My Dad who is also my best friend was diagnosed 3 weeks ago with 3 months to live. Aggressive bowel cancer that has spread i think pretty much everywhere. He is now home for symptom management and palliative care.
I have realised today how scared I am. I have started to struggle within myself and wondered if anyone could point me in the right direction of the right group here as i am an only child and no other family, and im finding this very hard on my own. I need to be strong to be able to give him the best care I possibly can for the time he has left.
Im becoming an emotional wreck I want to make him proud of me. Maybe it will be unavoidable being an emotional wreck but perhaps in this community I wont feel so alone and scared.
Hi Cazerra and a very warm welcome to the Macmillan Community but I am so sorry to hear about your dad’s diagnosis and prognosis.
This is such a stressful and challenging time but talking with and getting support from people who are walking the ‘exact same' support journey can help a lot.
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 yourself you may benefit from joining and posting in our….
Carers only (that I see you have already joined )
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 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.
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……. and also this link What is palliative care
As always 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, benefits and financial guidance or just a listening ear.
Talking to people ‘face to face’ can be very helpful so do check to see if you have any Local Support in your area, do also check for a local Maggie's Centre as these folks are amazing.
Do get back to me if you need further help navigating the community ((hugs))
