TerryJ2
Well-Known Member
Life is so strange. I was convinced that my dad would die first, then my cousin P, and then it was up for grabs between the cousins, and one of my b-i-ls, who was diagnosis'd with-Parkinson's last yr.
A few wks ago, one of my older sisters emailed all of us to tell us that her husband had been diagnosis'd with-lung cancer and was having surgery. Frankly, it was no surprise. B was a very heavy smoker for years, and when we stayed at their house, he would wake up every morning and hack his lungs out. It was so gross.
He quit smoking about 6 yrs ago. Too late.
He is about 75 (my sister is 62).
He had laparoscopic surgery and it went very well. He was afraid they wouldn't be able to access the area and would have to break his ribs.
During the ensuing days/weeks, he was acting strangely, having huge anger issues and out-of-proportion reactions (although he was always rough and tough, a hard drinker, smoker, cattle rancher) but this was even more outrageous, plus, he was having trouble with-his right arm and leg. After reading all the notes on this board for so many yrs, I thought, "Seizure," and the next sentence in the email said "Focal seizure."
My sister finally convinced him to go to the ER two days ago, where he was diagnosis'd with-a brain tumor.
My first thought was, so soon after lung cancer? It's got to be connected. And so it is.
It mestastacized to his brain, the surgery went longer than expected, and I don't know what the dr told them other than the immediate post-op conversation, but they really like him and trust him. They are in a brand new hospital out West, very modern philosophy--even allowed my sister to bring in one of their dogs to cheer up B.
I Googled his type of cancer and the prognosis looks grim. Long shot--14 mo's. Short term--2 mo's. So I'm guessing he's got until spring.
The other thing I noticed was that for his type of cancer, radiation only adds 2 mo's to the typical pt's lifespan. Not sure I'd want to go through that. My guess is that he votes, "No."
The good news is that right out of surgery, he had regained some movement and control of his right arm and leg. I am hoping that he also regains the "good" parts of his personality so my sister can have some good times with-him at the end. She has had a very hard life with-him. Either way, she is going to have one h*ll of a grieving process.
She doesn't want any phonecalls, so another sister, who is living there, is fielding the calls and emails, while A & B have their private time to talk and make decisions. I'm mailing a card, note, and small pkg, which she can open when she feels up to it.
A few wks ago, one of my older sisters emailed all of us to tell us that her husband had been diagnosis'd with-lung cancer and was having surgery. Frankly, it was no surprise. B was a very heavy smoker for years, and when we stayed at their house, he would wake up every morning and hack his lungs out. It was so gross.
He quit smoking about 6 yrs ago. Too late.
He is about 75 (my sister is 62).
He had laparoscopic surgery and it went very well. He was afraid they wouldn't be able to access the area and would have to break his ribs.
During the ensuing days/weeks, he was acting strangely, having huge anger issues and out-of-proportion reactions (although he was always rough and tough, a hard drinker, smoker, cattle rancher) but this was even more outrageous, plus, he was having trouble with-his right arm and leg. After reading all the notes on this board for so many yrs, I thought, "Seizure," and the next sentence in the email said "Focal seizure."
My sister finally convinced him to go to the ER two days ago, where he was diagnosis'd with-a brain tumor.
My first thought was, so soon after lung cancer? It's got to be connected. And so it is.
It mestastacized to his brain, the surgery went longer than expected, and I don't know what the dr told them other than the immediate post-op conversation, but they really like him and trust him. They are in a brand new hospital out West, very modern philosophy--even allowed my sister to bring in one of their dogs to cheer up B.
I Googled his type of cancer and the prognosis looks grim. Long shot--14 mo's. Short term--2 mo's. So I'm guessing he's got until spring.
The other thing I noticed was that for his type of cancer, radiation only adds 2 mo's to the typical pt's lifespan. Not sure I'd want to go through that. My guess is that he votes, "No."
The good news is that right out of surgery, he had regained some movement and control of his right arm and leg. I am hoping that he also regains the "good" parts of his personality so my sister can have some good times with-him at the end. She has had a very hard life with-him. Either way, she is going to have one h*ll of a grieving process.
She doesn't want any phonecalls, so another sister, who is living there, is fielding the calls and emails, while A & B have their private time to talk and make decisions. I'm mailing a card, note, and small pkg, which she can open when she feels up to it.
