Stage 4 Lung Cancer

Hi 7890,

My name is Amy and I am one of the Cancer Information Nurse Specialists on the Macmillan Support Line. Welcome to our online community and thanks for posting your question. I can see you have joined a couple of the forums - I hope you are finding them helpful and supportive.

We’re sorry to hear you are worried that mum is sleeping most of the day, only managing up to the toilet and back. It’s natural to worry about these changes.

It’s tricky to say what this means. Fear can be a very valid reason for being reluctant to move more, especially if it’s causing pain or breathlessness on movement and is better when resting. It can also be due to low mood and coping with difficult feelings.

After radiotherapy, even if it’s just a couple of sessions, people can feel increasingly tired and even feel some aches and pains. So, these changes may well be more treatment related that should hopefully improve in a few weeks.

These symptoms can also be signs of advanced cancer in general, and you may find Mum doesn’t improve greatly from where she is now.

It’s best to discuss any concerns you have with your mum’s consultant or specialist nurse so they can help support and manage these symptoms and explain what could be causing them.

We often find we can help more by exploring these questions over the phone. If this is something you think would help, then please don’t hesitate to get in touch via our support line on 0808 808 0000. We are available 7 days a week, 8am-8pm. Or you can use our live chat by clicking the green ‘chat with us’ bubble on the bottom of this page.

Supporting a loved one can be rewarding and exhausting. It’s important you are looking after yourself and remember we are here to support you too.

I hope this helps.

Best wishes, 

Amy C, 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. 

Ref: AC/DW

It has been really helpful thank you.