Does anyone have any similar symptoms

[Window02]

My husband has stage 4 cancer of lungs and adrenal gland, but they say this is not the primary site and more tests are needed. We were told he had stage 3 last November and since been told it has progressed to stage 4.

As yet he is not been offered any treatment, he sleeps 95 percent of the day, and if I am very lucky he will have a packet of cup a soup. He is in a lot of pain in the side of his neck and front of shoulder, his nose constantly drips without him realising. Is anyone able to answer if this is normal please, am so worried as he has lost so much weight and is in so much pain

[RoyCastleHelpline Partner Ask the Nurse Roy Castle]

Dear Window02

Sorry to hear that your husband has been unwell. Any change or worsening of symptoms needs to be assessed as there could be many different reasons for this.

Priority would be his pain management, from what you say he is not getting pain relief from any medication he has. Contact his Macmillan nurse today, if he does not have one or you cannot get a hold of them, call NHS 111, they may send a local doctor out to your husband. I have sent you a private message on this.

Kind regards

The Roy Castle Support Team

[Window02 in reply to RoyCastleHelpline]

Thank you for your help and advice. He Saw his consultant today , that was the first time he has seen anyone in ornogolgy. We were told it is stage 4 and that there is nothing they can do treatment wise. They have given him morphine for the pain, put him touch with the palliative nurse and are going to contact the hospice, who they say will be in touch. He told us that the type of cancer he has in his adrenal gland is aggressive and that he has months in single figures . They also gave some steroid tablets which they say may help him in staying awake more. Now we are going to try and make the most of time we have left even with the lockdown . Thank you again for the help and advice .

[RoyCastleHelpline Partner Ask the Nurse Roy Castle in reply to Window02]

Dear Window02

So sorry to hear of your husbands diagnosis and prognosis. I am sure the palliative team will make him comfortable and there will be excellent care for your husband from the hospice team and support for you.

This isolation does make for some special relationship and family times, hope you have many together.

We have a new service on offer to support those during the isolation, it is called 'Keep in touch' where one of our dedicated teams offer to either telephone or email you weekly to see how you are doing, if you need to speak to a helpline nurse this can also be arranged.

If you are interested in this , you can either email us at [e-mail] or you can register through this link:

roycastle.org/covid-19/info...

Alternatively you can private message us.

Our freephone nurse led helpline number is 0800 358 7200

Kindest regards

The Roy Castle Support Team

[Window02 in reply to RoyCastleHelpline]

Hi,

Unfortunately my husband passed away after just 12 days. He managed to get one really good day, and went to bed saying what a lovely day he had. His last day was horrendous and I ended up calling an ambulance, because of the virus I was unable to go with him, so he died alone 3 hours after he got there. I am finding that the hardest thing at the moment, I am feeling as if I abandoned him when he needed me most, and because one of the ambulance crew needed details from me I never got to even say good bye, I think he thought I would be going with him as did I . At least now he is no longer in pain, and I can say I was so lucky to have spent 45 years with him

[RoyCastleHelpline Partner Ask the Nurse Roy Castle in reply to Window02]

Hi Window02

I am so very sorry to hear that your Husband passed away. I can't imagine how difficult it must have been for you being unable to be with him. I know it is probably little help, but staff are aware how difficult it is for patients and families in these changed times. And because you were unable to be with him, the hospital staff would have made sure he was not alone. They would also have told him why you were unable to be with him. Phoning the ambulance was the right thing to do in the situation, and every effort would have been made to ensure your husband was as comfortable as possible. In ordinary circumstances you would have been with him.

45 years is something to celebrate and I am sure you will have many wonderful memories.

If you wish to discuss anything you can either email us at [e-mail] or call our freephone nurse led helpline number on 0800 358 7200

Our deepest sympathies

The Roy Castle Support Team

[Wilbocarty1]

Hi. As someone who is also stage IV and has suffered weight loss, I’d recommend trying Complan milkshakes which you simply mix up with milk (full fat if you can) and are equivalent to a light balanced meal.

Most pharmacies stock them, as does Tesco’s and are also available on Amazon. There’s different flavours (I favour Strawberry and Vanilla). Hope that might help 😊