My lovely dad has terminal brain cancer - struggling at the thought of losing him

Hi JasJb

 a warm welcome to the community. So sorry to hear about all that's going on with your dad. Life's too cruel.

I supported my late husband through the 3 years of his GBM journey so I understand how tough it is. Our kids were a bit younger than you (20 and 22 at the time) G was only 50 when he was first diagnosed.

Have you spoken to your local GP about getting some help to care for your dad? They should be able to assist with the community nursing team.  Also your local hospice may be able to offer some support too. The GP would most likely need to refer you to them in the first instance.

If you are noticing behavioural changes I would encourage you to speak to his medical team and report the changes. It may be that a tweak is needed to his medication to take the edge off things. Steroids made G very nasty at times but you have to try to remember that its not really them talking, its the tumour. Easier said than done , I know.

This is a safe and supportive space so please reach out here anytime. There's always someone about to listen who gets it, someone to hold your hand and to offer a virtual hug when its needed. You're not alone. We've got you.

It’s always good to talk so please remember that you can also call the Macmillan Support Services on 0808 808 00 00 - most services are open 8am to 8pm, 7 days a week Clicking here to see what is available. This service provides lots of cancer information, emotional support, benefit and financial guidance or just a listening ear

For now though I am sending you a huge virtual hug and lots of strength.

love n hugs

Wee Me xx

So sorry you are going through this especially at your age. It is very traumatic seeing someone change so much. And very hard to deal with the outbursts when you are already emotionally drained. My husband survived for 9 months after diagnosis. I do think seeing all that a brain tumour takes from you makes it so difficult to cope with x

Hi Jasjb 

My husband was diagnosed with Glioblastoma at end Nov ‘25 iin the left temporal lobe.  An operation to remove the tumour was performed on 30/12/25. He was passed to oncology team but after assessments and discussions he was passed to Palliative Care.   Our team are there we have 24 hr contact if we need them. Up until approximately 3 weeks ago he was still able to go and collect his morning paper come home write out his betting slip and get a bus to the betting shop then get his crispy rolls. In the last 3 weeks he hasn’t  been out of the house or even upstairs in the house 

We are now in closer contact with his medical team and at the moment there is a lot of tweaking of drugs going on as he has been having hallucinations frequently and seizures whilst sleeping.   At this stage he is actually sleeping a lot. They are tweaking his seizures drugs and hallucination drugs at the moment and steroids have been put up again .  As WeeMe has commented steroids also have caused massive changes my husband has been extremely nasty.  I spend a huge amount of time in tears I’m sorry to say it is very very difficult.  If your Dad is not on Palliative Care I think it sounds as if he should be please contact his GP you and your sister need support.   My kids are in their 50’s and I don’t know how I would manage without them. My daughter recently asked our nurse what sort of time scale is left she said that obviously every body is different but that from how her dad is now we are looking at weeks not months….  Know that all who read your post have will have Dad your sister and you in our thoughts.   XX 

My thoughts are genuinely with you and I know exactly how you feel.

My dad has also lost mobility and the co ordination in his hand.

It is heartbreaking to see and I am finding each day so hard to cope with.

Sending you love and strength to you and your family 

Hi Wee Mee,

Thank you so much for taking the time to reply to me in my moment of disparity. 

He is in palliative care at home. We have been offered little support though our services so far however my dad wishes to stay at home and as proud man he hates when district nurses come in and is so uncomfortable with anyone else helping him. I'm trying to do right by him and honour his wishes and I know if I did get help from others I would just be feeling so guilty and horrible knowing that isn't what he wants. In a way I suppose in my own worse enemy by not getting help but it's just jt what he wants - it's so hard. 

I'm telling myself it's not my dad when he has these outbursts and it's the tumour. The thought of knowing he's in such distress is beyond heartbreaking. The doctor came to assess him yesterday and prescribed lorazepam but that's also such a catch 22 because they have completely zonked him. 

if I'm completely honest with myself I think we only have a matter of weeks left and I'm trying to find the strength to push through. 

I'm in such a state of paranoia at the moment thinking the worst is going to happen at any minute. I'm finding myself just watching his belly move up and down to check he's still breathing - I'm so not ready to let go but I don't know want him suffering. 

You are an incredible person to reach out and offer support to a stranger and I'm so appreciative. People like you restore the faith in the world that I have lost throughout this journey. 

Sending hugs xxx