just recently found out dad have metastatic lung cancer

my dad has suffered with copd for around 5 years unfortunately he carried on smoking which i believe the reason for this cancer to spread im unsure whether its spread but from what ive been told and seen on his doctors notes it has spread to his neck. his wearing a neck brace. trying to spend as much time as possible with him but really sturggling lately. at work ive just broke down in tears for no apparent reason im so scared and worried. im planning on getting a therapist as im all over the place. i feel like going to work is taking my mind off things but im not mentally stable and im in charge of nearly 100 people at work and ive had a few comments with people saying i dont seem or look right which hurts. as for my dad i dont know what to do sorry to write so much im only 27 just got my own house and also have a 3 year old who loves him dearly and is always asking to call him and has commented on his illness without us telling her 

 

thanks Russell

  • Hi Russell, I am so sorry to read this. My Dad was also diagnosed recently- it's a huge shock and the fear of what's to come is huge- I understand. Of course you will be overwhelmed- and managing 100 people at work is a lot. You must speak to someone senior and take a bit of compassionate leave - which you should be intitled too. This is so important. You need to process this. And I know it is a lot at your young age and With a little one who loves her grandfather- but you need to be positive and strong. Aware not much to feel positive about but try and enjoy time together with him- talk about other things- play a game.... Great that you are reaching out to a therapist. I also feel it could be good to tell some of the team you manage- you will find  support and they will (I hope) be understanding and perhaps eliviate some of your work pressure - and I am sure a few others may have had close ones who have suffered too. 
    sending love and strength 

  • Hi everyone just thought it might be a good idea to update you all on my dads situation. Unfortunately it isn't good news  my dad sadly passed away last Friday. I my self have experienced a roller coaster of emotions. 
    dad started his radio therapy for the cancer that spread to his neck and after his second session I believe his body gave up. We all didn't like the idea of him having radio therapy but it's something he wanted to do. I received a call from my mum on the 6th of august telling me she had to call a ambulance for my dad as when he exited the transport vehicle which took him to his appointments he sat out the house in the pouring rain and wouldn't come inside. Mum finally got him inside and unfortunately he was extremely delirious and confused and wet himself. That's when mum spoke to the Mac millian nurse who after briefly speaking to my dad advised mum to call the ambulance. Dad was taken of to hospital. He FaceTimed me when he first arrived and I see for my self something wasn't right. I received a miss call at 3:40am from my dad which i couldn't answer as I was asleep as I have to get up at 5am for work. The next morning I gave his iPad a call and I presume the nurses answered it and gave him the iPad he didn't seem right and wasn't making sense the nurses was washing him at this point. I won't drag on for to much longer just feel like I need to get this out. For the next 6 days mum was the only one allowed to see dad due to COVID which broke my heart as the day before my dad passed he woke up from being sedated luckily this was while my mum was visiting him and me my brother and sister was able to speak with him. He told us he needed us there and I hope he understood that we couldn't. The following day mum received a call at 9am telling her she needs to get to the hospital ASAP as they believed today was the day. I'm so grateful the hospital allowed me my brother and sister in with abit of convincing and you could say pleading with them they allowed us in to be with him in his final hours dad passed peacefully and I believe he knew we was there as he kept lifting his hands up slightly. Thank you for reading 

  • Hi Russ.

    I'm so sorry you've had a really rotten time of it lately. 
    I had a very similar situation with my Mam and her lung cancer diagnosis and passing 3years ago.'

    My mam passed away 7weeks after diagnosis Aged just 66. Then dad passed away just 8weeks ago of cancer too. 
    The body sometimes knows when it's and enough. 

    Death of a parent is awful, especially hard in Covid times when you can't go and visit.  
    Organising things for funeral keeps brain busy but often hits home after. Everyone deals with loss in different ways abs be sure to take some time off work to sit and reflect, laugh , cry and remember the good times you've shared with your Dad. 
    People may often hide away from asking you if your ok, as they find it awkward. 
    It's ok not to be ok. I was asked are you back to normal now?  Life is never "normal" you just find it's a new normal.

    Take some time grieve. Spend time with your Mam and and Daughter I bet she's misses him too. 
    I hope your mams doing as ok as can be expected. 
    Thinking of you and your family X

    Efffie x