So sorry to hear your sad news. My dad died of prostate cancer that had spread last year and what I can tell you is the support my mum received from the Macmillan nurse team and social services teams was unbelievable and an enormous help at a time when the family were feeling distressed, too distressed to cope with the usual mundane chores of life. Be careful to make time for yourself as well and keep your strength as you will need it. Plan as much as you can together because if the worst does happen it makes things much easier afterwards.

On a more positive note, my half sister was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1979. She responded to treatment. Then cancer returned with avengence 3 years ago and spread throughout her body. A year and a half ago she was in hospital in a coma given a few hours to live. She pulled through against all expectations and is now back playing the piano and driving her car. She knows it is only a remission but lives and enjoys life to the full with the help of pain control.

Never give up hope Sarah