My dad was diagnosed with secondary cancer at the end of November (spread badly to his spine) he had surgery to support his spine in December and started radiation therapy last week. We haven’t really had much more info from anyone and like, who do I ask?? He is in horrific pain & is popping morphine like there is no tomorrow but still suffering significantly it’s heartbreaking to see. Mum is absolutely in denial thinking 5 days of radiation is going to give him 10 years but realistically I am thinking weeks. Who can tell me? I need to brace emotionally, to support my dad mainly and also my mum. I feel after the surgery on his back he was just put home & forgotton and he doesn’t like to cause a fuss.
He deserves a fuss.
How do I help. What can I do to get support for him and my mum? Emotional probably more than anything else. Just answers, advice, anything please
Hi Kaybee2 and a warm welcome to the Macmillan Community but so sorry to hear about your dad. This is a challenging time for all the family.
During treatment it’s the Consultant or Cancer Specialist Nurse (CNS) (if he was assigned one) for the department that referred him for the Radiotherapy that you should be talking with……. Was it Oncology he was seen by?
He must have some letters etc with all this information…. banes, telephone numbers…..
If he is still getting the Radiotherapy go with him and ask your questions at the Radiology Department as they will have the name and contact number for the referring Consultant.
You could contact his GP as they will be reciving communications as to what treatment your dad is having and his GP my be able to help out.
This New to Community area is like our reception desk where we try to direct you to the best part of the Community for you to get support.
The Community is actually divided into dedicated Support Groups (Discussion Rooms) and when it comes to the practical and emotional challenges of supporting your dad and indeed the rest of the family you may benefit from joining and posting in our……
Carers only (if you are their caregiver)
Supporting someone with incurable cancer
……. support groups where you will connect with a wide range of members navigating the exact same support challenges.
To connect with a group click on the “Bold Italic Links” I have created above …… then once the group page opens click in the [Black - Click to Join - Banner] that appears at the bottom of the page and this will then confirm that you have joined the group.
When you are ready……. you can introduce yourself by putting up your very own post by clicking [+ Create new post] or [+] in the top right of the group page.
You can copy and paste the text from this post into your new post.
It is an emotional time supporting family so you might find this Macmillan information your feelings when someone has cancer helpful as well as this link getting help with your emotions.
The Macmillan Support Line is open between 8am-8pm (timings may differ across services) 7 days a week on 0808 808 00 00…… this service provides cancer information, practical information, emotional support or just a listening ear.
Do get back to me if you need further help navigating the community ((hugs))
