Just over a week ago my dad was diagnosed with liver cancer, and told there is nothing that can be done. He has been referred for palliative care.
The news was a shock. How can this reach such a point so quickly? A few weeks ago he complained of stomach pains and thought it might be an ulcer. He has had liver problems in the past. Successfully treated I thought. It turns out that wasn't the case - there was no cure before, only a delay. His skin quickly turned yellow and his GP surgery referred him to hospital. The hospital took the referral then denied knowledge of it when he turned up there! They tested him anyway and a few days later he went back for the results. To the bad news: cancer. He has only weeks/months to live.
My mum will be his carer. She understands palliative care, having worked at their local hospice before retirement. I don't have a clue; I really want to support them both, but have no idea what to expect over the coming weeks. In the last week alone he has deteriorated quite a bit, it's scary. He was sat in the garden yesterday lunchtime, I went to say hello and was stunned by how thin he's getting already and how yellow his eyes were. Without thinking I commented on the eyes - a stupid thing to do really! I don't really know what the right thing to say or do is at the moment. It's difficult to know how to act or even how to feel...
