Well yesterday we made a visit to Dad's doctor to find out the results of a CAT Scan he had two weeks ago.....
The news was not good...Dad has now been diagnosed with inoperable Cancer in his lungs and there is nothing that the doctors can do to remove them...they are huge and aggressive... The doctor told us that when you have cancer/tumors in your lungs you feel no pain because the lung has no nerves to react to the cancer unless it breaks through the wall of the lung and goes into the space between the rib cage...so by the time the cancer is diagnosed it is usually too large and has too much of a hold for anything to be done.
The doctor told Dad he will have symptoms of breathlessness and may cough some blood in the latter stages of his cancer...he will be given palliative care like oxygen and pain management when he gets to that stage so we know that the wonderful caring nursing staff at the This Manor, where he lives, will take care of him and see to all his needs.... This cancer is "the seeds" from the cancer Dad had removed from his bowel (a major part of the bowel was actually removed and he now has a bag attached to a stoma) over two years ago now...
When Dad said to the Doctor "How long can i expect to be here Doc?" ...the doctor said .... "Well George i don't think you will be around at Christmas"...
We both had a bit of a cry in his surgery and then a laugh about knocking ourselves out filling up the next few months...we will have some wonderful experiences to remember i am sure as we tick off all the things on Dad's Bucket List ....
Just look at that beautifully aged, mischievous face... (he has a hand full of thorn less Blackberries there)
This is his gorgeous sister Ruby who he had not seen for many years...she came to visit him this year ...
He loves his family..... a photo of all of us together...that is my sister Julie ..you can tell we are all related ...
Ever the joker....he fell in love with this hat at Salamanca Market in November this year...(no we didn't buy it) He hadn't been to Hobart for years and never been to Salamanca in all his 84 years!!!
True Character...yes he is!!! Probably thinking up some more mischief....
How happy and proud does he look here... that is Baby Arliss just 4 days old..His great grandson...
No wheel chair ever kept this Dad of mine from helping pick peaches... i didn't have to bend ..he picked the bottom branches for me... He actually worked right up until the day he went into hospital for his 1st cancer operation...and still does what he can.... when he can....
We LOVE you dad and the next few months will be packed with things you want to do...
Oh that is so sad. I like the first photo best. They say we end up with the face we deserve, so your dad must be a good guy. He reminds me of my late dad, with the shirt and the glasses case in the top pocket.
ReplyDeleteA really special post Nettie, want to give you a little hug. Hope you and your Dad (and family) make lots of sweet and tender memories together in the coming months.
ReplyDeletexx
H
Sorry to hear the news. I hope you are able to share some more wonderful times together in the near future.
ReplyDeleteOh Annette, you and your Dad are so alike and he has the most gorgeous smile. I am sure you and he will treasure every day you spend together, he obviously adores you and his large and ever growing family. You have some lovely memories and more to create! xx
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry to hear your news.
ReplyDeleteI've been through all this and send you my love.
E njoy the good days.
Chrisartist