Dad has cancer - how to cope?

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Thu Jan 22, 2009 5:28 am

Oh man. So, my Dad is still in the hospital from his surgery on 1/6 and on Monday night, he had a massive heart attack. I was there for the whole thing...A-line, quickie will, doctors everywhere asking if he wants to be recuscitated should he die on the table, etc. It was all very surreal.

Now I'm just trying to hang in there. My whole life right now consists of sleeping, going to work, and going to the hospital. I'm really tired and now I'm trying to fight off some kind of bug in my throat. Getting sick is the last thing I need right now because I wouldn't feel comfortable visiting my Dad in the hospital if I were sick.

My anxiety has been 95% under control now that I'm stabilized on my increased dosage of Celexa but I can feel the stress taking it's toll on my subconscious. I can't believe this is all happening...I think most of me is in denial but at least once a day, I break down. I've been slacking on the program (again) but have enrolled in a meditation course that starts tonight.

Anyhow, thanks for listening. Please pray for my Daddy.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Thu Jan 22, 2009 9:18 am

Wow that is so much to deal with!!! My prayers are with you and your Dad right now, please keep us posted and lean on us!!!!

Tara

Megun · Post by **Megun** » Fri Jan 23, 2009 3:48 am

missgsr- I feel your struggles. Dealing with the same thing with my father-in-law now. And as worried as I am about him and my husband it scares me that anxiety will return. I'm here for you and thinking of you and your fam.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Thu Feb 05, 2009 8:10 am

missgsr-----how is your Dad doing now??? I've been thinking of you!

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Fri Feb 06, 2009 12:38 am

missgsr - My prayers are with you and your family. How is your father doing? I spent all last year dealing with my mom's Stage III mestatic breast cancer. I went through counseling, this program (which truly helped keep my anxiety under control) and a leave of absence from work to take care of her. It's hard, but you have a whole support system on this site.

Good Luck,
Lisa

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Wed Feb 18, 2009 7:51 am

I am so sorry that you are going through this. I lost my father to colon cancer on 9/22/08 after his diagnosis in June 2008. You cannot believe how much I miss him. I was very close to my father. There is a but in here. But, I was with him the night before he crossed over. We talked, we held each others hands, I told him what a great father he is, how much I appreciate all that he did for me and so much more. I spent as much time as time would allow me to spend with him. I called him everyday and my weekends and after work was mostly spent with him. I am so glad that I did all that I could for him while he was with us. I have other siblings that did not and they have regret now. It was very hard to see my father such a strong and healthy man become so thin and frail. Cancer is a terrible disease and I hate that word. But, here is another but, I decided to give back and have become a volunteer for the Hospice of the Palm Beaches. They were so wonderful while my father was battling this terrible and ugly disease. So, hang in there, go to counseling (I did), pray, exercise to take care of yourself, sleep and eat right. Your immune system is low at this time so you will need all the energy you muster up. Bless you and your family during this difficult time. Leopolda.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sun Feb 22, 2009 3:59 pm

I know exactly what you are going through, I just lost my dad to lung cancer it was and still is devastating. Nothing can prepare you for the loss of a parent. Like someone said spend as much time as you can with him. My dad lived 3 weeks to his diagnoses and those 3 weeks I spend as much time as time and kids would allow and those days will always be precious. My heart goes out to you.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sun Feb 22, 2009 4:10 pm

My thoughts and prayers are with you and yours. I lost my father to cancer, and have been through 2 rounds with my stepfather. I know the emotional toll it takes on loved ones, and send my support and prayers.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sun Feb 22, 2009 4:46 pm

am sorry to hear about your father.the word cancer takes everything out of us.only God knows when our time is up.the drs. perdict when and sometimes they might be right.in 2004 I had skin cancer on the left side of my face,over my ear and inside my ear.I almost lost my ear but have a little of my ear left.I did nt have to have chemo or radation and I thinked God for that.
what I would do if I was you is spend as much time with your dad as you can.if you have a sore throat then please wear a mask so that if you are sick he won't get it.
I know that its hard to lose your dad.we will pray that it will be easier for you to accept and you know that God heals people of many things.I can vouche as being healed many times.if you get a chance please read my profile.
know that you are in our thoughts and prayers and God Bless you and give you strength.take care and keep us posted.
don