Hi I am new here, I have been attempting to find an answer on your message boards but since there are so many threads I hope it is okay if I just post a new question.
My father was diagnosed with a tumour on his kidney 2 years ago. He was told at that time he had 2-3 months. I live on the opposite side of Australia to him and immediately made a visit to him.
In the last couple of weeks he has gone downhill fast. It has metasized to his lungs. He is now being given morphine, on a dose of 30mg when neccessary. Prior to the morphine starting he was losing weight rapidly. 7 kgs last week. He is lying down most of the day and not interested in anything. He has fallen a couple of times and not been able to get up. Very negative and says he wants it all to end. He is refusing in-home care.
My question is at what stage do doctors usually start giving morphine? Does this mean he only has weeks to go or months? My brother sister and myself are 6000 miles away from him and are arranging our affairs to go and be with him. How long do we have? The doctors have not responded to communications and he is being extremely stubborn, telling us not to come etc. At this stage we hope to leave in 3 weeks, will this be too late? Please, I realise all cases are different but any advice will be welcomed.