We got the test results today.
Today we found out that dad has small cell (oat) cancer. And if he doesn't do anything he has maybe 3 months. If he can handle the chemo in his frail state maybe a little longer.I had to have a case manager at my work get nasty with the oxygen company to get him a portable tank delivered today. (After hearing the news I just could not deal with it) The only way we can even think about taking him out of the house. He is now oxygen dependent 24/7 with a room air sat of 82%.
In just 2 months my families life has been turned upside down and inside out it feels.
He is in constant pain from the liver and lung cancer and where they did the biopsy of his lung. They have changed his pain meds 3 times in the last 1 1/2 weeks.
Due to not getting portable oxygen till later today and him being to weak to go out of the house. The doctor had to call and tell my mother over the phone. Dad is hard of hearing and would not have been able to hear. I found out while I was at work when the surgeon called me to give me the news. We have not told dad the prognosis. We feel if we do he will just give up. He said that he would try the chemo but didn't know if he would be able to stand it.
I went today and got a wheelchair (hidden to him) so when we need it. And a pulse ox to keep an eye on his oxygen saturation.
Mom is holding everything in and I am afraid that she is just going to explode at some point. That is the way that she has always been though. I on the other hand show my emotions and have cried till I think I can't no more.....but I always do.
Wanted to let my friends know the results. Now I'm going to go and watch tv with my father.
Comments (4)
I pray your Dad finds comfort and pain-free strength and the rest of your family as well.
We were told 3 months last week but the cancer doctor told us today it more around 1 month.
Thank you Jim for your thoughts and words. But we are hoping that the chemo will give him a little while longer. I work in a hospital and did not want to do Hospice till he saw the cancer doctor.
Right now my/our main thing is to try and keep dad pain free. His liver is quite enlarged and hard as a rock! Hoping that the chemo will shrink it some so that eating is not as bad for him.
My father drank some in his younger years. But can't say that I've ever seen him drink. It just has went from his lungs to his liver.
Cancer is such a hard thing to see someone you love go through. I have gotten many e mails from people that has seen their loved ones go through this. I thank you all for taking the time to write me and share you stories with me. It does mean a lot to me.
Shirley