Dad diagnosed with terminal colon cancer

Hi Dexty,

I’m really sorry to hear about your Dad. It sounds like an overwhelming situation for you and your parents. I’m new to this group too and our family are going through the same with my 88yr old Mum. It has been an incredibly difficult few weeks with the diagnosis coming out of nowhere for someone who is fit and active. Whilst you’re busy trying to navigate the medical conversations and push for answers you are also trying to deal with all the emotions that it brings.

Do you have the details for the palliative care team at the hospital that your Dad is registered with? They should be able to help you with the care and equipment side of things, including advice on pain and symptom management. Also Macmillan will be able to provide information and support and advise if you aren’t getting anywhere with the hospital. Know that you’re not alone in this.

Thank you so much for replying. Sorry to hear you are going through similar with your mum. It’s so easy to get sucked into thinking you’re on your own with this and I guess I needed reminding that I’m not. It doesn’t help that I’m 45 mins away and my only sibling is in New Zealand. I’m struggling to come to terms with the fact that 5 weeks ago he was fit, healthy and with no idea what was  to come and now he can barely walk, doesn’t eat and is getting confused. 
I’m going to speak to the palliative team tomorrow and see what I can sort. 

My dad has stage 4 Brain stats which spread from his Kidney. He was diagnosed 4 weeks since which came as a huge shock. He is having palliative care but today has lost the ability to swallow even fluids. He has been taken off his meds. He wants water but just cant swallow it, so heart breaking as he is mentally with it, but exhausted.  I worry he will just dehydrate

So sorry to hear about your dad. It’s heartbreaking to watch someone you love deteriorate in front of your eyes and out of the blue. Are his care team able to give him intravenous drips to help with the dehydration.