My father died...

This is to thank you for supporting and helping me.  My father passed Tuesday morning.  I was able to travel across the country to be with him Wednesday through Sunday.  He was so weak, had no strength, was sleeping almost all the time.  We enrolled him in hospice one week ago today, and he was animated that day with all the people and activity going on in his room.  He was in an adult care home, but wanted to go to his house "to say goodbye."  My brother called him on Saturday, and they had a meaningful conversation.  I said what mattered on Saturday evening.  I think he did everything he needed to do on this earth, and I just had the feeling he would die soon after.  And that's exactly what he did.  The blessings were that he was never in pain, he didn't die alone, and I got to be with him last week for four days.  I am not surprised, but I am still in shock.  I can't wrap my mind around the fact that he really and truly died.  My hand wants to dial his phone number again.  I can't call him anymore every morning and every evening.  These are things that are hard.  I want him to talk to me.  I want to talk to him again.  A voice is stilled, and I feel mixed up and empty.

Lung cancer.  Do everything you can.  People, stop smoking NOW.  Take care of yourselves.  Cherish your health and that of your dear ones.  I miss my father.  I cannot believe he no longer shares this world with me.  I wrote his obituary yesterday and am planning his memorial service.  That all seems very strange.  I just want to call him up and hear him say, "I love you, honey."  God bless you all.

Oh Maggie I am so very sorry! I know it's very hard to lose a parent. I am glad you were able to visit him. It sounds like he was at peace with going.

For you it will take some time. May God watch over you and your family and bring you lots of happier times.

{Hugs}, Hali

I lost my dad to stage IV lung cancer last wednesday May 27 at 63. I'm still in a state of grief/shock. It progressed so quickly from his diagnoses on March 5. He tried chemo, didn't work, tried tarceeva, didn't work. When they told him he had to go into palliative care, he knew he was in serious trouble. He stayed positive right up until the end. Telling jokes to the doctors and nurses and keeping everyone's spirits light. He contracted MRSA in the hospital, he had a drain in his lung because of the fluid build-up. I think that expedited the process. My wedding was supposed to be May 31... we will reschedule. I miss him so much and the grief is raw. I feel his spirit is around me, loving and protecting me. I'm crying now as I right this. We will get through this, somehow, some way. It's what Dad would have wanted. Take Care, you are not alone.

i amso sorry for you . i lost my dad in september to a brai injury caused from a fall 10 months earlier. he really didn't know us after the fall,but he was 77 years old and was riding a motorcycle up to the day he fell,so he lived a goo life. my parents were divorced for many years in november my mom started complaining of not feeling well,after two visits in december to her primary care doctorand him saying she was fine she was diagnosed january 5 at the emergency room with lung cancer. she had surgery to remove half of her lung february 19 and we were told they could not get it all and that further treatment would not contribute to a quqlity of life.at her request 2 weeks ago she started on tarceva (her neighbor has been on it ) we go back in 3 weeks to see if there is any change in her catscan although in my opinion her doctor only gave it to her to placate her.i hope i am wrong. my mom does not want to know the prognosis but since i plan to move her in with me i want to know the worst case scenario. if anyone has any contributions of what to expect please let me know

                                                         thnnks