What To Expect

My Dad was diagnosed with brain cancer mets secondary to prostate and bone cancer, this happened 2 weeks ago while Mom was in hospital recovering from a stroke.

I am the only relative they have and I live 50 miles away with a full time job (which I only satrted 4 months ago). Dad is coming home to hospice care, he has to stay in the city where he lives due to his insurance (and Mom's) being out of network ift hey were to move to my county.I am married and have a home so me moving there is not possible.

I have hired a caregiver 24/7 for both of them, but am not sure what to expect, my Dad is doing ok at the moment, decadron is keeping swelling in the brain down and he is pretty 'with it' and can walk a little on a walker, he has a catheter in place.

I just do not know what to do as both parents need care, I am driving 9 hours a week to take Mom to appointments and make sure they have all they need, I really need to know how this will progress and what to expect.

Any advice is welcome, I feel so alone in this.

 

On 3/14/2008 andrina wrote:

My Dad was diagnosed with brain cancer mets secondary to prostate and bone cancer, this happened 2 weeks ago while Mom was in hospital recovering from a stroke.

I am the only relative they have and I live 50 miles away with a full time job (which I only satrted 4 months ago). Dad is coming home to hospice care, he has to stay in the city where he lives due to his insurance (and Mom's) being out of network ift hey were to move to my county.I am married and have a home so me moving there is not possible.

I have hired a caregiver 24/7 for both of them, but am not sure what to expect, my Dad is doing ok at the moment, decadron is keeping swelling in the brain down and he is pretty 'with it' and can walk a little on a walker, he has a catheter in place.

I just do not know what to do as both parents need care, I am driving 9 hours a week to take Mom to appointments and make sure they have all they need, I really need to know how this will progress and what to expect.

Any advice is welcome, I feel so alone in this.

Hi!  I don't have any advice, just maybe a few words of encouragement. I can only imagine what you are going through.Distance does make things more difficult especially when both parents are sick. my heart goes out to you, to any one who is a caregiver to someone they love.I myself am a patient and my wife is my caregiver. I know it's harder to care for someone than to be the one cared for. I don't know how my wife does it,I am DX with metRCC, I also have a 15 yr old son 2 grown children and 1 grand-daughter 4 yrs old.We can't predict the future,but we can our trust in the one who knows all things. my prayers will be for your parents and for you,that God will give you the strength you need to do all you have to do                                       Take Care& God Bless        John