darla

This is all very interesting. Jim was 62, never had any chemo or radiation, but did have some lapses in memory, which I thought were probably due to the pain meds. Maybe it is just a combination of everything, including all the stress of dealing with CC. I guess it does just come with the territory and I think it sometimes affects us as caretakers also. Seems like we have to figure all this stuff out for ourselves. Hoping we will get some more input on this.

Darla

ljg,

My husband of almost 42 years also passed on very swifly from this horrific disease. It will be 5 months on February 2 & I too am feeling all that you are. I explained my feelings to Dr. Giles and got a very helpful response. You can read it by going to Patient Support & then Ask Dr. Giles. I’m not sure when or if I will ever full be able to move on, but for now I am taking it one day at a time. I am glad that you are able at least to dream of your Mom. I have not dreamt of Jim very often and when I do I have a hard time recalling the dreams when I wake up.

I think we have to console ourselves with the fact that our loved ones are now in a better place & no longer suffering from this terrible disease. Remember that they will be in our hearts forever. We can’t change what has happened, so we have to try not to keep beating ourselves up about it and go on. We all did the best that we could within the circumstances that we were given. I know that this is all easier said than done, but we have to keep trying, as I am sure that our loved ones would not want us to keep blaming ourselves for what we had no control over.

Take care of yourself now. I will be thinking of you & hoping that we can all get through this time of grieving as best we can. All we can do is take it one small step at a time.

Love & hugs,
Darla

David,

Glad to hear from you & that you are still with us. Keep that ATTITUDE. Stay positive & keep on fighting.

Darla

JoBeMe,

I am so sorry for your loss. Just know that she is now at peace & no longer suffering or in pain. She will be with you forever in your heart & memories. I am greatful that her passing was peaceful.

My thoughts and prayers go out to you & your family.

Love & Hugs,
Darla

Heather,

Jim also tried to keep driving, but eventually had to admit he could no longer do it. Had a few scary moments tho’!

It is hard for me to say, as Jim showed no symptoms until 2 months before he passed on & it progressed so quickly. He was not yellow until the last week or so, but he did get thinner & thinner every week, walked slower & then not at all. He also slept a lot. He could not eat much & at the end nothing stayed down & he slept most of the time which was somewhat due to the meds he was being given for pain, itching nausea etc.

I am also surprised that CTCA would make that decision without seeing him.

He is still feeling good & I assume he is still able to eat. I say keep fighting.

As a side note, our youngest son is a tattoo artist. Just before his Dad passed on he had a friend (who he taught & also worked for him for many years) tattoo a picture of his Dad on his back left shoulder. Jim was able to see it & knew what he had done. Scott will always have his Dad looking out for him. He will be his guardian angel.

I will be praying for you & Lee and everyone else here struggling with this unpredictable horrible disease.

Love & Hugs,
Darla

Lainy,

My Dad is 82 and sounds a lot like what you are seeing in Teddy. He has never had chemo or radiation. He did have seeds put in for prostate cancer several years ago, but I really don’t think that has anything to do with it. My Mom questions what is going on too, but I guess time will tell. Could just be the aging process. We all tend to get more forgetful as the years go by!

That said, I think you need to keep your focus on your fight against CC. That is the larger issue. You may want to bring it up to his doctor just to see what his thoughts are. Not sure how you can do that without Teddy being involved tho’ and you probably don’t want to worry him with this at this point. He has been so successful with fighting the CC that who needs the stress of another issue unless it becomes more of a problem. I will be hoping that isn’t the case.

Jim’s Dad had dementia and it was really hard for us. It was always a fear of Jim’s that he would also develop it as he got older. Well, that is one thing he shouldn’t have worried about as he was only 62 when he passed on. Little did we know that there was a greater monster lerking out their waiting to hit. Life sure does throw you a curve ball now & again, doesn’t it?

I am no expert & am just throwing out thoughts here. Maybe someone else out there can be of more help.

Take care Lainy & keep sending out those good reports. There is so much sadness & heartbreak on this site that it is always good to hear good news & success stories like your’s & Teddy’s.

Keep that good ATTITUDE!

Darla

Kirsten,

I will be hoping for the best for your mother-in-law with whatever treatment option she chooses to persue. You and your family also have my best wishes in dealing with her disease.

Darla