counselling, or lack of

Intested to see the earlier blog asking about counselling. In this part of the Midlands, none is available. Our GPs are very supportive, but we really don't like bothering them unless there is a medical reason. Even though they show genuine concern , they can only offer sleeping tablets and anti-depressants. The local cuncil run carers association is only concernd with helping carers get benefits. I did ask at the local hospce, but nothing there either. On the subject of the hospice, unbeknown to us, the oncology department of the local hospital notified the hospice of G's condition, then out of the blue came a telephone asking to speak to him. He was in hospital overnight having chemo, so I asked what they wanted, and took the opportunity to enquire what help would be available to me in the later stages of his illness. I was horified to be told that the specialist lung nurse and community services have regular case meetings, and it had already been decided that G would be home nursed. i explained that our family live many miles away, and that I am not in the best of health. That made no difference. I was told that in these circumstances families usually rally round! How can they do this over hundreds of miles when they have family and business commitments? A nurse has rung twice since asking to make an appointment to see G. When I asked why, she told me that she needed to talk about how we can arrange facilities here for home nursing, and when on to talk about us buying a special bed, and getting a comode. I told her that as G was responding well to chemo, that particular discussion was a long way off. He has too much living to do to contemplate how he will spend his last days. I had expected a much more sensitive approach from a hospice nurse. It seems that in this area, cancer care is provided by the hospice, and there is no access to MacMillan nurses. Conselling, it's enough to make you turn to drink!