My mum has been diagnosed with terminal cervical cancer she has just finished 5 days if radiotherapy she hasn't eaten for 3 days and isn't sleeping periods of incoherentcy and snapping at my dad they are both 78 and he doesn't know what to do Please help
Hi Andyd123af8291,
Thanks for getting in touch. My name is Jo and I’m one of the Cancer Information Nurses on the Macmillan Support Line.
I am sorry to hear that your mum has terminal cervical cancer and is now experiencing concerning symptoms after finishing radiotherapy treatment. It is understandable that your dad doesn’t know what to do and needs help. This sounds like a difficult time for you all.
Unfortunately, as we are not part of the NHS here on the Macmillan support line, we don’t have access to your mum’s medical records. It would therefore not be possible for us to give specific advice about the symptoms she is currently experiencing.
I wonder whether you have spoken to your mum’s hospital team about your concerns. If not, it would be advisable to do so. They are best placed to offer specific advice and support as they are familiar with your mum’s cancer diagnosis and treatment and have access to her medical records. If she has a nurse specialist within her team, then you could give them a call in the first instance.
Alternatively, as you suggest your mum hasn’t eaten for three days and is having periods of incoherence, an urgent medical assessment may be needed.
If it hasn’t been done already, you could also request a referral to the community palliative care team. They are experienced in assessing and managing symptoms, as well as providing emotional support to the whole family. Your mum’s GP or hospital team will be able to arrange this.
Here is some general advice about managing eating problems, trouble sleeping and dealing with emotions that you might also find helpful.
It can be challenging supporting someone close to you with advanced cancer, so it’s important that you don’t feel alone in dealing with this. There are a number of ways that we here at Macmillan can offer help and support to both you and your parents so do please get back in touch.
There is further information and support available through our online community, especially the supporting someone with incurable cancer forum.
If you have any further questions, please don’t hesitate to get back in touch. You can speak with the Macmillan Support Line on 0808 808 0000 (7 days a week, 8am-8pm) or email us.
I hope this information is helpful.
Best wishes,
Jo
Cancer Information Nurse Specialist
Ref: JD/SB
