My name is Clint and I was diagnosed with the notoriously terminal glioblastoma in October 2025. My surgery and treatment are complete and we are monitoring for the inevitable recurrence.
I am especially interested in understanding other peoples' experience of the journey of the final (terminal) year. What actually happens? Is pain adequately treated, for example?
Hi Diamondac26
A good friend of mine died from a GBM a few years ago. He initially had debulking surgery, that wasn’t able to completely remove the tumour due to its location. He then had a course of chemo radiation, but the tumour had by then started to regrow. Over his final few months he started to have some balance issues and then lost most of his peripheral vision on one side. I assume these sorts of impacts are entirely dependent on the location of the tumour and the functions controlled by those areas of the brain. He didn’t particularly suffer with pain. He had a peaceful death. He was taken into hospital in the last few days, which was something he had hoped to avoid, but essentially stayed at home with some mobility aids until that point.
I have had a relative die of metastatic pancreatic cancer and another friend die of metastatic oesophageal cancer. Both their last few weeks were more challenging whereas my friend with GBM essentially just slipped away. I don’t think any major pain relief was needed.
I hope this helps. I am sorry you are facing this.
Macmillan Support Line - 0808 808 00 00, 7 days a week between 8am-8pm
I am a Macmillan volunteer.
I have metastatic Triple Negative Breast Cancer, in remission
I am sorry for upsetting people with the mention of what happened to my brother in law and friend with pancreatic and oesophageal cancer respectively. I have modified my language a bit as it was unnecessary to provide detail. I don’t know that their stories are universal but it is sadly the case that palliative care doesn’t fully resolve the problem for all people.
Macmillan Support Line - 0808 808 00 00, 7 days a week between 8am-8pm
I am a Macmillan volunteer.
I have metastatic Triple Negative Breast Cancer, in remission
I just wanted to add, that everyone’s death is different, the same as everyone’s birth. You listen to any mother telling you about her child’s birth, and no 2 stories are the same. I have lost many a family member through cancer, and they have all differed. Getting support through the hospice, for therapy to prepare you for death, is the most positive thing you can do.
have a look at the link above which will give you some idea. They offer complimentary therapies to help people live as well as spiritual therapy to help you emotionally. I have used my local hospice for physiotherapy, and whilst I was there I saw groups of people meeting up for art classes, quizzes etc but that gave people the opportunity to meet others who were also living with a terminal illness.
