auntiefi

I just wanted to thank everyone for their advice/support in the past. My dad developed hypercalcemia in August and was succesfully treated to keep symptoms at bay. It reoccured in Sept and again successfully treated. In October the symptoms returned quickly and they treated him to enable him to come home. He came home in good spirits and in no pain. He had a lovely week at home and only needed a small dose of morphine for the last 2 days of him life. he was up and about until the second last day and in the last two days he wasn't very aware of what was happening. On the morning that he died, my mum got me up because his breathing had changed (he hadn't had any breathing difficulties). His breathing was slower, we held his hand and he opened his eyes for the first time in 2 days. We spoke quitely and calmly to him, told him we loved him and he slipt away. It was very peaceful and serene. I didn't want him to go, but of all the ways he could go it couldn't have been better for him. We loved having him home for that special last week and we said all we needed to. I thought I would be so scared, but in the end I was glad that he wasn't going to suffer and that a painful, traumatic end to him life would not occur. He died on the 21st October and there is a huge whole in our lives, but I like to think that he has been set free from a cancer ridden body and is keeping a good eye on us from wherever he is. I hope this gives comfort to those who may have to face this in the future, we couldn't fault the medical staff, they went out of their way to make everything as easy as possible for us and my Dad. Love and thoughts to eveyrone going through something similar Love and thoughts Fi

thanks for your advice yesterday. The doctor was called and my dad has been admitted to hopsital (reluctantly) to be treated for Hypercalcemia. Anyone have any experience of this condition? I know vaguely the biology behind it, but looking for any info on the prognosis or treatement. Many thanks Fi

I hope someone will be able to help me. My Dad has metastatic lung cancer with secondary tumour to the throat/neck. he has undergone chemo and a short course of radiotheraphy to prolong his life recently. We thought he would have longer, been given 6-12 months in June but he is fading so quickly. He is now so weak he can barely walk, getting from the bed to the toilet is an immense task, his legs are so weak and shakey. Today is the first day he hasn't got out of bed and just drifted in and out of sleep all day. he looks so grey and old and thin. It is destroying me seeing him like that. He is also immensely confused, not sure if that is tiredness or something else. Can anyone tell me of similar experiences or if anyone has any idea if this sounds like things are coming to an end already? I want my Dad aroudn for as long as possible but I dont want him to suffer. Yours sadly Fi

Hi Not sure if people remember me but i posted a month or two ago about my dad. He has terminal lung cancer. He has been quite week but docs decided to give him a blast of radiotherapy as he had developed a tumour close to his windpipe. He only had a 5 day blast. Since having the radiotherapy he is so weak. He can't even walk through the house. Is this the effect radiotherapy has on people or is this the illness kicking in? Dad is hard of hearing and didn't catch when side effects were discussed. Thanks Hope everyone is coping well and healthy is improving Fi

Hi I'm sorry details are so vague. My dad hasn't let anyone go to appointments with him and he is hard of hearing so maybe doesn't pick up things right. The only reason I referred to pharyngeal metastatic carcinoma is that was written on his discharge after chemo. The chemo was aimed at this tumour rather than the lungs, although the lungs are the main cause for concern now. My dad is 73 now but very young and healthy for his age. Thanks Fiona

Hello I wonder if anyone can help either from experience or from a medical point of view. My dad has been diagnosed with extensive lung cancer, initially treated for a secondry tumour in his neck. The neck tumour responded well to chemo but it looks like the lung cancer is now terminal. He is doing ok at the moment. In the last day or so he has noticed quite a few lumps in his neck and chest area and his shoulder is quite stuff. Could these be more tumours coming up? is the sore shoulder related to either cancer? He is reluctant to see anyone as he says its pointless now but if antyhign can be done to ease his suffering I'm keen for him to get help. Many thanks Fiona

On his 3rd session of chemo my dad has this and was very concerned. Turned out to be chemo related anemia which can cause all sorts of nasty side effects. HTH Fiona

Hello all I'm hoping for some advice. My Dad was diagnosed with pharyngeal cancer in January this year (the day my little girl was born). This was a secondry tumour, the primary being in the lung. He has just finished 6 chemo treatments which had an effect on the throat tumour but unfortunatley there is nothing more they can do for his lungs as the spread is too advanced. Since this latest diagnoses he is so down, I can completely understand but would like any suggestions as to what to do. At the moment he is in relatively good health, slight cough and breathlessness and very lightheaded when he stands. I just want to make him better which I realise I cannot do. He is reluctant to speak to anyone about things, he even asked my mum not to tell me. Macmillan nurses got in touch but he doesn't feel ready to speak to them. I realise there isn't much I can do but if anyone can offer any advice I would be very grateful. Thoughts and prayers to other going through the same. Fiona

Hello again Thanks for replies to previous posts. This is just a quick one to ask if anyone can explain the following terminology. My dad hasn't really discussed things with us, but his notes say 'metastatic pharyngeal carcinoma'. I know this relates to his neck tumour but what do the other terms means? Thanks in advance Fiona

Hello My dad was diagnosed with lung cancer and cancer of the throat in January. 6 treatments of chemo has successfully shrunk his neck tumour but unfortunately the lung cancer is well advanced and there is nothing more they can do. He has generally been in good health up until now. They have said that he could have around 6 months - a year left with us. We are devastated. He is suffering severe lightheadedness when he stands and today I had to catch him before he fell and hit his head. Is this a normal symptom or could there be something else underlying? Many thanks Fiona