Help caring for cancer sufferer

[Tups]

My 79 year old father has just been diagnosed with lung cancer (he has never smoked in his life!) and, naturally, it's a huge shock to both my parents. Does anyone know how I go about looking for ways to help them get through this? My mother, who is in poor health herself, both mentally and physically, is looking after him at home. Surely, there must be some support available from somewhere? Everything I've looked up so far only seems to help if you don't have any savings, including Macmillan Cancer support. Perhaps I'm not looking in the right places. Any advice from people who have been there would be greatly received. I have to go out now so won't be able to acknowledge any replies until later. Thanks, though, in advance!

[Panic Button]

I don't believe Macmillan restricts their assistance to the poor.

It is true they give financial help to the needy, but surely they give other forms of support to everyone don't they?

http://www.macmillan.org.uk/Home.aspx

[marval]

Also try this.

http://www.mariecurie.org.uk/

[sara3]

the hospital where he is being treated should have advice.

I'm sorry for your father, sad news and so unfair. I wish him (and your mother) all the best x

[Sandy-Wroe]

You could ask your father's GP to put you in contact with a Social Worker. They would have details of what help is available for your parents.

[ummmm]

I don't remember how my Dad got his nurses (I was in a daze at the time) but they came to see him 2 to 3 times a week

[Sandy-Wroe]

As the previous poster said you be in a bit of a daze when you hear the news. I'm trying to remember how it was when my old mum was given that diagnosis. As far as I can remember the Doctor will set things in motion. Then a nurse will call as often as needed.

[Mamyalynne]

Ask your GP there are services available to all regardlesss of income and they should point you in the right direction. As others have said things are a blur and you cannot always remember how you got the support at the time, but the care my husband recieved was beyond doubt the best I could have hoped for.

Take care of yourself and your family , its a rocky road.

Mamya

[shaneystar2]

I don't know where your Dad is being cared for Tups but a friend of mine was under the Royal Marsden in Surrey only last year and they arranged everything as her husband couldn't care for her as he has Parkinsons Sort of a reverse situation .They arranged for a Macmillan nurse and all sorts of other support .It has nothing to do with income or savings . See his GP and also speak to those at the hospital who are tending to your Dad . They'll sort it out for you and point you in the right direction .
Things are so much different today and there is a lot of support out there not like nearly forty years ago when my Dad had the same thing and my Mum and I looked after him at him at home and all we had was a district nurse .
I know how you feel .Take care.

[Mr Veritas]

This charity "Maggie's" Cancer Caring Centres,helps anyone with any type of cancer.
http://www.maggiescen...entres/home/home.html
I could explain about them,but it's probably better and easier if you trawl their website.

[Tups]

Thank you all. Good to know there are others out there who understand. It's easy to feel alone, as I'm sure you know! x

[Mamyalynne]

Never feel alone Tups and ask ask ask , as sometimes the help is there but if you don`t know you can`t access it.

Love to all family, Take care

M