My Husband is on his second cycle of chemotherapy for CUP which has spread to bones and lungs. He is struggling terrible with side effects of chemo and the morphine that's been prescribed.
He is not eating and so low in mood i am managing to get complan shakes into him but not much else.
I feel like crying all the time having to watch my 6ft 2 stong husband who did everything turn into a shell of himself who just lays there all day long.
I am on my own dealing with this as both of my children are away studying and also have my mother who is in 80s and in poor health and lives 15 miles from me who needs all her meals cooking and preparing in advance which is difficult when the cooking smells upset my husband.
I feel like i canot win which ever way i turn.
We are hoing to contact the palative care team as i think the morphine is not agreeing with him .
Soryy for ranting
So sorry to hear what you are going through and trying to balance everything. I know it’s soul destroying to watch our loved ones struggle with what was once so easy. My husband also had a poor reaction to oral morphine, we were initially told he would adjust but after a few days of bad side effects we stopped and asked for something else. Our palliative nurse was great and prescribed an alternative (oxycodone)and the change in just 24 hours was so welcome. The palliative team have made such a difference.
Just try to take one day or one task at a time and don’t beat yourself up for the things you cannot do. Xx
Thankyou for your reply.
I didn't read this as a 'rant'. You've got a lot on your plate. I hope you have found some way forward, even if it's just small moments of time for yourself where you are not having to minister to the needs of either your husband or your mother. Everyone needs such moments, whether it's a regular walk in the fresh air or periods of silence and space just looking out of the window at what nature is getting up to. You are entitled to let off steam a bit, given what you are dealing with.
You are not ranting you are human and struggling, my husband initially had chemo and morphine after being diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer and cancer in the spine, he was so thin and tired and it's agony to watch and still function. He was given 6 months if the treatment failed but luckily they put him on immunotherapy and it is working well now and holding everything at bay for the moment, when you need to talk, scream or cry do it, this is an awful time for you and everyone is here for you, take care of you too, that was the best advice I was given xx
Whatever cancer throws your way, we’re right there with you.
We’re here to provide physical, financial and emotional support.
© Macmillan Cancer Support 2025 © Macmillan Cancer Support, registered charity in England and Wales (261017), Scotland (SC039907) and the Isle of Man (604). Also operating in Northern Ireland. A company limited by guarantee, registered in England and Wales company number 2400969. Isle of Man company number 4694F. Registered office: 3rd Floor, Bronze Building, The Forge, 105 Sumner Street, London, SE1 9HZ. VAT no: 668265007