Terminal diagnosis

Hi , been stalling writing anything as im quite unsure how to compose my introduction , i am here for my dad who has just been diagnosed with terminal cancer of the small intestine, liver,  kidney,  spline and lymph nodes , we got him to a&e 9 days ago as he had previously been doxtors several times over a course of 5 weeks until we took it upon ourselves to call an ambulance. My dad had been poorly with a tummy bug? After returning from a holiday 3 months ago , over that time he was troubled with abdo pain constipation and then immediate weight loss which seemed to happen so quick, it's like he was shrinking , a stone and half had been shed , so i kept asking him to see a doctor but he tried home remedies and perservered then gave in , the doctors sent for blood test which showed low function kidney so arranged a scan which showed emlarged prostate, also a high blood pressure so he was prescribed meds for prostate and blood pressure.  He got more poorly as the tablet intake continued so went back to the doctor a week later theybsaid its side effects unfortunately and a few more weeks should see them subside , so he listened with trust and tried to carry on , 5 weeks on these tablets ruined him , on the 4th week i asked them to review the tablets,  theu prescribed him them again and done some one and said to go home and carry on with meds,  a week on he was collapsed in the night and  so weak and deleriuos so we called an ambulance, they confirmed the start of sepsis,  then 3 days later after scans .. they had to wait as kidneys were so low the tablets had battered them , docs words !.. but then that c word was confirmed,  it's everywhere,  and I feel that he has been so cheated by the gp surgery for not picking anything else up and sending him.home to suffer,  he has just retired and then he is faced with this , i feel useless and helpless and wonder how on earth so many of you cope , i admire you all !

  • Hiya, 

    im really sorry to hear about your dad and everything you all have been through in the last few weeks. I’m not a professional so I don’t know if this was something that would be deemed missable by doctors but it does surprise me that they did miss it. I think I would feel the same as you do toward the doctors and want answers if I’m honest. 

     A terminal diagnosis is so hard to cope with and I understand how you feel as I’ve been in the same position with a couple of my family members. It is very frustrating when you feel you can’t do anything to help but I assure you the fact that you are there for him, caring for him, spending time with him and loving him will mean the world to him. It will take a while for all this to sink in if it hasn’t already, everyone is different and there is no right or wrong way to cope with it. Remember though your not alone, it is so difficult caring for someone close to you with a diagnosis such as this, the fact that you are there for him, to support him through is amazing and you are so strong to do that, just don’t forget you need support too so look to family, friends and us, we’re always here for a chat. Try and keep smiling as much as you can, I know it’s hard but we’re here for you if you need us. 

    Bex x 

  • Hi there and welcome to our little chat room ..

    Firstly, you must be feeling so angry at what your dad has been through .. now you will never know if an earlier screening would have helped .. it's left me dumbfounded. . 

    I've been looking into things to help once a terminal diagnosis is given ... and looked on Marrie Currie  web page .. they are there for this diagnosis, and they said they will help all carers / family after .. please look on their page, write down any questions you have regarding what help they can offer you in the comming months .. they will help as well getting benifits if you need it.. there is a fast track they will advise you on .. I'm also trying to find out more on that as well ...

    Writting things down first, helps you not miss things .. and write their answers down too as that tends to go over your head .. get those things in place .. then find out about the complaints procedure and log all the failings you've had .. it may not help your dad now, but hopefully could save someone else ...

    Please let me know how you get on with Marrie Currie. . As I'm trying to see what advice they give, which may help someone else on here ... this is going to be a really tough road to walk, but hold on to each other, share the load, and it's o.k to admit it's scary, and share tears .. but people do push their boundaries. . So take every day to make memories .. cancer wants us to brake, and fall down, and wait... well I for one am taking every day and doing things ... cancer can hurt our bodies, but not change who we are .. we may not win, but kicking it's butt right along this journey we find our selfs on, really helps ..

    Sending you all a big hug ... Chrissie x