The cancer is taking Dads personality away....

Kat2546 · New User Joined: 13 Sep 2007 Posts: 2

Hi All,

I have been reading everyones stories for quite some time now but this is the first time I have posted....

My Dad is my best friend... he is such a gentle loving man... I am soo lucky to have him in my life... He has battled with cancer for soo many years now. He started off by getting colon cancer which was treated very aggresivley by way of chemo and radio therepy.. they tried to reduce the cancer as much as possible before he had the operation to remove it... Luckily he didnt have to have the bag attached to him. He had a very hard time receovering from the operation as they didnt sew him up properly and his blood turned septic... thank God he pulled through.

He was "cancer free" for about 1.5 to 2 years.... I felt like we were so naive in thinking he was free... the Dr's told us that they were very happy with everything and they didnt even talk about the cancer coming back....

When it came back it had spread to his liver and lung.... we were soo devestated.... and Dad couldnt beleive that he was going to have to start all the treatments again... apparetnly he doesnt qualify for a liver resection or transplant and it is classed as Stage 2.... Dad has been on chemo ever since the cancer came back..... he hates the drugs.... he hates being looked after adn thinks he is a burden on us... but our family love Dad sooo much... even strangers comment on how beutiful his personality is. He has the most amazing aura about him.... the chemo has taken a real toll on him.... and i feel powerless to do anything about it except for spend as much time with him as possible.....

Latley with the most recent new chemo he is on... it seems like the man I see is only a shadow of who he really is.... he is depressed and doesnt talk much anymore .... it seems like his "light" is switched off.... I just feel sooo powerless.... I think the cancer for my Dad has been soo much more of a mental hit than a physical one... I hate seeing him suffer...

I am scared. I dont know how long we have left with him.... the Dr's dont like giving estimates.....i dont know how life would function without him...

How long can someone live with secondary cancer???........ I dont think he will ever be able to come off the chemo....

I hope someone out there can give me a little clarity.....

I hope that everyone out there finds the strength to keep fighting and those who dont have cancer I hope you find the strength to keep being strong for your loved ones....

Cheers
Kat

brainman

Kat, I am so sorry that your father's cancer has recurred. I have no idea about a prognosis for him Confused

I know you must be very worried. I can say that you should try to enjoy everyday you have with him but you sound like you already do that. You sound like a very loving daughter. Keep working with his medical team to help find relief for his symptoms.

I will the thinking about and praying for you and your father.
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Site Administrator and long-term cancer survivor
1992 Astrocytoma grade 2, left motor strip
2005 Recurrence this time said to be an Oligodendoglioma grade 3, same location.
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In

Hi kat,

I'm sorry to hear about your dad. It must be very scary and sad for you, to watch him and think of how he once was. Don't stop fighting for him. Work with his medical team and do what you can for him. Remember the good times and even talk to him about those times. (not as if you are trying to remember him- or reminising.) There is always light at the tunnel- or in your case a spark/twinkle in his eye. Which will hopefuly return.

Sometimes everyone needs to feel a little sorrow, sadness for themselves. But with someone in your corner- watching your back- punching your punches for you- you keep on going.

I am thinking of you and your dad.

Inica.
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Thinking of you Inica

*Administrator*

~Nose Cancer~
~Car Accident- Broken Back, Ribs, Spleen
Sternum~
~Continous Cervical Cancer~

My Story-
http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?t=6731

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cptmac · Regular Joined: 19 Apr 2007 Posts: 41

For his personality change, check his medications. When I was in treatment, I took raglan. It caused me to have medically induced Parkinsons, that can change your personality.

Make sure you let his doctor know. You can look up all the drugs on the internet and look at their side effects. My doctor thought my new relaxed attitude was normal for someone dx with Stage IV. My husband looked up all the side effects and helped my doctor help me.

Hope this helps

Kat2546 · New User Joined: 13 Sep 2007 Posts: 2

Thank you all for your reply... Smile

I really appreciate it.... I guess I just need to keep being positive (thanks for throwing back into that mindset)... which I usually am but every now and again I get a bit sad and negative about things....

When I am with Dad I always talk about the things we have done together and reminded him about all the good times....

Thanks for your startling advise about medication induced Parkinsons... I will check it out next time he seees his oncologist... I always feel like we are soo rushed in the appointments but next time I will make sure I ask all the questions I need to.....

Thanks again...
Kat

Very Happy

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