Hi my father has terminal lung cancer. His oxygen stats are in the 80,s and his oxygen machine has been turned upto 3. He doesn't eat more than a few spoons of soup a day and hardly sleeps at all 3 to 4 hours in the past 36 hours.My question is how long can this go on for it's awful to watch him suffer like this. Many thanks
Thanks for getting in touch and a warm welcome to the Online Community. I’m Heidi one of the Cancer Information Nurses here on the Macmillan Support Line.
I can see that you have joined our Macmillan Cancer Support Lung cancer forum, Carers only forum and Cancer chat forum and I hope that you are finding them supportive.
Hi Pike,
I am sorry to hear that your father has terminal lung cancer, and it is completely understandable that you are concerned he may be suffering.
Firstly, we would always advise that if you are concerned about his symptoms, or you feel he has any new or worsening symptoms, that you contact your father’s GP, NHS 111, or his specialist team to be assessed urgently today.
It is important that his oxygen saturation levels are appropriate for him, and low oxygen levels are not contributing to his symptoms.
He must be feeling exhausted with so little sleep, and his symptoms may be impacting on his appetite, but this should be assessed.
Sometimes when cancer advances our appetite changes and our bodies simply cannot process food in the same way, meaning we become less interested in food. This can be tough for families as we naturally want to make sure our loved ones are eating plenty. It is important that this is assessed to ensure you have the confidence to know whether this can be improved, or whether offering little and often to your father’s comfort is the right thing to do.
When someone has advanced cancer there are different key services that can support both your father and you. One of these services is the community palliative care team who are experts in symptom management, but can also provide and organise emotional and practical support for you both.
It might help to talk to your father’s GP about referrals for support in the community.
You sound like an amazing support to your father but dealing with cancer can be a very emotional time and you might find it helpful to read our web pages about emotional support. It is important that you look after you too.
Sometimes it helps to talk things through so please don’t hesitate to contact us on 0808 808 0000, we are here every day from 8am to 8pm.
With very best wishes
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/ KM/HC
