Bazel
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Lainy,
You know Teddy and you know being cold is not normal for him. In some way his body his having to divert its energy to other things and this is causing there to be not enough energy to keep himself warm. I am sure you will talk to his Dr. and be sure you he understands this change.
BTW .. we’re neighbors too! I am just up the road a bit to east in Southeast Chandler. My dad was treated by Dr. Shtivelband at Ironwood just south of the Chandler hospital. Small world. It’s going to be plenty warm today so maybe Teddy will find some comfort sitting outsite (but still in the shade).
Bz
Good to hear you have made progress! Only one item in your last post casues me concern on your behalf. Please call your NP and determine if the bowel prep is required for the surgery. You still have time to do this before your surgery tomorrow and I would hate to learn that your surgery was delayed for failure to complete prior admission.
Know that you have many prayers and good thoughts coming your way. Hoping you have the best possible outcome!
Bz
Marions,
What a sage reminder for all, “what is good for some may not be good for all”. It is nice to know that folks can come to this site and gather a variety of opinions and actual experiences and use this as a tool to have more informed conversations with their own health care providers.
Bz
When my dad started on the Xeloda he developed one of the common side effects which was essentially canker (type) mouth sores. His doctor was able to prescribe something called
Sophie,
My dad’s oncologist gave him a standing order for paracentisis (Sp??) and he was then able to call the hospital and schedule an appointment when he wanted/felt he needed it. This allowed him to make the decision about his care and he liked that.
Also, as a daughter of someone who followed the path of this disease I share two thoughts with you. First, as hard as it was to discuss my dad’s wishes it made taking care of the plans much easier when the time came. I can say the same about the other details he took the time to discuss while he was healty enough to do so (Insurance, bank accounts, etc). Second, I knew my dad very well and I was his champion. I was with him at every appointment (but one and I swore never to miss on again). I understood where my dad was in his fight; physically, emotionally and spiritually. I suspect your daughter is also in tune with your journey and will be ready to support your needs and wants.
Your daughter is on the cusp of a life changing and joyful event with the impending birth of a child, I suspect you don’t want to cloud that joy with what may be a difficult topic. But as others have said you can frame this conversation in a positive manner. Your daughter is going to be very busy in the coming weeks and months and having this item off your to do list is one less thing for you to be worried about freeing up your energy to focus on wellness.
Bz
Add another to the list of cc with virtually no pain or symptoms. My dad took an Alaska cruise and returned home just 5 weeks before he passed away. And really – up until then and even 2 weeks after his return there were minimal symptoms. And, most symptoms were chemo/treatment related. As far as pain goes, he had little – even as he was finishing his cc journey.
Sue,
My sympathies for your loss. May you find comfort in knowing your husband is at peace.Bz
Ejoy…
You will know if your mother is in pain. I was with my dad for the last 24 hours of his journey and I knew when the pain ticked up. We were in a hospice facility and I was able to assure he received medication to keep him comfortable.
My dad knew I was there and sometime the sound of my voice was all he needed. Hopefully you will have access to liquid medications that you can provide to your mom when needed.
God Bless and Stay Strong,
Bz
Thank you all. While I didn’t think there was a hereditary connection I thought it better to seek the sage advise of the folks here. None the less I will be sure my PCP knows of the family history going forward.
Bz
Kelly,
For most people hosipce is truly a blessing. If your dad is not in active treatment, assure that his Oncologist has prescribed pallative care and call in hospice. They will help keep him comfortable and manage pain. If you don’t have a good feeling about your hospice choice make a change, you can release them and bring in another. I don’t know where you live but I am in Arizona and there are a couple large, well known hospice organization and several smaller ones to choose from.
My dad was in in-patient hospice for less than 36 hours and with the exception of one person (and he was not bad) all were giving in a manner I can not describe. In the final days my dad did not tolerate liquid morphine (made him sick). Within two hours when med could be administered again, hospice had arranged for liquid oxy instead. Also, as I sat through the night with my dad – my hospice nurse “knew” where my dad was and helped me understand his journey.
While we never think we will follow this path, we all find the way.
Bz
Richard,
Your prayers for your father have been heard and his spirit will find peace. My dad passed on 11/9/07 after a qucik spiral. We too heard the phrase weeks not months and sadly weeks became days. While in many ways we tried to prepare for his passing there is no true way to do so. Our family dynamic has an extra wrinkle in it as my dad was the primary caregiver for my mom who is in about stage 4 of Alzheimer’s Disease. The fact that he held true to this role up until about 2-weeks before he passed is nothing short of a miracle. In many ways we think his continued focus on mom kept him from focusing on cc.Dad was in hospice for less than 36 hours but they were angels and they assured that dad was comfortable, without pain and maintained his dignity. The hospice staff also “knew” where dad was in his transition and for me that helped (others may not feel the same).
Finally, the greatest gift I received from my dad’s passing was to see him at peace. Having now taken on a much more active role in caring for my mom – my awe for my dad has grown 10-fold. When I said my final goodbye at dad’s service I can genuinely say dad was at peace.
Bz
Rita,
I was saddened to see your posting – but in many ways your dad sounded like mine. Driven, a bit head strong, and man who would generally have the final say. Be assured that he felt your love and that likely gave him strength and comfort. My condolences to you and your family.
Bz
While this does not make the here and now any easier – know that you will make the right decision at the time it needs to be made. You will know what is right for your dad and your family.
As far as treatment for your dad goes, I encourage you to understand that Chemo is brutal on the healtiest of people and within days of beginning treatment your dad’s qaulity of like will drastically change. If dad is concerned that he is doing nothing – assure him that he is in being able to continue to share his life with his family.
Bz
