Find Senior Care (City or Zip)
Join Now Log In
L
lookingforward1 Asked January 2022

Husband decided against treatment. What can I expect as a caregiver?

Invasive ductal carcinoma. The more prepared I am the better I am about coping.

againx100 Feb 2022
So, he's decided against treatment. I can understand that. No surgery? No chemo?

Is he open to natural treatments? Google it. I know there are lots of ideas. Dietary - cutting out sugar which is said to feed cancer, etc. Supplements - a friend of mine used Eissac tea - not sure how it worked since she moved away. I'm sure there are tons of other ideas.

If he is just going to totally ignore it, start having some fun now while he is still feeling good etc. When/if he starts to suffer a bit, go for hospice care because there is no need to needlessly suffer with cancer pain.

PeggySue2020 Jan 2022
My mom, my sisters and I have all had breast cancer scares. My one sister and my mom both chose lumpectomy. My sister was the only one requiring chemo at the time; now she'd be treated with just follow up rads after surgery. We were all pre stage-2.

If that's the case here, it's actually easier to nip the thing in the bud rather than going through the whole painful process of it spreading to the lungs, the brain as happened to one of my friends. It was fhe kind of death no one would really prefer.

If however he's gone through multiple lines of chemo and he's still going that way--if the costs outweigh the benefits--and if it's really 6 months or less expected, engage hospice. They can guide you through this process while ensuring his comfort care medications.

ADVERTISEMENT


Countrymouse Jan 2022
This is a link to a comprehensive overview of the disease:

https://www.breastcancer.org/symptoms/types/male_bc

It also has a section on treatments, but presumably he's been through all the options with his oncologist. The same website offers advice headed "Day to Day Matters" but for one thing it is - naturally enough - written for a mainly female audience and for another I have the impression it assumes people are living with treatment and I think you're rather past that stage?

If your husband and you expect he will want to be cared for at home for as long as possible, look for practical support. What sort will depend on what his needs are or may become, and where to find it will probably need research. Are you considering hospice services?
lookingforward1 Feb 2022
Thank you countrymouse. We will eventually look into hospice, but it's still too early for that. Any good books dealing with breast cancer symptoms and how to best treat them?
97yroldmom Jan 2022
What stage? What other health issues? How old is he?
lookingforward1 Jan 2022
Stage three. Many other health issues including limited walking distance of not more than 50 feet. 67 years old.
MJ1929 Jan 2022
Get hospice on board first and foremost. You need people in your corner.
lookingforward1 Jan 2022
It's too early for hospice, but thank you for suggesting it. I just don't know what to expect in the progression of breast cancer and how to help him through it.

ADVERTISEMENT

Ask a Question

Subscribe to
Our Newsletter