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SLT

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Posts posted by SLT

    Keith Alan Kubesch my soulmate, my lover, my friend

    in GRIEF

    Posted

    Carleen,

    I am so very, very sorry to hear this news. The love you and Keith shared is an inspiration to us all and I pray that you find the strength to get through the days ahead. I pray you find comfort in knowing that Keith is no longer suffering.

    Please take care of yourself. You are in the hearts, minds, and prayers of so many, many people.

    Sherri

    My dear Dad has left us

    in GRIEF

    Posted

    Sadly, my Dad passed away quickly and peacefully on Wednesday, May 3rd. It took me awhile to get back online as I've been with my mother the past 12 days and I didn't have internet access. When I last posted, Mom had called to tell me Dad had come down with the flu the day before. He vomited dark blood and she took him to the emergency and they admitted him. No one led her to believe that he was in serious condition, so she went home around 10pm that night to get some rest. She made phone calls first thing in the morning to her kids to let us know about Dad's flu. She then went to the hospital and they informed her that Dad wasn't good and that she should prepare herself. Dad was on blood thinners due to having a previous leg clot a few weeks earlier. Something gave in his upper GI track and because his blood was so thin, there was nothing they could do to stop the bleed. When my mother called to tell me, I was in a complete state of shock. It was the longest 1 hour 45 minute drive of my life. Dad passed away so quickly that I couldn't make it there in time to say goodbye. :cry: My brother, sister, and mother were by his side and they told him to hold on for me and my other brother to get there, but he just couldn't hold on. I cried so hard when I got there and found out I was too late. He died so fast there was no possible way I could have gotten there in time. It was heartbreaking for me not to say goodbye to my father, but I know Dad heard my goodbyes from heaven. I know my Dad knew how much I loved him.

    I wanted to tell you how Dad died because I had just updated you all on how well he was doing. I don’t want anyone to lose hope…Dad died of a complication of the cancer, not the actual cancer. I do feel thankful that Dad died quickly and peacefully. He wouldn’t have wanted to linger and suffer. We had a beautiful funeral service for Dad that was kept upbeat and more of a celebration of the great life he lived. My sister and I did the tribute and then we played a video of pictures of Dad through his life to the music of Josh Grobin – You Raise me up. I know Dad is in a better place and he is now free from his cancer.

    Thank you all for your prayers and support. Dad fought the good fight. The LCSC Community has been such a blessing to me during the past 2 years. May you all keep up the hope and keep fighting the good fight.

    Sherri

    The roller coaster is dipping... :(

    in CAREGIVER RESOURCE CENTER

    Posted

    I just wrote a post about Dad having good scans and recovering well from a blood clot in his leg. I was breathing a sigh of relief...his medications were under control and he was working on getting his energy back and then…

    Just when things were settling down some, my Mom calls this morning to tell me Dad is back in the hospital. :( They think he has the flu...he had diarrhea non-stop yesterday and by supper time he started throwing up. Mom said there was black blood. There is an intestinal flu going around so I guess it could be the flu...but where is the blood coming from??!! Dads on Warfarin blood thinners due to a clot...don't know if this is causing him to bleed from something easier?? They checked him in the hospital immediately and I'm waiting to hear from mom again this morning to find out what’s going. Dad was dehydrated by the time they got him in the hospital and they hooked him up to an IV. He was telling mom he felt so bad he didn't think he would make the night. Dad has always been the picture of health..no flu's...nothing. He doesn't know how to deal with being sick.

    I'm 2 hours away with two small children so I can't just hop in the car and go. I need to wait and find out. I have three other siblings that are close by…I just feel so helpless sometimes. Does anyone know what black blood indicates??

    Sherri

    New member; partner with NSCLC

    in INTRODUCE YOURSELF!

    Posted

    Welcome Gloria.

    My Dad is also Stage IV NSCLC with mets and he just made 2 years after being given 9-12 months. I was so happy when that "timeline" was surpassed so Dad could stop thinking about it and just keep on living! He has had good quality of life the past 2 years. Please let your partner know that she shouldn't follow timelines and there is plenty of reason to hope!

    Take care,

    Sherri

    Mom's Results Sucked :(

    in CAREGIVER RESOURCE CENTER

    Posted

    Missy, I am so sorry your family is faced with this. I know the feeling of one minute you feel like you can breathe a sigh of relief that things are stable and then without preparation a major disappointment comes along and knocks the wind out of your sails. It's such a tough road and hard decision for your family to have to make.

    Take care,

    Sherri

    He's Gonna Fight

    in NSCLC GROUP

    Posted

    Welcome Beth :)

    I'm glad to hear your going to fight. Statistics really are meaningless! My dad is one of many here living beyond expectation. There is always reason to hope. Let us know how things go!

    Sherri

    WBR update and 2 YEARS for dad!!

    in CAREGIVER RESOURCE CENTER

    Posted

    Thank you all for the really helpful advice with ways to improve how we administer Dad's meds. I really do think it's a control issue with Dad. I guess it's hard for someone who has been able to do everything for themself their whole life to hand over control. Not to mention, when he was diagnosed with the brain met, he was told he couldn't drive - that was bad enough!!

    ztweb: WBR is whole brain radiation...should have spelled it out atleast once...sorry! :)

    Thanks again everyone. :)

    Sherri

    WBR update and 2 YEARS for dad!!

    in CAREGIVER RESOURCE CENTER

    Posted

    Good morning everyone!

    Well my Dad has officially made it 2 years since diagnosis! This board has had some sad news the past week which just makes my heart ache, but I do have good news to report today. :D

    First, I have to be so thankful that after 2 years, I'm lucky enough to still have my father with us. It really goes to show statistics mean nothing! Dad was given 9 - 12 months to live. He was diagnosed at 72 so he opted for "quality of life" and chose not to undergo harsh treatment. So he had radiation to the tumour and attempted Navelbine 1.5 years ago and had to stop due to temporary bowel paralysis. Other than that - he's had little treatment. He has played lots of golf for two summers and has played in a pool league the past two winters. I'm so thankful we've had Dad longer than expected and he has had good quality of life in the past 2 years. The brain lesion has been a major setback, but were fighting our way through that...

    It has been about 5 weeks since Dad completed WBR. I have to say, it really knocked Dad for a loop. It drained every last morsel of energy from Dad's body and at the same time Dad's legs started swelling. Well, one leg ended up HUGE and the next thing we know, he has a blood clot in his leg. So he was treated for that. During all of this, Dad was getting a lot of pain in his legs and started over medicating himself. He was nodding off all day long and could not sleep at night and would just roam. He got really, really dopey and we began to wonder what the radiation actually did to his brain. Well, he had to be hospitalized to get his leg straightened away and as soon as they started controlling Dad's medication, the old Dad we know and love returned. He was completey over medicated and his brain is actually working just fine!!

    Well the good news is this...he had a brain, chest and abdomen scan done. The lesion in his head has shrunk significantly and there is nothing new showing on the chest and abdomen scan! YEAH!! :D Dad's legs are no longer swollen and he's starting to get back on his feet and trying to regain some strength. Hopefully, Dad can start Tarceva soon! We will also discuss using SRS on whats left of the brain lesion at Dad's next oncology appt.

    I do have a question...have any caregivers had problems administering pills to their loved ones?? Dad insists he can do it for himself and we've realized that he shouldn't be. He won't listen to my mother at all! I created a daily spreadsheet that he can record times he takes meds and printed him off a bunch of sheets, but that only worked until he was too dopey to know what he was doing!! He's aware of the mess he got himself into recently, but who's to say it won't happen again? He doesn't want to give up his independence and he's so stubborn!!

    Thanks for reading. :)

    Sherri

    Mom Rosie is now an angel, in heaven

    in GRIEF

    Posted

    Jodi, I am so sorry for the loss of your mother. You can always know in your heart that you were there for your mother in her fight with cancer right until the very end. I pray you and your family find the strength needed to help you through the days ahead.

    Sherri

    A Very Long Week

    in CAREGIVER RESOURCE CENTER

    Posted

    I can't totally relate to your post. My Dad was such a vital and strong man busy playing sports and arguing about politics. Now, he's so weak he can hardly move about the house and he's so medicated he can hardly hold a conversation anymore. It's really hard to see. We all want our loved ones to stay with us and keep fighting.

    I'm glad you all had a nice Easter together with your Dad and try and create as many memories as possible.

    Take care,

    Sherri

    I believe in miracles....

    in CAREGIVER RESOURCE CENTER

    Posted

    I'm glad to hear about the day you had with your mother. That is an amazing turn-around and it must have felt so good to see her up and talking. I hope that she continues to improve. This disease is just the worst up and down roller coaster ride ever, isn't it!?

    Prayers for you and your Mom.

    Sherri

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