Good morning to you @Anastasia . Actually I finally got around to chasing up a couple of your threads, so I know a little more of your reasons for coming here now. Please do not ever feel obliged to respond immediately (or at all if you dont wish to) to any posts of mine. I know how time can be at such a premium when you have so much happening all around you. I tend to use my phone more now too, which is a relatively new thing for me. In fact I only got a smart phone a bit over a year ago, having always stuck with the old clunker fliptop until it finally died a natural death and I was thus forced to upgrade a little. I now have a very basic smart phone, which is just fine by me. Although its small and if I have a lot to write, I always wait until I can access my PC. I am a touch typist, so find tiny little phone keys very frustrating. So I get all that.
Yes, it was awful how mum died. She hung on for a long time, ignoring major symptoms until it was all too late to do anything about it. As a family, we were all dealing with another major tragedy in the death of my brothers only daughter in a car accident. She was only 11 at the time, and Mums only granddaughter. So we were all dealing with her loss, and also the serious injuries of her Dad at the same time. When Mum finally sought treatment, the breast cancer had spread and she never wanted any aggressive treatment anyway. A mastectomy only delayed the inevitable, especially when she had other serious health issues which exacerbated her condition. And basically she was heartbroken anyway, so I think she wanted to go by then. It was terribly sad though, because she refused any help at home, despite clearly not coping for many months before she died.
Yes hubby had really aggressive cancer treatment initially, which did work against the melanoma. But immunotherapy was relatively new treatment and still in experimental stages when he commenced. They warn people these days of some of the serious side effects that can occur, especially for younger patients. Often living with irreversible auto-immune issues for a long period of time, can be really debilitating. And of course hubby had to develop one of the rarest side effects discovered so far ... we almost lost him when the cancer treatment caused inflamation in his brain (immune mediated encephalitis). He spent a month in hospital, with nobody knowing what was going on. All the while unable to communicate, walk, eat or anything else for that matter. He did not know me, and was like a totally different person. They told me several times to 'make arrangements'. But once they knew what was going on, appropriate treatment helped quite quickly. But he has sustained some permanent brain damage as a result.
It sounds as though your Dad is going pretty well so far, being in good spirits and remaining positive can make a huge difference. Its sad though isnt it, when you give them a hug and they feel so frail and thin .. fragile. He can still be your rock though, as well as your Mums. I'm glad your parents live nearby and you are able to spend as much time with them as needed and wanted. My Dad still lives at home, but misses my Mum very much. He is not coping very well lately, after experiencing a couple of mini strokes. His mobility is very poor with some joint and arthritis issues on top of other things. Mentally he is good though. He used to be a heavy drinker, but has not been drinking much at all more recently. Thankfully, because it would likely mean falls if he did.
You are dealing with so much around your son arent you? His diagnosis is a little scary, so its little wonder you sometimes feel overwhelmed by it all. Such a huge resonsibility for you. Of course we always wish the very best for our loved ones, and its super hard if we see them suffering so much. Do I understand you correctly that your son is hoping to go back as a hospital admission, maybe next week? I hope thats the case ... the more we can find out, the better off we are. Information and awareness is so valuable. Oh dear .. try to keep a hold of those glimmers of hope you have. With the correct diagnoses and care, your son can lead a normal and happy life. So maintain hope for that ... please.
I'm happy that you have found the forums so helpful since you arrived here. They have rescued me too, for which I am very grateful. So true ... there are many beautiful members here, each dealing with their own issues, but still reaching out to help so many others. Its really lovely to see, and I consider myself very fortunate to be here too.
I had a baked chicken dinner on Saturday night, which was nice. Yeah I cheated too and got a Coles BBQ chicken. Occasionally I buy a roast pork from there too. They seem to do them better than what I can cook myself. And so much easier. Last night I did rump steak and veges. Tonight I will likely use the left over chicken meat and make up a nice chicken, vege and pasta soup. Good way to use up left over chicken and whatever veges I have available in the fridge.
The jewellery making sounds like a nice thing to do. Love those little glass id trinkets. Yes I also love the sound of rain. Though it did not rain overnight last night, but it has started here now. Will likely rain off and on all day today now.
Footy ... I follow the Canberra Raiders in the NRL and the Sydney Swans in the AFL. I do like the Tigers however, and I have seen them live once when they played the Swans. I have only ever lived in NSW or ACT.
Catch you again another day. Hope today is one of your better ones. 💕😊
Emelia 🌸
