Cindy,
I am sorry to hear that your dad is not doing well. I know exactly where you're going because I have been there. I remember those days of flying to Florida where my parents live from New Jersey. I remember going straight to the hospital and staying there for days on end. But, most of all, I remember just sticking it out with my dad. I, too, was daddy's little girl. Oh my goodness, my dad and I were just goo goo for each other....laugh. I am 40 now and it still bothers me tremendously that I can't call him and hear his voice. But, I take comfort in knowing that I was there for him as much as possible.
I was thinking about this yesterday....when the cancer spread to my dad's brain, he used to have problems with his peripheral vision and he would see 3 of me if I stood on his right or left, as he would put it. So, I would stand at the foot of the hospital bed and jump up and down and ask him if he still saw three of me? He would laugh so hard. He would laugh so hard when I did that. The point is that I made him laugh even though he was dying on the inside. He still laughed.
So, as you spend time with your father, talk to him and make him laugh when you can. And, if he doesn't want to laugh, just talk to him and let him hear your voice. That too, is comforting.
Do not give up hope. When it feels like all hope is gone, hang on to the hope that you have anyway. Every day is a miracle to a cancer patient and family members. Remember, the cancer can't take away the love that you and your father share, no one can.
This website got me through some rough times listening to the voices of others that have gone through similar experiences. My dad has been gone 3 years as of January 15 and I still visit this website. We all need to help each other and it should never stop....the talking and the listening.