Guest guest Posted September 25, 2010 Report Share Posted September 25, 2010 I don't know if I've posted here before or not but my papaw was in perfect health until he turned 68 or so and as he says everything wetn down hill from there. His appendix burst, then he went we noticed his alzheimers was getting worse and then he went to his regular doctor and found out his psa was in the 1000s...and had already spread into his bones. The diagnosis was a little over a year ago and he's done the basic chemo and has weekly iv's that are suppose to strengthen his bones. Well currently he only knows who mamaw is no one else in the famiily and his hip has started bothering him...to the point the dr put him on morphine ( he had been on other pain meds that the family didn't know about) and was using a walker but because of the alzheimers he thought was a wheelbarrow...now he's in a wheelchair and is having another bone scan on monday. I don't know why cause we all know what they are going to find. Even my dad told my mom that he would be surprised if papaw made it to Christmas. I don't know what I am going to do....I left work crying friday then I started thinking about the good things like some people suggested and that made me cry too lol...noone that I really cared about (my other grandmother) has died in 15 years and I dont' know if I can handle this...and my poor mamaw is stressed and is his main caregiver even though the four kids and older grandkids visit each night and bring food.....Sorry for the rant but I'm so sad, and depressed... M in TN Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 25, 2010 Report Share Posted September 25, 2010 These are always difficult posts to write but we offer lots of empathy for you and your family. There seems to be lots of things affecting pawpaw. The combined effect is that one illness makes another more difficult to deal with. If you were next door I'd pop round with a cup of tea and a scone, but as it is I'm in England and there are few miles of water in the way, please have a coffee and cookie knowing I'm thinking of you. You know many of us fight for improved means of detection of prostate cancer, we want to get men to doctors sooner that when the PSA gets to 1000. Sadly the diesease is at a point where it is affecting him, and we become aware that the major sorrow being that he has significant secondary prostate cancer. Noone can say when he will pass to the place with no pain, we do know that he has a battle on and it could be sooner than later, but maybe he will fight on for a good while yet. These are times of mixed emotions, awaiting a loss, but wishing that his pain will end. One important fact seems to have been addressed, he is being given morphine adding to his comfort. His comfort is so importantat this stage. It is so right to remember life when he was well, the funny things he said, the funny things you all did, those moments that live on in your minds, the genes that live on in you and yours. There seems to be a big caring gene there! My best wishes my papaw I don't know if I've posted here before or not but my papaw was in perfect health until he turned 68 or so and as he says everything wetn down hill from there. His appendix burst, then he went we noticed his alzheimers was getting worse and then he went to his regular doctor and found out his psa was in the 1000s...and had already spread into his bones. The diagnosis was a little over a year ago and he's done the basic chemo and has weekly iv's that are suppose to strengthen his bones. Well currently he only knows who mamaw is no one else in the famiily and his hip has started bothering him...to the point the dr put him on morphine ( he had been on other pain meds that the family didn't know about) and was using a walker but because of the alzheimers he thought was a wheelbarrow...now he's in a wheelchair and is having another bone scan on monday. I don't know why cause we all know what they are going to find. Even my dad told my mom that he would be surprised if papaw made it to Christmas. I don't know what I am going to do....I left work crying friday then I started thinking about the good things like some people suggested and that made me cry too lol...noone that I really cared about (my other grandmother) has died in 15 years and I dont' know if I can handle this...and my poor mamaw is stressed and is his main caregiver even though the four kids and older grandkids visit each night and bring food.....Sorry for the rant but I'm so sad, and depressed... M in TN Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 25, 2010 Report Share Posted September 25, 2010 mmy dear i don't know what to to tell you.you are going to have to be very strong.when all looks lost sometimes strange things happen.we all want to wish you and your family good luck and your grandfather and family will be in our prayers. A lot of us are going through pretty much the same thing.in your case it looks like it's pretty much in the hands of the lord.he is not far away.so a little asking can never hurt.he needs you to be strong.good luckmay the Lord be with you and your familyjohn patrick my papaw I don't know if I've posted here before or not but my papaw was in perfect health until he turned 68 or so and as he says everything wetn down hill from there. His appendix burst, then he went we noticed his alzheimers was getting worse and then he went to his regular doctor and found out his psa was in the 1000s...and had already spread into his bones. The diagnosis was a little over a year ago and he's done the basic chemo and has weekly iv's that are suppose to strengthen his bones. Well currently he only knows who mamaw is no one else in the famiily and his hip has started bothering him...to the point the dr put him on morphine ( he had been on other pain meds that the family didn't know about) and was using a walker but because of the alzheimers he thought was a wheelbarrow...now he's in a wheelchair and is having another bone scan on monday. I don't know why cause we all know what they are going to find. Even my dad told my mom that he would be surprised if papaw made it to Christmas. I don't know what I am going to do....I left work crying friday then I started thinking about the good things like some people suggested and that made me cry too lol...noone that I really cared about (my other grandmother) has died in 15 years and I dont' know if I can handle this...and my poor mamaw is stressed and is his main caregiver even though the four kids and older grandkids visit each night and bring food.....Sorry for the rant but I'm so sad, and depressed... M in TN Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 25, 2010 Report Share Posted September 25, 2010 M;You, your family, your mamaw and especially your papaw are in my thoughts and prayers. Be strong for them. They need you more than you will ever know at this point in time. No body likes losing a loved one, but we all must go through the curtain at some point. If it is time for him to part the curtain, and go through it, then all we can do is wave good-bye, and bon voyage. If it isn't time for that to happen, then we are all there for his support.Again, be strong. You are all in my thoughts and prayers.Dan HarrimanOrange Texas dx 2/10If at first you don't succeed, maybe you shouldn't try sky diving!From: jonnorris2@... Subject: Re: my papawTo: ProstateCancerSupport Date: Saturday, September 25, 2010, 11:49 AM mmy dear i don't know what to to tell you.you are going to have to be very strong.when all looks lost sometimes strange things happen.we all want to wish you and your family good luck and your grandfather and family will be in our prayers. A lot of us are going through pretty much the same thing.in your case it looks like it's pretty much in the hands of the lord.he is not far away.so a little asking can never hurt.he needs you to be strong.good luckmay the Lord be with you and your familyjohn patrick my papaw I don't know if I've posted here before or not but my papaw was in perfect health until he turned 68 or so and as he says everything wetn down hill from there. His appendix burst, then he went we noticed his alzheimers was getting worse and then he went to his regular doctor and found out his psa was in the 1000s...and had already spread into his bones. The diagnosis was a little over a year ago and he's done the basic chemo and has weekly iv's that are suppose to strengthen his bones. Well currently he only knows who mamaw is no one else in the famiily and his hip has started bothering him...to the point the dr put him on morphine ( he had been on other pain meds that the family didn't know about) and was using a walker but because of the alzheimers he thought was a wheelbarrow...now he's in a wheelchair and is having another bone scan on monday. I don't know why cause we all know what they are going to find. Even my dad told my mom that he would be surprised if papaw made it to Christmas. I don't know what I am going to do....I left work crying friday then I started thinking about the good things like some people suggested and that made me cry too lol...noone that I really cared about (my other grandmother) has died in 15 years and I dont' know if I can handle this...and my poor mamaw is stressed and is his main caregiver even though the four kids and older grandkids visit each night and bring food.....Sorry for the rant but I'm so sad, and depressed... M in TN Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 25, 2010 Report Share Posted September 25, 2010 " rcm71499@... " wrote: > I don't know if I've posted here before or not but my papaw was > in perfect health until he turned 68 or so and as he says > everything wetn down hill from there. His appendix burst, then > he went we noticed his alzheimers was getting worse and then he > went to his regular doctor and found out his psa was in the > 1000s...and had already spread into his bones. The diagnosis > was a little over a year ago and he's done the basic chemo and > has weekly iv's that are suppose to strengthen his bones. Well > currently he only knows who mamaw is no one else in the famiily > and his hip has started bothering him...to the point the dr put > him on morphine ( he had been on other pain meds that the > family didn't know about) and was using a walker but because of > the alzheimers he thought was a wheelbarrow...now he's in a > wheelchair and is having another bone scan on monday. I don't > know why cause we all know what they are going to find. Even > my dad told my mom that he would be surprised if papaw made it > to Christmas. I don't know what I am going to do....I left > work crying friday then I started thinking about the good > things like some people suggested and that made me cry too > lol...noone that I really cared about (my other grandmother) > has died in 15 years and I dont' know if I can handle > this...and my poor mamaw is stressed and is his main caregiver > even though the four kids and older grandkids visit each night > and bring food.....Sorry for the rant but I'm so sad, and > depressed... , I'm very sorry to hear about your grandfather's condition. I expect that he's not able to benefit any more from medical help, except for pain relief. Perhaps what he most needs now is just the comfort of his own home and family. At this point, I should think that the best thing you can do is what you're already doing. Continue to visit your grandparents whenever you can. Do what you can to cheer them up. Find out if there is anything your grandmother needs that you can bring to her or do for her. It may be a comfort to them just to have you around. Your grandparents must have had a fine life and been find parents and grandparents to have such devoted children and grandchildren. It's sad when such a good life ends, but it's wonderful to have lived such a good life at all. It's a blessing that not everyone enjoys. When your grandfather goes, your grandmother may need extra love and support. She is lucky to have you and the rest of the family to rely on. I wish the very best to you and your family. Alan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 26, 2010 Report Share Posted September 26, 2010 Thank you all for the prayers and thoughts. Monday is the day my dad goes down there for supper and the rest of our family (mom, sister, brother, and niece) have decided that we are all going to start going on mondays. It does make it better for mamaw to have someone to talk to who doesn't ask the same questions over and over and to be able to talk to someone else. Plus my papaw loves his "little one" as he calls his great granddaughter. I can guarantee as he gets worse the house will be full of people to help both mamaw and him with whatever they need before and after he goes. There are 4 kids, 8 grandkids ranging from 20-30 yrs old, and one great grandchild. Plus extended great aunts, uncles, cousins, friends. It's going to be very very emotional with a long grieving time. , I'm very sorry to hear about your grandfather's condition. I expect that he's not able to benefit any more from medical help, except for pain relief. Perhaps what he most needs now is just the comfort of his own home and family. At this point, I should think that the best thing you can do is what you're already doing. Continue to visit your grandparents whenever you can. Do what you can to cheer them up. Find out if there is anything your grandmother needs that you can bring to her or do for her. It may be a comfort to them just to have you around. Your grandparents must have had a fine life and been find parents and grandparents to have such devoted children and grandchildren. It's sad when such a good life ends, but it's wonderful to have lived such a good life at all. It's a blessing that not everyone enjoys. When your grandfather goes, your grandmother may need extra love and support. She is lucky to have you and the rest of the family to rely on. I wish the very best to you and your family. Alan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 26, 2010 Report Share Posted September 26, 2010 Hi . I am very sorry to hear about your Papaw. Please know that my thoughts and prayers are with him and your family. It sounds like you have a close and loving family - that is truly a blessing. Sandy > > > I don't know if I've posted here before or not but my papaw was in perfect health until he turned 68 or so and as he says everything wetn down hill from there. His appendix burst, then he went we noticed his alzheimers was getting worse and then he went to his regular doctor and found out his psa was in the 1000s...and had already spread into his bones. The diagnosis was a little over a year ago and he's done the basic chemo and has weekly iv's that are suppose to strengthen his bones. Well currently he only knows who mamaw is no one else in the famiily and his hip has started bothering him...to the point the dr put him on morphine ( he had been on other pain meds that the family didn't know about) and was using a walker but because of the alzheimers he thought was a wheelbarrow...now he's in a wheelchair and is having another bone scan on monday. I don't know why cause we all know what they are going to find. Even my dad told my mom that he would be surprised if papaw made it to Christmas. I don't know what I am going to do....I left work crying friday then I started thinking about the good things like some people suggested and that made me cry too lol...noone that I really cared about (my other grandmother) has died in 15 years and I dont' know if I can handle this...and my poor mamaw is stressed and is his main caregiver even though the four kids and older grandkids visit each night and bring food.....Sorry for the rant but I'm so sad, and depressed... > > M in TN > > = > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You are posting as a guest. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.