I have been the cancer carer and the dementia carer both at the same time. My experience seems to be at odds with others.
A couple of years ago my Mum was in the terminal stages of Dementia when my husband was diagnosed with terminal cancer of the Oesophagus. Mum spent 7 months in a Community hospital (probably used to be called a Cottage Hospital ). Her care was exemplorary although very old fashioned, probably why it was so good, Matron was very on the ball ! Mum was given CHC and eventually died in a lovely Nursing Home.
In contrast my husband was diagnosed with a so called Lifestyle related cancer which attracts very little research funding. I know this is a little controversial but the more easily cured cancers and the ones which can pull at the heart strings attract the most funds probably 100 fold. Picture a mother with no hair undergoing chemo as against someone who is perceived to have drunk or smoked their way to cancer. We can guess who gets the most donations or funding.
My husband was always a non smoker, not a drinker, the healthiest of food, (I have never cooked a chip in my life), was an elite runner, swimmer and single handicap golfer until the day before he started experimental chemo. Then his life basically started to end.
There were no great swathes of help, it was basically just down to me. No carers, no
respite, no CHC, nothing.
My only shining light was a Macmillan nurse who in cahoots with the GP used to override NHS Hospital standard prescriptions to get him more expensive and effective relief drugs.
Mum just eventually fell asleep and never woke up in her Nursing Home. Mum was 38 years older than my husband when she died and I think the support she had was far superior to his.
Dad has FTL and ALZ and given the constraints of public funds I believe he has also has received as much support as anyone could expect.
I find it hugely ignorant and distasteful people commenting on which disease they would prefer to get.
A couple of years ago my Mum was in the terminal stages of Dementia when my husband was diagnosed with terminal cancer of the Oesophagus. Mum spent 7 months in a Community hospital (probably used to be called a Cottage Hospital ). Her care was exemplorary although very old fashioned, probably why it was so good, Matron was very on the ball ! Mum was given CHC and eventually died in a lovely Nursing Home.
In contrast my husband was diagnosed with a so called Lifestyle related cancer which attracts very little research funding. I know this is a little controversial but the more easily cured cancers and the ones which can pull at the heart strings attract the most funds probably 100 fold. Picture a mother with no hair undergoing chemo as against someone who is perceived to have drunk or smoked their way to cancer. We can guess who gets the most donations or funding.
My husband was always a non smoker, not a drinker, the healthiest of food, (I have never cooked a chip in my life), was an elite runner, swimmer and single handicap golfer until the day before he started experimental chemo. Then his life basically started to end.
There were no great swathes of help, it was basically just down to me. No carers, no
respite, no CHC, nothing.
My only shining light was a Macmillan nurse who in cahoots with the GP used to override NHS Hospital standard prescriptions to get him more expensive and effective relief drugs.
Mum just eventually fell asleep and never woke up in her Nursing Home. Mum was 38 years older than my husband when she died and I think the support she had was far superior to his.
Dad has FTL and ALZ and given the constraints of public funds I believe he has also has received as much support as anyone could expect.
I find it hugely ignorant and distasteful people commenting on which disease they would prefer to get.
