Hi,
I’m new here and bit nervous. I’m looking for advice on how to help my parents. My dad has terminal lung cancer but being treated. He has an infection in the tumour and has just been in hospital for treatment for that. This has meant immunotherapy is being delayed. He came home yesterday. But it was a pretty traumatic stay in hospital. He had never been in hospital until this (he is 74) and the person in the bed next to him sadly died whilst in there. He had been very vocal and poorly for 2 days so there was no escaping it for the rest of the patients in the bay. Awful for everyone.
Before this he was still working 3 days a week and I know he will want to get back to that. Reality is he really isn’t well enough. I don’t know how to help him and build him back up. He has taken to his bed. This is anything but what my dad is like. Any advice on how to help him get better emotionally, mentally or physically would be helpful.
They aren’t keen to receive outside help
Hi Nattat
Welcome to our community, I hope you find it both informative and supportive.
Sorry to hear about your dad, though a first time in hospital at 74 seems really impressive to me though I do know how difficult a hospital stay can me. One thing with my wife is I really know she is bad when she actually wants to go to the hospital.
I know when Janice came out the gave her a lot of the ensure drinks to help build her up and her challenge at one point was she wanted to climb the stairs to get back to her bed. Perhaps little steps might help.
I would expect your dad's employer would want him to have a refereal to occupational health if he was to return, while there key aim would be to allow him to work if he can they can also suggest retirement if unfit.
You might also like to ring the helpline here 0808 808 0000 - it is open 8am to 8pm 7 days a week and they may have other suggestions that could help support you.
<<hugs>>
Steve
