Hi
My dad is incurable non Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Chemo wasn’t successful last year and the tumour returned aggressively with 2 weeks of treatment finishing in December and we were told they can’t cure it. He has been on chemo tablet form since then, but as he had a large tumour on his neck which was becoming uncomfortable they have him a single radiotherapy treatment 8 weeks ago. Up to that point he was active, eating, sleeping fine and it was hard to comprehend the diagnosis he had been given.
Since then he has deteriorated, the tumour on his neck blistered and got infected and causes him a lot of pain. He is now on antibiotics, and daily morphine slow release tablets as well as liquid for when pain is worse. He has become very breathless and unsteady too in the last couple of weeks.
When he was given the prognosis they said he had months, and suggested he should ‘get his affairs in order’ but since then we don’t really know where we are at, he doesn’t ask at his check ups and because we can’t go in with him due to COVID restrictions we can’t speak to the consultant either. I am struggling to cope with not knowing how long I have left with my dad, is it weeks or months, i just don’t know. Is this progression normal and does it signal that things are changing quite quickly?
Hi and welcome to the Online Community, although I am sorry to see you finding us and so sorry to hear about your dad’s diagnosis.
An incredible cancer diagnosis brings a lot of confusion, stress and many questions but talking with people who are on the same type of journey helps a lot.
The Community has many dedicated support groups so can I direct you to our supportive Carers only, Family and friends and Supporting someone with incurable cancer groups. These are good places to connect with others supporting family through their cancer journey.
Follow the links I've created above, join the groups, then hit ‘start a discussion’ and you are ready to go.
You could then copy and paste the information from this first post into your new discussion or you can just join in with existing ‘Discussions’ by clicking on 'reply'.
Can I also highlight our various Macmillan Support Line Services on 0808 808 00 00. This service covers Emotional Support, Practical Information. Clinical Information and Financial Support mostly open 8.00 to 8.00 but check the link but you may find the service very busy at the moment.
All the very best ((hugs))
