Oesophageal cancer - end of life care/what to expect

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Hello all, hoping that I can get support, and offer in return, on our family situation. 

I posted the following in the Ask a Nurse section and had some really good advice (shared here for diagnosis/prognosis context)

Hello, I am hoping for some insight please to help me understand and support a relative in relation to their care.

They have stage 4 oesophageal cancer with local lymph node spread. They are unable to swallow anything, including saliva. Treatment has been declined due to the poor prognosis and level of impact. They are fed by a RIG tube and have been since leaving hospital in mid April (NG tube feed during that time). On diagnosis in mid-May the non-treatment prognosis was c.2-3 months.

In recent days their voice has worsened significantly. We understand from their consultant that worsening is a proxy for tumour progression. Whilst all cases are clearly different, absent further CT scan to monitor progression, to what extent is this worsening a significant step and what are the potential timescales now? As a family we are focused on keeping them comfortable (ironically they are gaining weight since the RIG was installed and bright in themselves) and supported?

Many thanks for any advice that can be offered.

 

I've since asked the following follow up question but been directed here instead as a better place to ask. If anyone has any experience to share I'd be very grateful.

Hello. Writing again in the hope others might have insight or thoughts.

We’re now about 2 months into the original 2-3 month prognosis.  In the last few weeks the voice has significantly deteriorated to a barely audible whisper. There has also been a thickening of saliva and whilst a medication was prescribed it was stopped due to headaches as a side effect.

Yet on the reverse, weight is being maintained via feed tube and activity continues, albeit with increased fatigue in the following day. The local macmillan team have prepared end of life medication in the event of need.

As a family we are really struggling to understand what’s next (and finding it hard to even think that way, it feels callous). We understand the challenge of estimating next steps together with what they are. I guess I’m answering my own question here but would welcome anyone’s thoughts, experiences or simply words of support. 

 

Cheers

  • Hello Mike ( 

    I am Brian one of the Community Champions here at Macmillan. I have just noticed your post has gone unanswered, and although I can't give you the answers myself (I have a different cancer) by me replying your post will be "bumped up" to the top of the page and i hope seen and answered by other members of this group.

    I understand it's a difficult time for you and your emotions are all over the place. I have attached some information regarding end if life (I see the nurse team have left the "just in case medication"). The information is for both you and your relative, and you may find some things a "hard read".

    End of life fact sheet.

    Remember our Support Line on 0808 808 00 00 (8am to 8pm is there for all the family).

    Do feel free to come back, vent if you need to - it's not an easy time for you.

    If i can do anything for you please do reach out to me and I will see if I can help.

    Kind regards - Brian.

    Community Champion badge

    Macmillan Support Line - 0808 808 00 00, 7 days a week between 8am-8pm

    Strength, Courage, Faith, Hope, Defiance, VICTORY.

    I am a Macmillan volunteer.

  • Thank you Brian, that’s really kind and considerate. Really, thank you, all the best

  • Hello… just joined this group and, although we are not quite at the stage you are, I don’t think we are far off. It’s so hard to know what to do when there are no timescales… I am struggling to know how to talk to my ‘patient’ who is my husband and my young adult children, one of whom lives at home and is very aware of the changes taking place. I think I am going to get some counselling so that we can start managing the emotional side of this. It’s been ongoing for the last 16 years and has taken its toll on all of us.

  • It’s so very tough isn’t it. Wishing you all the best in the inevitable tough times ahead