My husband has terminal duodenal cancer. He is at home as per his request and being nursed in bed by me, on various drugs via a syringe driver for his comfort. He has been agitated but is now just sleeping, not eating or drinking n seems to get smaller n frailer everyday. The palliative care team are brilliant n very kind n the district nurses come everyday to change to refill the drugs n are very supportive, but how long can this continue? It’s heartbreaking n exhausting. Thanks for any advice.
My hubby was on a syringe driver as soon as he was diagnosed with oesophagus cancer last August as he was unable to swallow tablets. He only had about 2weeks break from it when he had a stent fitted but the stent slipped & he went back onto the driver & stayed on it untill he passed away 3 months later. The palliative nurse increased his dose of morphine & it kept getting increased..he was also had top ups of oramorph hourly i & liquid paracetamol if needed. The district nurses were fantastic always arrived before the driver run out..that changed when he ended up back in hospital..they were forever letting the morphine rum out & he didnt get his hourly oramorph.or paracetamol. Try & keep him at home for as long as you can under the care of the district nurses as he wont get the same quality of care in hospital. If you havent got a palliative nurse ask to be referred. They will come to your home & they can tweak his meds if needed & also get you aids to help keep him comfortable whilst he is at home.
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