Dad dying of oesophageal cancer

My dad saw endoscopy today and later this afternoon they fitted a stent. He was able to greet my sister who made a short visit. But he is sleeping the drugs off. He was a little delirious, she said. I hope he isn’t in too much pain tomorrow. He is so thin and weak now. I hope it was worth it. 

So Dad had a stent fitted on Monday. He was completely knocked out by the process. He just slept for hours, possibly due to drugs and sedation. We left him alone largely to sleep it off. (Oop, realise I already said this above!)

Tuesday, Dad had a little nausea early on but was much more his usual self and able to take his heart pills with water. Not able to take anything else much, but did enjoy Lucozade too. Was fit enough to send us a short video message and take visitors. Bless him. 

Dad is being sent home, probably, today. But he may need another blood transfusion. He is back eating jelly apparently. We await to see if he is well enough. Also mum is a bit under the weather so we’ll see. My thoughts are he should stay in hospital a bit longer. Why so desperate to send him home?

Dad came home earlier than expected. He has been able to eat liquid and soft foods quite well with his stent. I had been staying a lot with my parents so my sister took over for a few days. It was nice to just get my head together for a while, see my husband and friends. I am now going back to see how mum and dad are both are faring. And to walk the dog again for a few days. The OT has visited both mum and dad and they are having some small adaptations to the home (grab rails etc) and personal safety alarms. 

Back at mum and dad’s today. Dad was able to have a shower and get dressed and had a small porridge & Ensure for breakfast, soup for lunch and scrambled eggs for tea. But he is just so tired. Slept between all meals today. But did enjoy laying out on the sunbed on the shade for a while. It’s so hot. Can’t make it any easier. 

He told us today that the stent process had been traumatic somewhat, even though the throat etc was numbed My poor dad. 

Dad feeling nauseous and has gone back to bed today without eating his breakfast. We enjoyed looking through some old photos together, before he went back to bed. But I am so worried for him now. I just want to take all the illness away from him. 

Later in the day he has perked up a little and eaten some food. But this is such a draining disease. I can’t bear it. I don’t know how my poor dad can. But he has to.

Dad had a better day today. He is complaining of a croaky voice, which I can hear. His throat was fine until a few days ago when he had the stent fitted. But he has eaten better today. Soft fish in sauce and soup and thin toast. His food list from the stent doctor is so very useful. He says he has no pain and is sleeping well at night. He is sleeping lots throughout the day, however. He has lots of appointments this week. Sometimes I wish he could be left more in peace. But the nurses are lovely. 

Dad has had a few better days and another visit from the palliative nurse today, who is truly wonderful. She told him off for not taking all his pills but they are hard to get down. He’s taking them with custard. Can’t believe I’m having to say that, poor Dad. She also told him to tell her about any changes so they can best help him. They really are good. 

A couple of changes. Dad is coughing more frequently. Sounds like a dry cough. And he is also experiencing pain in his back. He has cancer in the lung as well as the oesophagus so I suppose it could be that. I gave him a back massage and that helped. He says he feels things happening in his body from time to time and continues to be very tired.I hate feeling so helpless and unable to help him much. But maybe the massage will help a little. A foot rub also takes his mind off how he is feeling. 

Dad’s pain in chest and back has got worse. Although Calpol still helps, he now has liquid morphine to call upon if necessary. His dry cough was also worse today. When he talks it now makes him cough a lot. We took him to the doctor on advice of the district nurse today, who gave him linctus to help.