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At home help/ support

Rosesandthornes
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My husband has prostate cancer that has spread to multiple areas. We had a 'good' 6 months where treatment seemed to be working well, he felt well and we could live quite normally. Things have deteriorated fast. He ahd emergency radiotherapy on his spine yesterday. 

He can not feel his legs and is currently on the floor of the living room. I don't have the strength to lift him and so have had to make a 'bed' on the floor for him. My plan is to move a sofa and put a bed in there tomorrow but I really need help to support him at home. We haven't had to navigate needing the toilet just yet. Yesterday he was just about able to get himself to the downstairs loo by dragging and holding on to the walls to keep him steady. That's no way possible today. 

I don't know where to go for help and support for him at home or what my next steps are.

We have a 2yr old and a 14yr old at home. 

  • Dear Roseandthornes,

     

    Thanks for getting in touch with us at what sounds like a very difficult time. I’m Ursula, one of the cancer information nurse specialists.

     

    I’m very sorry to hear that your husband’s prostate cancer has spread to multiple areas and that things have deteriorated fast. It’s understandable to have questions around how and where to access support.

     

    As we do not have access to your husband’s medical records, it is difficult for us to know what has caused this rapid deterioration in his condition. For that reason and given the current circumstances, we would strongly advise you to call 999 now so that he can be urgently assessed and get the correct care and support in place.

     

    These symptoms need to be assessed today to rule out MSCC – Malignant spinal cord compression. This is not to say we think this is what is causing your husband’s deterioration, but it is something that does need to be ruled out.

     

    You are also very welcome to call us on the Macmillan Support Line and speak to one of us about your husband’s particular situation, and his care needs going forward. We often find that it is easier to talk things though over the phone. However, we would say for now to prioritise calling 999 in the first instance.

     

     

    Take care,

    Ursula

    Cancer Information Nurse Specialist

     

    To speak with the Macmillan Support Line team of experts, phone free on 0808 808 0000 (7 days a week, 8am to 8pm) or email us. 

     

    Ref/UH/ KHa 

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