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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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How To Handle My Husband Who Is Having Brain Tumor At This Time?

My husband has a grade IV brain tumor. He is now in the hospital and needs 24/7 hr care. I try and visit him as often as I can but I also have a daughter at home and have to work. His speech is impaired along with his thought process. He is on steriods to help with the swelling. The hardest part of this right now is that he is insistant that he should come home and he wants me to 'fix' it and put my foot down and get him out of there. I have no idea on what to tell him, the doctors and myself know that he does not have much time left and I dont want to cry or be angry with him. We have never said a hurtful thing to each other and now he is so angry with me because I wont let him come home.

My husband told me last nite that if he doesnt get out of the hospital is isnt going to make it and I dont have the heart to tell him that he cant come home and that he wont make it here either. Can you give me some advise on what to say to him, how to deal with this as I am not doing well and dont know how to handle this anymore.

Mon, 17 Nov 2014
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Neurologist, Surgical 's  Response
This question does not have any specific Neurosurgery Point. Hence I am answering this as a physician and not as a Brain Surgeon.
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In most other terminal illness, the patient understands the disease and the consequences. Brain Tumor, especially when it affects the speech and thought process, interferes with the individual's understanding of his illness and hence the burden on the immediate relatives are high.

I understand the difficult situation you are in. You are already over burdened.

(1)
Please don't take the role of a counselor at this moment and increase the (emotional) weight on your shoulders. If he talks about being anxious, listen quietly. Don’t try to change the subject or silence him . When he is finished sharing concerns, encourage him or her by asking, “What do you want to achieve now?”

Then gently say that even you would like to have him in his home, but his condition is that doctors are not ready to discharge him.

You may have to act as per the treating doctor's advice. No doubt about it. But when talking to your husband, please take his side. Say that you want him to be cured and come home and return to normalcy at the earliest (Given the choice, I am sure this is what you will want - So you are not telling a lie. Say this with full conviction). That it is not possible is not the issue. That you want this is the point to be stressed. Read this para again and again and get convinced yourself first.

(2)
Try to get the help of his friends. Try if any of his friends can come to hospital and tell him that he needs to be there

(3)
If he is religious, consider bringing your priest / chaplain and ask them to talk with him
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How To Handle My Husband Who Is Having Brain Tumor At This Time?

This question does not have any specific Neurosurgery Point. Hence I am answering this as a physician and not as a Brain Surgeon. - In most other terminal illness, the patient understands the disease and the consequences. Brain Tumor, especially when it affects the speech and thought process, interferes with the individual s understanding of his illness and hence the burden on the immediate relatives are high. I understand the difficult situation you are in. You are already over burdened. (1) Please don t take the role of a counselor at this moment and increase the (emotional) weight on your shoulders. If he talks about being anxious, listen quietly. Don’t try to change the subject or silence him . When he is finished sharing concerns, encourage him or her by asking, “What do you want to achieve now?” Then gently say that even you would like to have him in his home, but his condition is that doctors are not ready to discharge him. You may have to act as per the treating doctor s advice. No doubt about it. But when talking to your husband, please take his side. Say that you want him to be cured and come home and return to normalcy at the earliest (Given the choice, I am sure this is what you will want - So you are not telling a lie. Say this with full conviction). That it is not possible is not the issue. That you want this is the point to be stressed. Read this para again and again and get convinced yourself first. (2) Try to get the help of his friends. Try if any of his friends can come to hospital and tell him that he needs to be there (3) If he is religious, consider bringing your priest / chaplain and ask them to talk with him