Symptoms - sickness

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Evening, on 21 February my dad was taken into hospital with a suspected stroke.  Dad has never been ill before.  It hit us hard to discover he was diagnosed with having tumours in his brain, lung, liver and in his bones which is not curable. He is very positive and is putting everything into place to look after my mum as he has been her carer for years and says he has no fear of dying.  The biopsy results were received later today and as expected it is cancer and the MDT will discuss tomorrow if any treatment can be given so as of yet he has not had any treatment.

Today when my dad woke he was in extreme pain across his shoulders and neck, he went very grey in colour and was not talking, I could then hear my dad being sick in the toilet , which he later.said was just like brown bile.  He has been sick numerous time.  Our local macmillan team advised to call 999 incase it was sepsis.or an infection.  The paramedics assessed dad, his blood pressure was high but said no signs if infection and my dad was feeling a little better.   My dad had not eaten anything today at this point (2pm) but then manage to eat 2 slices of toast.  That is all he has had today. After they left my dad went down hill again.  He is very tired, his voice sounds very hoarse and sore but he said it is not sore, he is not talking and sleeping alot.  Is this normal?  What do I need to look out for.  

We are very new to this as have been lucky that noone has been really ill or have any terminal illnesses before.  Would really appreciate your advice.

  • Dear 0803Kelly,

    Thanks for getting in touch and welcome to the Online Community. I’m Heidi one of the Cancer Information Nurses here on the Macmillan Support Line.

    I can see you have found our lung cancer forum and I hope that you are finding it supportive.

    I am sorry to hear about dad’s diagnosis and I can appreciate that this must feel overwhelming, particularly as up until this point he had never been ill.

    We need to let you know that because you've mentioned a new or worsening symptom, we would always recommend that you contact a doctor, your dad’s hospital team or NHS 111 to talk about that with them today, as we don't have access to your dad’s medical records.

    Please don’t hesitate to call 999 again if you are concerned or if dad’s symptoms deteriorate again.

    You mentioned that you dad has vomited brown bile today. A complication of advanced cancer can sometimes be a blocked bowel or bowel obstruction. This means that waste from digested food can’t get past the blockage.

     The symptoms include:

    • feeling bloated and full
    • pain (usually colicky tummy pain)
    • feeling sick
    • vomiting large amounts (including undigested food or bowel fluid) constipation (shown by not passing wind and no bowel sounds)

    It might be worth considering if dad has had any problems with constipation recently, and when he last had his bowels open. Sometimes certain medications can cause constipation too, so it is important to have this assessed and ruled out.

    If he is struggling to eat or take fluids, then he may feel weaker and be at risk of dehydration. A dietician can support dad with his nutrition if this is something you are concerned about, his GP or specialist team would be able to refer.  

    There could be a number of things that could be causing or contributing to dad’s symptoms, please do get them assessed urgently today. It is important to keep him safe.

    Sometimes it helps to talk things through so please don’t hesitate to call and speak to one of the nurses on 0808 808 0000, we are here everyday from 8am to 8pm.

    We would love to support you more so please don’t hesitate to get in touch again.

    Best wishes and take care. 

    Heidi

    Cancer Information Nurse Specialist 

    You can also speak with the Macmillan Support Line team of experts. Phone free on 0808 808 0000 (7 days a week, 8am-8pm) or email us. 

    Ref/DW/HC