jennifers

I’m so sorry for what you are going through Isisman. I hope you can find peace in the fact that Tad is no longer suffering from what truly is an ugly cancer. I am thinking and praying for you and your kids…

Jen

Andrea – our fathers are SO similar! He seems to be at the same point as your Dad, and I want you know know I am going through the same things that you are, minus the second opinions. Dad has slowed a lot the last little while and though he isn’t saying so, I know he’s lost a lot of weight. Definitely under 130 lbs. now. He also refuses to have a nurse come to the house. He figures he’s still able to get up and around on his own so there’s no point in bothering them. They call weekly and that’s good enough for him at this point. I think he is having a bit more pain now at times, and sleeps quite a bit during the day. Dad has also taken care of his funeral arrangements and has made sure the “house” stuff is taken care of, or that Mom knows how to handle it.
It’s a tough time for us, as daughters…. my Dad is my hero and seeing him sick breaks my heart daily. I know, however, that he needs to know that when it’s his time, we are going to be able to accept it and realize how lucky we’ve been to have the time we HAVE had with him, considering when he was first diagnosed we believed it would be a lot less. This is what I’m working on right now… acceptance. Not an easy thing, but I’ll get there… I hope!

Gavin – I want to thank you for sharing all your insight about your Dad. I can say that it somehow helps to know that you are still here, doing well, and helping others that are going through the same things you did. You’ve really helped me immensely since Dad’s diagnosis in January – right from your very first post to me my first time here, welcoming me and telling me a bit of your own story. So, thank you!

Jen

So glad to hear from you Kris – thinking of you often and really REALLY hoping the tube inside the tube works for you, and you start feeling better very soon.

You wanted us to tell loved ones what they mean to you, and I want you to know that you are included on that list for me – reading your posts and laughing, smiling and crying while reading them all over the last several months has helped me a great deal in dealing with everything I have faced with Dad… YOU mean a lot to me… and so many others.

Thinking and praying for you and Hans.

Jen

Nick,
I am so very very sorry for what you are going through. My father was diagnosed in January with stage 4 and is also 59 so I can relate to the shock you are feeling. I am so sorry that it’s been such a short time for you, and that he is not doing well. I don’t have a lot to add to what others have said, however I do think hospice would do wonders to help you and your family cope. Please know that I (and so many others) are thinking and praying for you and your family. Spend as much time with your precious Dad as possible, and let him know how much you love him… I hope you can all find some peace in the days to come…. please continue to let us know how you and your father are doing.

Hugs, thoughts and prayers coming your way…

Jen

I think it’s a wonderful dream and you should read into it as much as you want! I hope it brought you a bit of peace… and I hope for many more lovely dreams in the future!

Jen

Thinking about you both – I hope the procedure shows only good things and he is home (and eating) very soon!

Jen

I love your updates Lainy… they always make me smile through the tears brimming in my eyes. You are such an amazing lady, and Teddy is so very lucky. I love that he isn’t afraid, and finding peace with what is to come, and I can imagine the wonderful baby face he makes in his sleep… my brand new baby nephew makes it all the time (although, unlike Teddy, I’m pretty sure Brandon’s is a relief smile after every fart – HA)!!

I hope she’s homely too – or even better, I hope it’s a man!

Thinking of you both, always!

Jen

Ironbark – what a tough position you are in. As the daughter of the patient myself, I can understand where you are coming from. Luckily my parents are very open about everything going on with Dad, and want us to know everything said and done to help prepare us for what’s to come. My sister is also a nurse, and has helped immensely in the ways you are talking about. She goes to the appointments with Mom and Dad, and often thinks of questions that the rest of us never would. She also writes down questions for Dad to ask. It’s a good point that could be brought up to her – I think Lainy is right about talking to her – hopefully it helps.

Good luck… I’m thinking of you and your family – it’s a tough enough journey as it is for us “kids”, you don’t need the added stress of not knowing everything that is actually going on to make it more difficult on you.

Jen