My dad has just been diagnosed with terminal bowel cancer out of the blue!

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My dad was told on Friday he has terminal bowel cancer, with max of 12 months. Completely out of the blue. He went into to hospital with suspected strangulated hernia and he was told on his own of the diagnosis. He was then discharged, he has a colonoscopy booked for this weekend. But know nothing, we've had no contact from anyone.  

What sort of palliative care would he receive, he wants to go out and do lots of things, and is worried the palliative chemo might make him unable to do all these things. feeling very lost!

  • Hi  

    So sorry to hear about your dad . You definitely need some follow up with the oncologist. Palliative care can be very good but might need a few cycles to adjust to dose and get the balances right . My mum was diagnosed back in 2009 as a stage 4 patient and the oncologist told us roughly 1/3 of patients have hardly any side effects   1/3 have moderate but with the right help do well and the other 1/3 have sever side effects . My mum came into the last group however with the right help made it through . 
    Chemo can be stopped at any point in time if he finds it intolerable. However bowel cancer has lots of different options depending on his cell type .

    My mum has been in and out of treatment for 14 years so you just never know . Some are great responders .

    Take care ,

    Court 

    Helpline Number 0808 808 0000

  • Hi Court,

    That is super helpful info, I really appreciate the effort you went to answer my question. Amazing...14 years! Fingers crossed for my dad!

    Best wishes Margot