Hi, I'm asking if anyone here has ever had a broken tale/butt bone? My elderly dad has lung cancer that has spread all over and all of a sudden over night he has this unexplained huge bruse right on his tale bone that is gray, purple, red & black. It's about the size of my hand! It's very tender and painfull for him & I have no idea how in the world it got there. :confused: My mom & I have been looking after him day and night so, we know he has not been up except the times we've helped him & he never bumped into anything or fell at all any of those times. He has a hospital bed in his bedroom here where the sides come up so he can't get out at night while we're sleeping that way he has to wake me or mom to help him up so, he don't fall. One of us always sleeps in a cot in his room so, we're 110% sure he's not fallen. Anyone have any idea what this could be? It's swollen a little too.
Also, if the cancer has spread to his bones would it be easy for him to get a fracture or broken bone like that just from laying in bed?
The hospice nurse will be here in a few days to look at it but they can't know with out an xray, right? any input on this will be great to hear.
Thanks!
T.

I am so glad your dad has you and your mom.
A broken tailbone hurts to sit or lay down and there really isn't a "fix" for it unless it's a major break. Rest is all that is prescribed.
As for your dad's case - if you are 100% sure that he has not fallen which is the typical means for breaking your tailbone, then I would definately put in a call to your dad's doc. I do not think he could break his by simply laying in bed unless he has severe osteoporosis, but even that is unlikely. He will need an xray (possibly an MRI or CT) to determine what is going on. I did not have a bruise or swelling when I broke mine from a fall right on it. Also have a friend who broke hers giving birth and she was miserable having to lay on her back in the hospital.
Could it possibly be a bedsore that is developing - sounds like he moves alot so I doubt it. I would advise for a doc to check it out.
Please post back and let us know what happens.
Prayers being sent your way!

Hi, thanks for your response...
The burse came on over night and he had been laying on it for a while not moving around much because he was in a lot of pain from the cancer. After a day or 2 a sore came up on the bruse & we had hospice look at it. They said it was a pressure sore (bed sore). They never told us he needed to be turned every 2 hours so, my Mom & I had no idea. My Dad went into a coma on the 5th & then died on the 7th of july.... I miss him so much...... but he's in a better place now & doesn't have to suffer anymore.
To anyone caring for someone with cancer;
Make every day count... I helped care for my dad for almost 5 years and believed he would live much longer than he did because he had already beat the odds by years... Make sure to say everything you've ever wanted to the person you're caring for & try your best not to make them feel like a burden on you. I know it can be very trying & hard at times to give up a big part of your own life but believe me.. It's priceless in the end.
Also, if that person will be leaving a wife, husband or child behind, help them find the things they need to prepare financially for what's to come such as social security, retirement funds, etc. My parents were both retired and my Mom's monthly income has been cut in 1/2 now which is going to make paying the bills and getting by a lot harder not to mention having to deal with the loss of her husband.
Take care,
T.