Hi everyone,
I'm new to this community. It's been a real help reading everyone's stories.
My mum is 69, and has terminal lung cancer with mets in her hips and adrenals. Since getting the terminal diagnosis at the start of the year, after a year of immunotherapy, she seems to be in rapid decline. Her mobility was already poor, but she is now incredibly unsteady on her feet. She is eating perhaps one small meal a day, and is showing no interest in meal replacement shakes. There is a fair bit of confusion, memory issues, and she is very low. I have wondered whether the cancer may have spread to her brain.
The only thing that is OK right now is her pain. She is on 20mg zomorph morning and evening.
I'm her son, and have been her primary carer for a while. Recently we've had help from carers and a district nurse, but I feel like it's not enough. It's extremely worrying how quickly she's going downhill. If she continues the way she is going, I can see her being extremely malnourished in the next week or two.
I wonder whether she needs to be in a different environment, such as a care home, or spend time in hospice to try and build up some strength.
Otherwise, I'm not too sure what more I can be doing, or who to seek out for more support. Any advice is really appreciated.
Hello Lane95
Thank you for reaching out here, and Welcome to the forum, it sounds as if things are quite difficult at present and I am sorry to read that you feel that Mum needs more support that she is currently receiving.
Have you spoken to her GP with regards to respite or hospice placement? When my brother in law was very unwell it was the GP who moved mountains and assisted with getting a hospice assessment and he was moved into a hospice within a few days.
This may be the first place to start, call for an urgent appointment or contact her cancer nurse at the hospital, who also may be able to help.
I really do hope that some help comes her way, to ensure that she is as comfortable as possible for as long as possible
Lowe'
