Hi,
I found out that my dad had been diagnosed with terminal bowel cancer in June 2020. This then developed into the liver and he was told he only had 6 months to live. However, he managed to last around those two years up until now going through several operations and 29 rounds of chemotherapy. I’ve just been told that there’s nothing more that can be done and treatment isn’t working. So he’s going to die. He doesn’t want to know how long he has so it’s just a waiting game. Any advice from any past experience how to deal with this?
Hi, I can't offer advice from finishing an experience like that but I can say I'm going through something similar and trying to work things out. My dad is also terminal with primary lung cancer which has spread to many places in his body and currently in a position where he can't eat now and is on a liquid diet. All I can say is you're a strong person to still be managing now. All you can do is take each day as it comes, there's no knowing when it will happen so my advice is try to forget about when it may happen and just live for the day. I find that meditation helps and breathing techniques. The other thing is make sure you have a support network and people you can talk to on low days. It's hard to keep going but you will find the strength.
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