasia

    Hi Dashy.

    My mum was admitted to hospital with metastatic Spine cancer last July after her original Lung cancer was removed in 2020.

    After her moblility started to go they did give her 1 session of Radiotherapy (for what reason I dont know) and Physio was sent round to her ward, but with spinal cord compression  this was futile - No amount of Physio could help her if your spinal chord is being compressed.

    Iam surprised they woud discharge someone who didnt have the ability to walk, they had hoped to send my mum home in the early weeks of her admission, but it soon became clear we didnt have the facilites to care for her outside of the hospital.

    Thoughts are with you at this difficult time 

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