Evening, I am currently sitting up keeping an eye on my father in law who has been diagnosed with Oesophageal Cancer at 101 years old along with him already suffering with Dementia. His diagnosis was finally completed a week ago and because of his age and condition no further medical intervention will be offered.
This proud man had a stent fitted to allow some soft food consumption but is now so thin, has lost so much weight and is now having discomfort sleeping, which he does a lot.
This smart, proud man deserves some comfort, could anyone offer any advice as to how we can assist his comfort in bed? He is still getting up occasionally during the day for a few hours, and can still get up to use toilet etc.
We have only just had our first chat with our support group and they will be calling tomorrow to set up a meet, hopefully they will have some ideas what we can do.
Thank you for your time reading this note.
Regards to all.
Hi . I'm not actually from this group as I have a different type of cancer. I just dropped by and noticed you've not yet had a reply to your post as yet so hopefully someone will be along soon to chat.
I'm so sorry to read that your father-in-law has been diagnosed with Oesophageal cancer at the age of 101 and because of his advanced age he's not been offered any medical treatment. Coupled with the dementia he must be confused yet it's good to see he's still getting up for a few hours each day. It must be so hard for you seeing him failing a little each day and feeling powerless to do anything about it. My own Dad's Prostate cancer accelerated whilst he was in a care home, he too had dementia and got very stressed which in turn upset my Mum who being in a wheelchair with arthritis, could do little to calm him when she visited. He wasn't in pain but lost a lot of weight and I think he was " kept comfortable".
By now you should have had your meeting with your support group so I truly hope they've managed to get something sorted out as regards to his comfort in bed.
If you need to chat to someone you could call the Macmillan Support Helpline, freephone number shown below and they'd also be able to offer some advice.
Sending you best wishes and gentle hugs, B xx
Macmillan Support Line - 0808 808 00 00, 7 days a week between 8am-8pm
"Never lose hope. Storms make people stronger and never last forever” - Roy T Bennett
Hi digger50
It has been a few days since your last post, how are things going for your father in law, and indeed for you.
Has the support group referred for support from your local hospice? If not maybe you can give them a call, they will have plenty of advice on how to make things as comfortable as possible and may even be able to offer you support with the care that is needed.
101, wow, I do hope that your father in law gets all the help and support that he needs, and that he is pain free.
Thinking of you all
Lowe'
Hi Digger
Did you get your questions answered? How are things at the moment?
Lowe'
Thanks for updating me, good luck Friday
Pleased to read that you have been chatting with support, really positive move.
Thinking of you both.
Lowe'
