Hello everyone,
I'm just wanting to speak to those who would understand, I'm in a bit of a shock at the moment.
I don't see my dad very often, we live a long away apart. Last time I spoke with him was end of September. I had a call from him this evening and he says he's got a shock for me: he's got cancer.
He's 85 and has COPD and high blood pressure. He'd not mentioned any symptoms before, but it would seem that in between the time we last spoke and a couple of weeks back he's become very ill.
He sounded awful, very hoarse, and quite weak. There was no power in his voice. Apparently he'd started having acid reflux symptoms and eased those with gaviscon. Then it started to get difficult to make go away. He was having his dinner one evening when he swallowed, but it wouldn't go down. He couldn't eat anything solid.
The GP sent him for an endoscopy which happened within 2 weeks. He didn't see the screen but there is apparently a mass/tumour down the oesophagus. He was sent for a CT scan 4 days after that.
He's been having just soup and meal replacement drinks since. I couldn't get out of him when he actually had these tests, but I think he might have been waiting 3-4 weeks. His weight has dropped considerably and he's had to buy new clothes.
He wasn't able to tell me how long ago he'd actually had his tests, or what treatment there is. I'm not sure if he's avoiding telling me or he's not fully sure himself. When he said he had cancer, I said where and he said above the stomach - oh the pancreas? No, food pipe.
He told me a few bits and pieces he wants to go to people other than what's in his Will and reminded me of the company that he bought his funeral through. He seems to be thinking that he's dying, but hasn't mentioned any possible treatment.
I'm not quite sure what to think. He's obviously not at all well. I've no idea what to expect next. I've got power of attorneys for health and finance, but I'm not sure if the hospital would speak to me.
