Anonymous Question How can I help my dad?

[Anonymous Question]

Anonymous question submitted:

Hi there I've found this forum whilst looking for some advice about my Dad. He has secondary cancer and is still at home but am worried as his blood sugar levels seem high. He is on steroids (dexamethasone 3xdaily) and has not been diagnosed with db but the level is 24.5 and he can't face eating anything. He has had a large glass of rum n coke and I've just taken a second one off him. He has agreed the levels are high but won't let me seek medical advice. He has eaten very little today - bowl of cereal about 11am, small prawn cocktail about 4pm and a mouthful of pork steak and a chip at 7pm. He seems to be drinking milk excessively and milky coffee and I wonder how I can get the levels down? He has gone to bed cause he says he's tired and has now got some water to drink. Any thoughts or advice would be greatly appreciated.

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[Bluetit1802]

I'm so sorry to hear of your dad. It sounds like he has enough to cope with his cancer and has gone into denial over his sugar levels, probably doesn't want to know and thinks this is the last straw. It does sound like he is depressed. Have you thought of giving his GP a ring, or even his oncologist. I'm sorry I can't be of any help.

 

[lizdeluz]

Sorry to hear about your dad.

He probably won't want to eat or drink anything other than what he feels like eating and drinking.

You say that his blood sugars are too high, but that he has not been diagnosed with diabetes. Is he testing his blood sugar? Is his high blood sugar a result of his therapy? Sorry to sound so ignorant, I'm trying to understand your dad's situation.

How can you know what to do on your own? Your dad has told you not to seek medical advice, but he need not know if you telephone NHS Direct for guidance. They will be able to assess your dad's current problem and organise the practical help you both need. So please give them a call. You will feel relieved not to be shouldering this on your own.

Best wishes.