Family member

My Nan was diagnosed on Saturday with bladder cancer and we’ve now been told she’s in the second to final stages of life as it has spread. There is no treatment, she has also caught covid. How long could we potentially expect to have left with her? 

  • Hello T20, I am so sorry for your devastating news.   It really is impossible to predict how long your Nan has got, because cancer is such an unpredictable disease. For example, back in November 2022 I was told that I had a year to live, but I'm still here.  However, you have asked an honest question and you deserve an honest answer.  The second to final stages of life could be anywhere between a few weeks to a few months.  I hope that I have not upset you too much with my honesty........I don't want to cause you any more pain than you are already going through.  I know what it feels like to lose a loved one to this monstrous disease. Very often,  when people want to know how long their loved ones have got left, they will hear a load of sugar-coating, and they will be given false hope.  I remember when I asked my Mother's Oncologist how long my Mother had left, and he waffled on and on and on about statistics and such-like, and in the end I said to him, "Doctor, will you PLEASE just be honest with me.......how long has my Mother got?"  and he replied, "about a week".  She died 3 days later.  It was a huge shock, but I got the honest answer that I wanted and NEEDED to hear.  Once again, I am so sorry for what you and your Nan and the rest of your family are going through.  My thoughts are with you.