Hello. I’ve been on here a little while since my 60 year old dad received the diagnosis on Friday 13th December of 3 Grade 4 glioblastoma’s, optic nerve, brain stem and left frontal lobe.
Symptoms have dramatically increased over the past few weeks and with just 6 days to my sisters wedding we’re trying everything we can to keep dad well. In the past week his little eye sight he had left has mostly gone, his left arm and leg are immobile and he’s now using a wheelchair. He lays down all day and his breathing is sometimes heavier, but he is eating and drinking well. He’s still always listening and will join in which conversations (laid down with eyes closed) but his speech can sound more slurred at times.
From personal experiences are there any key things to look out for from now?
My mum is caring for my dad and is an absolute angel! But we have district nurses assessing dad tomorrow and unfortunately he’s been left to it since his diagnosis from the oncology teams and his GP, barring monthly bloods and chemo tablets (which he’s done two rounds of).
any advice, or tips to make him brighter on the wedding day would be greatly appreciated! (Steroids will be upped to 12mg and 16mg for the day to try to help).
thanks if you got this far reading - love to you all xx
Hi Jess
lovely to hear from you. Sorry to hear about your dad. Life's cruel.
It is hard to know what to look out for towards the latter stages of this cruel journey as everyone is slightly different. During' G's journey I found this website-End State Symptoms of Brain Tumor Patients - Glioblastoma Support Network It's a guide and to be honest G displayed a lot of the symptoms for several months that the guide indicates for near the end. There are no hard and fact rules here...there aren't even any rules.
As for how to brighten your dad for your sister's big day, if the Drs agree, increasing the steroids for a day or two beforehand might give him a boost. If it's Dex he's on it takes 48hrs for a change in dose to take full effect according to the guidelines for it. Perhaps also ensure he has a "rest" day the day before so that he's as well-rested and fresh as possible.
Good luck for the big day. Hope it all goes smoothly.
love n hugs
Wee Me xx
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