Leef,

I am sorry about what is happening with you and your family.

The unfortunate truth is that the NHS actually is quite sad, and it is all we have. I would create a scene until you do get what you need. Sometimes that is all that will work. I am sorry about this.

Please do make sure you speak to your dad's GP and treatment team. Please make sure you get the advice you need. Maybe the nurses team here could also advise you.

I wish you and your family the best. Things will work out.

Hello.

My family and I have had exactly the same issues as yourself. My dad was also diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer 6 weeks ago.  He spent 3 weeks in hospital having endless tests. And sent home without any care plan in place. We were all shocked. I have had to do endless ringing around to the Gp, lung cancer specialists, social services etc. Which was so hard as it's a very emotional time for us all. And was something family members should not have to do.

We now have macmillan nurses and a district nurse visiting and hope to get carers as mum is elderly and we need the help. 

Our family were shocked with the lack of help. 

I do hope your situation has improved and know exactly what you're going through. Thinking of you and your family. 

Mum is going to send the details to our local MP as no-one should have to go through this treatment at this difficult time

Its almost like they know they cant treat it so they just want to wash their hands of the patients and leave them and the families to their own devices. totally shocking.

How can doctors do that especially with the patients having cancer. My uncle too had lung cancer few years ago and he was undergoing treatment for radiotherapy.

We've just had the doctor out today and they havent given us some of the treatment to strenghen his bones and they havent revised his steriod treatment. My cats would get better treatment than my dad has been receiving.

It's heartbreaking. . We still only have a district nurse visiting twice a week and a macmillan nurse once a week. But we can ring the macmillan nurses at any time.

Sadly my best friend passed away four yrs ago with breast cancer. And I have to say the macmillan nurses were wonderful. 

We were told in the hospital that dad would leave with a care package in place. It didn't happen. . 

Hi libbi,

I must say the district nurse and our family doctors have been brilliant and thank goodness for them as I dont know what we would have done without them.

Its heartbreaking and it makes you so angry that at the time you need help the most that the healthcare professionals that specialise in this disease just seem to wash their hands of it and leave it upto the gp's.

We have got the macmillan nurse visiting tomor and I  want to ask her about pain relief for dad. My friend told me to go through the Gp as her step dad has cancer and everything went by his Gp. Is that what you did?

After meeting with the oncologist and the lung cancer specialist we were told the district nurse/macmillan nurse and gp will all work together and dads care will be fast tracked. Still no care in place. Maybe I need to keep ringing the Gp's surgery and be more blunt.

Dad is getting weaker all the time. So painful to see our parents like this isn't it. And a rollercoaster of emotions for us all 

The macmillian nurses can only give emotional support advice on therapy/counselling etc, as they wont provide care or adminster medication.

The district nurse can only give medication that is prescribed by the gp. 

My advice would be speak with the gp and get them to do a home visit. they can review his medication and change it if needs be.

Its a very emotional rollercoaster and its not made any easier when you get none or very little support from the professional.

My mum is currently at breaking point with it all and is on the verge of a breakdown. its hard for me as i work full time and have 2 small children, I try to give support as much as I can but feel guilty that I can be there all the time and having to chase up and fight for help is making it all the more stressful.

It makes me angry when you go to the hospital and there are people outside smoking, attached to drips and getting all the care and attention they need and the people that really need help are abandoned like a stray animal.