Dementia and Cancer

[turmoil]

Hello

I have not posted lately due to being busy with parents and uncle ect. You know where I am coming from as I think we are all the same, stretched to the limit lol.

Thought I should update re Dad who is 80, blind, mixed dementia. I posted that they had found gall bladder cancer when they removed his gall bladder, I felt he had been swept to one side as we only found out about the cancer by a routine visit to his blood doctor, anyhow after me chasing up we were asked to go to the next town to the oncology unit.

We saw a lovely specialist who had a team to help with the diagnosis, however I have always been a common sense kind on person like my Dad I guess.

They believe there is still some cancer there and in a well person major surgery would be done to remove part of liver, bile duct and small bowel, the specialist said in a healthy person this would be hard to cope with, I have always felt that if Dad had surgery it would be the end of quality of life for him, thankfully the specialist agreed with me, although we knew it was Dads decision but I did not believe Dad could understand the whole picture, anyway to get to the point Dad is not having surgery.
He said he did not want to end up loosing what independance he had.

Thankfully, he has forgotten all about this now and life goes on as before with me taking him out every day and him saying he never goes anywhere!!!

Love and strength to all

Turmoil

 

[starryuk]

Turmoil,
I am sorry to hear about your dad's cancer diagnosis. You were certainly all wise in deciding against surgery. I would want the same for my mum.

My dad died with cancer, and managed, tired, but with little pain until his final week when he took to his bed and the morphine. He was very brave.

All the best

 

[turmoil]

Thank you starryuk

Your post came at the right time as a OT rang me to see how Dad was doing, yesterday and whilst she did not openly say it I got the feeling she thought that I had made the decision and not my Dad, maybe I did direct him down the no surgery route but it was definately for his best interest and not mine. Her call just made me question the decision.

I would not want anyone to go through such major surgery with so many other health issues the risk is too great, your post reaffirmed my belief that the correct decision has been made.

Turmoil