what ups and downs
We found out yesterday that my very active, fit, mountain-biking 64yr old dad has been diagnosed with prostate cancer. Just too too much of this horrible disease around. He told D and I last of all, as he felt that we had enough on our plates....even considered not telling us...so glad he did. I know that this cancer has one of the highest rates of survival, and I shouldn't feel too worried about him at this moment....bone scans and MRIs pending...I don't know, I just no longer feel surprised by bad news.
We were also contacted by the team in Cambridge to say the trial has been brought forward, and it seems D and I will be going to Cambridge on 10th November for him to be consented, and then getting started on the 16th. The sooner the better as far as we're concerned. Let's get those tumours shrinking.....And, D has, as of today, slept for 6 nights lying down in bed!!!! Sure he's woken a couple of times and sat on the side of the bed for a minute or 2, but in the main he's been comfortable in bed. It could be the effects of the radiotherapy, or, alternatively, the fact that the Macmillan nurse suggested he took a lorazepam (a relaxant type thing) along with his bedtime painkillers. So lovely to have my D to cuddle in the night!
What emotions are whirling around in my mind at this moment...and at the same time as all this has been going on, we were busy having a gorgeous week with our friends - barbecues in the woods, walks on a wild and windy beach, stories and dolly making with Little Meriel...and culminating in Scott, my best friend's husband, being offered a job in this area!! They're moving from Scotland in January to live in the town where I work, so they'll be just 17 miles away instead of 250! So exciting!
Such emotional highs and lows. Oh my dears, you lot are just such a wonderful support system. I've said it before, and I'll say it again: whatever would I do without you??
Sorry this is such a disjointed entry.
Much love to you all.
We were also contacted by the team in Cambridge to say the trial has been brought forward, and it seems D and I will be going to Cambridge on 10th November for him to be consented, and then getting started on the 16th. The sooner the better as far as we're concerned. Let's get those tumours shrinking.....And, D has, as of today, slept for 6 nights lying down in bed!!!! Sure he's woken a couple of times and sat on the side of the bed for a minute or 2, but in the main he's been comfortable in bed. It could be the effects of the radiotherapy, or, alternatively, the fact that the Macmillan nurse suggested he took a lorazepam (a relaxant type thing) along with his bedtime painkillers. So lovely to have my D to cuddle in the night!
What emotions are whirling around in my mind at this moment...and at the same time as all this has been going on, we were busy having a gorgeous week with our friends - barbecues in the woods, walks on a wild and windy beach, stories and dolly making with Little Meriel...and culminating in Scott, my best friend's husband, being offered a job in this area!! They're moving from Scotland in January to live in the town where I work, so they'll be just 17 miles away instead of 250! So exciting!
Such emotional highs and lows. Oh my dears, you lot are just such a wonderful support system. I've said it before, and I'll say it again: whatever would I do without you??
Sorry this is such a disjointed entry.
Much love to you all.
Replies
Hello Meriel!
Don\'t worry about your dad - he will be just fine. I don\'t know about your health systems in UK, but I am sure they will get him the care that he needs. It is a highly \'curable\' cancer and I know many men who have had it and are doing fabulous. He should get his opinions from 2 and move forward with treatment asap. Not spend a minute fearful or worried!
Yeah - there are so very many highs and lows with this odd life we lead, coping with a serious illness attacking our loved ones. There is FAR too much cancer on this earth these days. I think we live in a sea of carcinogens and it is only through pure luck we escape the fate of some weird cancer injecting itself into our bodies.
What is the radiotherapy he has been having? Please tell me more if you have time. God be with the two of you, and happy about your close buddy being nearer - this is a blessing for you too. Good luck in Cambridge. Stay in touch and thanks too for your support of me when I need it!
Gloria
Meriel - Sorry to hear about your dad\'s diagnosis, yet there is a lot of promising treatment. So glad he decided to tell you and D, as I\'m sure you would want to know, even with what you are going through. Good news that the trial is starting sooner, hope all goes well. And the roller coaster, it\'s hard to ride, but at least there are some ups mixed in with the downs. And to be so close to your friend - how wonderfu!
Love, Karen
Dearest Meriel,
I, too, hate to hear of your dad\'s prostate cancer. If he has to have the big C, this is probably one of the better ones, as treatment works really well for it. Like Gloria said, he\'ll make it through this just fine. Still...another stress for you, Hon.
It\'s great that they\'ve moved D\'s date up to begin the trial. Doing nothing is definitely scary. How long will y\'all have to stay in Cambridge? Have you found a place to stay?
What exciting news about your dear friends moving so close. What a blessing that is going to be for you all!
I continue to pray for you and D and that this new tx. will work really well. Take care of your precious self, my dear friend.
I love you,
Ingrid
Hi Meriel, I hope they caught your dad\'s cancer early...I don\'t know much about that cancer, but I\'ve heard that in some cases because it is so slow growing that in some cases, doctors chose not to treat it...perhaps because your dad is younger, they will treat it. The news about D\'s progress is very hopeful and I too hope that his tumors will shrink significantly with this treatment. I will keep you both in my prayers. Love, Linda
Thank you my dear girls. I\'m feeling pretty optimistic about my dear dad, but he\'s never ever been ill before, and feels a bit shellshocked by all this. I agree, Gloria, that this world we\'ve developed for ourselves could well be slowly poisoning us...there but for the grace of god really...
lots of love x x x
Thank you Carol! Ha ha, I\'ve never thought dad was superman, far too bad-tempered to be Clark Kent (!), but he\'s certainly unique. A rough tough Yorkshireman - out half way up a hill on his bike when I called him this morning. He\'ll be just fine.
love to you x x x