My Brave Dad

Just needing to talk. My dad was diagnosed in 2007 and underwent the Whipple procedure then. Since then there have been  numerous radiation and chemo treatments and was off an on with lots of good days until about three months ago. More surgeries, drains and tumors and now it is very near the end. He is home with hospice and just yesterday his drains plugged. No food for over a week and no fluids today yet. Very week and sleeping all the time with very little time awake and just for a few minutes at a time. Started oral morphine last night and his drain incisions are leaking. Retired policeman, active hunter fisherman, golfer,  former boxer and sportsman. Always a man's man. Loved Westerns  and Football and his family. . Always brave, honest, decent courteous and funny. Impossibly difficult to see him reduced to this. I have also heard alot of comments about how some think chemo is a weak way to deal with it. I think after seeing his wife and my sister undergo cancer and chemo and still die from it,  he is extremely brave. It was worth it for him because he really lived life on his good days. We have said our goodbyes and all that needs to be said between father and son. So hard to let go though. We really had some good times.

Your dad does indeed sound like a brave man- but don't sell yourself short either. It sounds like you have moved through this journey in a very brave manner as well. My dad too, was diagnosed w/pc, went through a Wipple, chemo and is now doing radiation- then more chemo. It's downright scary and I'm very afraid of how to cope with things when it gets down to the end stage....YOU are so brave.

    Hello there. My name is Ian and i felt compelled to reply to your message. I lost my dad to a 10 day post op haemorrage following his whipple procedure at southampton general hospital UK he was 53. He was fit and healthy before his diagnosis and it came as a sudden shock to everyone. Although my situation was slightly different i still can't believe he has gone. My fiancee said the memory of my dad lives on in me and i truly believe that. The memory of your dad will live on in you too because you loved him and he did you.

Try and remember the good times and the sad memories of his passing will ease. I believe my dad is with me everyday in everything i do. I am so sorry you have to see your dad suffer from this disease but, you got to say goodbye and told him how much you loved him.

My thoughts are with you mate.

Take care and i am so sorry.

Ian.

I'm so sorry about your dad. Sometimes it takes a terrible illness like PC to let us see the bravery and dignity in people.