Mum has gone, Dad stage 4 lung cancer

Tootsieone 1 day ago

1 reply

My mum passed away 11/9/2025, 4 weeks prior to her passing from secondary breast cancer my Dad was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer. Mum had been in hospital and she wanted home so a care package was organised and home she came only to have 9 final days at home, of which the last 2 days she was unaware of anything. My Dad is heartbroken after 55 years of marriage. With his cancer diagnosis I feel he will follow her soon as he's not fit for any treatment, how do I help him deal with the lose of Mum and try to make the best of the time he has left.

Daffodil 2 hours ago

Dear Tootsieone,



we are so sorry to hear about your and your dad’s loss. It must be very hard to see your dad heartbroken while having been diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer. It sounds like you want to do everything to help him. This is a complex situation of cancer, loss, grief, and caring, and your being there for your dad and thinking about this question in itself is a helpful step for you both.

I am not sure whether you have seen the information about grief on the Marie Curie website yet? There is also information about caring for someone that you may find useful as a starting point. You can access these resources via www.mariecurie.org.uk.


You will also find information about the Marie Curie helpline which you can contact by phone or online if you would like to talk to someone. It can be a good starting point for exploring, for example, Marie Curie bereavement services but also be a port of call for specific questions. The telephone helpline (0800 090 2309) is open 8am to 6pm Monday to Friday, and 10am to 4pm Saturday to Sunday.


We also hope that other readers in this forum will feel comfortable to share their experiences with you. You are not alone in this situation. Please feel free to write again here, too.



With all best wishes,



💛 Anke, a Member of the Marie Curie Online Support Team