Metastatic Brain Cancer

Hi Audrey D,

Thanks for reaching out to us and a warm welcome to our online community. My name is Suzanne and I am one of the cancer information nurse specialists here at Macmillan.

It sounds as though you and your dad are coping with a lot of challenges as his cancer advances, and it is understandable that you want to prepare as much as possible for what is ahead.

Unfortunately, it can be difficult to predict how things will be in future, as each situation can be very different.  Brain metastases can affect people in several different ways, such as causing seizures, as you have experienced. However, this information from the Brain Tumour Charity may help to give you some insight into the possible ways that your dads brain metastases may affect him.

Although he is no longer receiving curative treatment for his cancers, he may still be able to have treatment to control the symptoms of his advancing cancer and maximise his quality of life.

The team who can help to manage his symptoms and general wellbeing, as well as support you, are called the Palliative Care Team. It’s important for you to know that palliative care is not just for the end of life, but also for someone like your dad who is coping with the effects of an advanced cancer.

There are palliative care teams in the community who can support you both from home. Often these teams are based in a local hospice or community palliative care hub and they work closely with GP’s and district nurses.

Your dad’s GP should be able to refer him to his local team for support, or you may possibly be able to self-refer. This link to Hospice UK will allow you to search for any local hospice that may have a community palliative care team. Hospices can also sometimes provide hands on care at home, or an inpatient bed if symptoms become overwhelming, or towards end of life. In doing this they can hopefully try and keep your dad out of hospital if possible.

The other thing that you may wish to consider, if you haven’t already, is advance care planning with your dad so he is able to make sure his wishes are known. It can be an emotional thing to talk about the future, but often it can help to make sure preferences are noted and considered by any professionals involved in someone’s care.

Looking after a loved one can be very demanding both physically and emotionally so it’s important to take time to look after yourself too Audrey. These resources from a cancer wellbeing organisation called Penny Brohn may help both you and your dad to maximise your quality of life in the time ahead.  

As you mention that you have stopped working at the moment to care for your dad, it may also help to have a look at this information from Carer’s UK about your rights during this time. You may also be entitled to carer’s allowance.

It may also help to give us a call on the support line . We are here every day from 8am-8pm and can often support you better over the phone, whether you need to ask specific questions or just need a sounding board or space to offload.

We also have an online community forum for family and friends where you can connect with others in similar circumstances.

I do hope this information helps you in the times ahead. Please do reach out again if we can help you further.

Best wishes and take care,

Suzanne, 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 send us an email.

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