Hiya.
Will try to keep this brief but happy to give extra info when needed.
My 11 yr old has a stepgrandfather who is seriously ill with COPD. He recently went to a hospital appointment regarding a lung transplant. He told the Drs that he quit smoking 6 months ago (although the reality is that he quit a week ago) and they said he has approx 5 years left to live without the transplant, 8 with. He's decided not to go for the transplant.
So, now we're got lots of questions and challenging times ahead for all of us. My main concern at the moment is the grandfather (my stepfather-in-law) and his wife (my mother-in-law). How we can support them, what kind of support they need through occupational health, etc.
However, DS is very close to his grandad. He lived with his grandparents for a substantial amount of time and I can't imagine how he is going to cope when he learns the news. What should we do? Should we tell him at some point?? At the moment, I'm thinking of reminding DS that grandad is poorly (DS knows this, but not that he is seriously ill) and if any occasion comes up to talk about dying and death, to use that....but not relating it to grandad.
The other issue is that DS's uncle (grandad's youngest son) doesn't know. He is 18 and Autistic. Obviously, he is very close to Dad and constantly worries about him. He knows his Dad is ill but hasn't been told how seriously. This news will devastate him. I'm concerned on what is the best way to support him too.
This is just all so horrible. I have so many questions and just don't know where to start. I'm sorry about rambling. Thanks for reading
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Life-limiting illness
DS's Grandad seriously ill - COPD. What to do?
2 replies
SomePeopleSayImBonkers · 15/09/2012 18:15
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