My 71 yr old Dad has recently been diagnosed with Prostate Cancer, he's been going through all the testing, biopsies etc and yesterday was his followup appt with the Radiation Oncologist. My husband and I had planned to drive them to the hospital and be with them through the appointment but then....
Our GP phones at 7.30am, my hubby who has been feeling a bit tired lately, has just had followup blood tests. His lymphocytes are higher than last time and the GP needs him to go for more blood tests. Could be anything from a virus to Leukemia (great), he stays home to get the tests and I go off to meet my parents.......
We see Dad's specialist to be advised that his cancer is a lot more serious than they first expected. He now has to have 18mths of hormone treatment, starting now, with radiation treatment starting in 5 mths time. He had more blood tests, bone density scans and the first hormone injection. For a guy who has never been in hospital he's coping pretty well really but the hormone treatment has some nasty side effects....
The last straw came after 5 hrs at the hospital, we get back to the car park and someone has damaged my car. I know it's trivial but I can believe that people can damage other people's property and just drive away. Dad's upset that we were here because of him and now my newish car is damaged....
Not the best of days... my husband's results should be back tomorrow...
NB - all you guys out there, don't forget to get your Prostate checked.
Aussiemum
What a day! I'm not surprised you are hacked off. It's bad enough having to worry about your parents and your husband's health, without having some loser damage your car.
Your are in my thoughts and prayers.
Hugs
Kathyx
Thanks for the reminder. I am postponing all additional medical until Jan is done with surgery.
Hi aussie Mum :)
I'm sorry you are having such a very difficult time. It's so hard coping with a loved one being ill when you are not feeling well yourself. That's lousy your car getting damaged too.
I hope your dad's treatment pays off. Do try to look after yourself too!
Take care - Scottie :)
Aussiemom:
You've certainly being going thru some very difficult times lately which can wear a person down and then cause them to go into a flare. Will send positive thoughts for your Dad that his cancer treatment is successful and not more than he can take, and also that your husband's test results will not be serious.
Take care of yourself too, as caregiving and having a chronic illness at the same time is alot on one's plate.
Hugs,
Daisy
Aussiemom - I'm sorry things are so stressful for you right now.
Wishing your Dad the best in his treatments.
Also, hoping your husbands tests get to the bottom of his health issues and is fixable so he feels better.
How upsetting that someone would damage your car and just take off. I wonder if there are any surveillance cameras that might have caught anything? You certainly didn't need this extra stress!!
Take care Aussiemom - and don't forget about yourself in the mix too.
Bucky
Thanks for all the kind words, hoping for good news for my hubby today.
Hi aussie mum
I've been thinking about you today and hoping that is well. Let us know how your husband and Dad are doing, and how YOU are too.
Take care - Chickpea
Thanks for your thoughts Chickpea.
Well my hubby had some good news yesterday, his Lymphocyte count has gone down slightly but not all of the results have come through yet so we'll now have to wait until Monday (I'm writing this just after 5am Sat morning in Sydney).
Dad is going ok, trying to get back to his normal routines (he teaches computer skills at a local community college) and not worry too much about the Cancer. He had his first hormone injection this week and he has no further treatment until his next hormone injection in 3mths time. He will be having High Dose Rate Hdr Prostate Brachytherapy in about 5 mths, then continuing the hormone therapy for 18mths. His cancer is quite advanced (Gleason score 9), we have got to trust that the Drs know what they are doing.
Other than a few aches and pains and not sleeping well....I'm ok.
Have a good weekend everyone. :)
Ah Aussie Mum, wow, when it rains, it pours! I'll keep the ol' fingers crossed until they both are on the mend and doing better.
I hate people that can damage a car and not worry about it... I don't know about y'all, but it sure chaps my hide!
Hang in there Aussie Mum, and take care of yourself and those two special men in your life -
Patze
Hi Everyone,
After blood tests and a CT scan, my husband (55) has been diagnosed with CLL - Chronic lymphocytic leukemia.
While it has come as a bit of a shock as he has always been an extremely fit and healthy guy, we are relieved that it is not anything worse.
With the Lymphocyte count my husband has at the moment, there is no treatment necessary, they will monitor his levels every 3mths and treatment will only be required if things change dramatically.
In the meantime, as he took voluntary redundancy/early retirement just 4 days before this all started, he has now put together a bucket list - I just hope he doesn't expect me jump out of an aeroplane too.
Thanks again for all the kind words and take care.
Aussie Mum
Hi Aussie Mum,
Sorry to hear of your multiple troubles, and that things will level out for you. Good that no treatment is needed for your hubby. I for one would love to hear what is on his bucket list.
(((Aussie Mum))) <- Good thoughts
Thanks Hikernees and Joe S.
I can't believe the Roller coaster ride we've been on lately. We have had some good news overnight.
Our GP had discussions with the Hematologist/Pathologist. They have now decided that my Hubby does not have CLL. Apparently he has Pre-CLL, a blood disorder as opposed to Leukemia, as he does not have quite enough of the bad guys (white blood cells) to give the diagnosis CLL at this point.
Far out these Drs can test your nerves - but that's nothing new to most of you here. They will still be testing him every 3 mths, so for now we are supposed to just go back to normal.
Here are some of the things on his bucket list :
Ride Sydney to Canberra, Ride through Vietnam, Bungey jump some where, Walk Kokada Track. Walk up Uluru, Play Football (soccer) one more season, Laugh more and then some more, Take on a special project some where in the world, Sneeze and not pass wind, Write a book - ha ha ha, Paint a picture that looks passable, Take time to appreciate the things around me, Read more books, Go swimming at the beach often.
Looks like he/we have a busy time ahead.
Thanks again for all your support this past week.
Take Care
Aussie Mum
Aussiemum, that's a pretty awesome list! I wish you both all the luck in the world to achieve the whole lot.
Kathyx
What great news and what a relief for you all. But it's a lesson learned, and The List is tribute to that. Keep us updated about progress as both of you work through that long list of the great (climbing and walking) and the good (sneezing and not passing wind - is that at the same time?!).
Love to all your family - Chickpea
Aussie Mum, My goodness, this has been quite a week for you. I hope that your dad gets along ok with the treatment and can continue to stay active.
What a rollar coaster with your hubby. Sure glad that those specialists were able to decipher all the tests and have the better news. I like you hubby's bucket list. He sounds a little daring. Hope you are able to "hang in there" with him on this journey. Hope you are getting some rest now and don't have a flare. Also, that is a bummer about your car. People don't respect others property like they used to. Good luck. Irish ;D
Great list, I hope he does it all, and that you add your things so you can do them together.