MIL Just Heard Cancer Has Returned - Advice Please

kathy206

Hi Ms Choc First of all, big hug to you all and my deepest sympathy for you at this time.
I honestly feel it is early days regarding you MIL's discharge from hospital, and although I agree it is prudent to work towards MIL's discharge, you have only just found out her diagnosis. Have the hospital given you any idea as to prognosis/treatment? I don't know your whereabouts and what is local to you as regards rehabilitation hospitals/hospice care etc, the macmillan nurses and ward nurses should have an idea. As regards sending your MIL out of hospital before she is ready, there should already have been a referral to social services on your MIL's behalf regarding attendance allowance, and carers allowance,( I don't think these are means tested either) and discharge needs, also, there should be a full physio and OT (occupational therapy) assessment prior to any discharge to assess your MIL's safety and mobility.All hospitals have a social services team "in house" so to speak, so they should do a full assessment and liaise with you , your MIL and the ward staff and Macmillan nurses to enable your MIL to be discharged safely. I am not an expert in this field but would hedge my bets and say that the bravado is a bit of denial regarding the diagnosis IMHO.( i am sure you suspected this already) I would suggest getting together with the macmillan nurse, your MIL's named nurse on the ward, your MIL's consultant and your MIL to find out what the plan is for her care in the near future and if not already done, speak to your MIL's named nurse with your concerns re discharge and see if any referral to social services has been made already, if not, ask that your MIL is referred for an assessment. I have nothing much more to add only to echo what a previous poster said, that the macmillan nurses are fabulous and will be with you all every step of the way. My very best wishes to you all at this difficult time, Kathyxx