My Dad has Brain Cancer

[bodyrokk]

i just went through this last week with my cousin(she is like my lil sister)34 yrs old just finished nursing school and started workin at hospital..she went cross eyed and couldnt stop vomitting ..she had brain tumor(cancerous)not sure what it was,but the dr said its very rare..anyway she is home now and doin good so far ..but i feel for you ..i did alot of crying lately....and gonna do more,because i told her if they have to shave her head she can shave mine!!lol
hang in there ..good luck...

[Trace333]

Originally Posted by Griff79

Hi Friends,

I got some bad news today. My Dad has been falling a lot lately; he is 76, he was admitted into the hospital to have some tests done. I spoke to his doctor and he has brain cancer. This is the second go around with cancer for him. The first was lung cancer about a year ago.

Normally I am very good in these situations but right now I feel pretty strange. Last time I went about helping him in a very businesslike manner, taking one step at a time, going over the different treatment options and moving forward.

This time I feel broken. I know I have to be strong for my Mom, Brother and Aunt we are the only people left. But, I am sort of lost, I almost feel like crying. That is so embarrassing to say. I am supposed to be a big strong iron eating machine, that takes care of the others. I am in shock and don?t feel optimistic this time.

2007 -2008 has been such a hard time. I lost my international business and came within inches of filing bankruptcy because I slept on my Dad?s sofa for 4 months taking him through his first episode of lung cancer, my Mom this year been diagnosed with Alzheimer?s disease, so she now needs constant attention, my Dad has cancer for the second time and I got fat.

Life can be so wonderful and it also can be so difficult and painful.

It is odd, I am sitting here staring at this screen and I don?t even know what to write or why I am writing this. I am really worried that I am going to lose my Dad this time. It is odd too that I am writing this to an online body building site, to people that I don?t really know but I feel a connection here.

I check this forum about every day. I guess it is the connection of working out, eating well and living the healthful lifestyle.

After reading this I am almost hesitant to post. As I sit here I think, my problems are not your problems and there are others that have a lot to deal with or are dealing with heavy stuff too so why should I burden others with my issues.

Anyways, thanks for all the good info you have posted on working out and the other stuff that is termed OT. It has been enjoyable to be a little part of the OV35 forum.

Griff

I'm so sorry Griff, Cancer is an awful monster. Sometimes it's feels good to get it off your chest even to a bunch of strangers. We're here for ya!!

[Griff79]

Originally Posted by SP1966

Good luck to your father Griff!

SP, thanks for your thoughts

Originally Posted by Whiskeyjack

Best of luck to your father Griff. I hope it works out. Be strong for him, around him.

Yes Jack, It has been up to me to pull his treatment together and keep the family calm and ok. It is part of being the leader of the family now that Dad is ill.

Originally Posted by bird72

But He was wounded for our rebellion, crushed for our sins: the punishment of our peace about him, and his sore we are healed.
isahia;53:5

Peace I leave with you, my peace I give you: not as the world gives, I give you the I. Do not let your hearts be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
Jn: 14:27

when man can not do more, jesus enters and he give you heal and peace.
i gone to pray for your dad and you. god bless you.

Thank you Bird, I did some praying last night. I normally don't do much but I recently felt that I needed the Big Guy's help.

Originally Posted by BergMuscle

Prayers for you, your dad, and your family, Griff.

Berg, thank you for your concern for the family. My Mom is a little shaken. We are sticking together though.

Originally Posted by bodyrokk

i just went through this last week with my cousin(she is like my lil sister)34 yrs old just finished nursing school and started workin at hospital..she went cross eyed and couldnt stop vomitting ..she had brain tumor(cancerous)not sure what it was,but the dr said its very rare..anyway she is home now and doin good so far ..but i feel for you ..i did alot of crying lately....and gonna do more,because i told her if they have to shave her head she can shave mine!!lol
hang in there ..good luck...

My thoughts are with you my friend. It is hard to have people we care for become ill. I will say a prayer for you and her and use the "Secret" to send positive thoughts your way. Shaving your head will be liberating for a Rocker like you!!

Originally Posted by Trace333

I'm so sorry Griff, Cancer is an awful monster. Sometimes it's feels good to get it off your chest even to a bunch of strangers. We're here for ya!!

Trace, thanks much. It has been good to talk with my friends here. At first I thought it was weird but I now look at it as a change in the way we communicate, some sort of paradigm shift. Using the internet to develop friendships electronically seemingly is becomming more normal than I thought.

[_VL]

Lots and lots of love... in addition to the amazing bb family here, you may also want to consider the resources of a family support group for families of loved ones going through radiation/chemo, specifically those with the same diagnosis/prognosis or course of treatment as your dad's. Usually the oncology department will be able to refer you to a SW who will have phone numbers for groups in your region. If you can't get any contact info through the oncology department, contact the hospital SW department directly yourself.

Of course, continue to surround yourself with the good folks here and elsewhere, it simply may be additionally helpful to speak with other families who are dealing with side effects of treatment, similar prognosis, similar burdens/toll of stress and concern re:their loved one, and many other similar issues.

Just a little thought sent with lots of love and prayer.

[tomdana]

I am sorry to hear of your struggle. I had your 2007 -2008 in 1987- 1991 as my dad died. I know you don't have a clue how you will get through this time yet again, but you will. You will find yourself on the other side of this problem and i pray that it is with your dad. The only way out of a tough time is through it, remember "iron eater" you can do it. I will keep you and your family in my prayers for peace and comfort and a good outcome. Take care.

[eomrat]

Originally Posted by Griff79

Yes Jack, It has been up to me to pull his treatment together and keep the family calm and ok. It is part of being the leader of the family now that Dad is ill.

.

I have hesitated to respond to this post, although I check it often.
Several years ago I lost my son (5 years old). My wife was devestated to the point that I can't describe, except to say that she was non functional for almost a year. I, in practice, became a single father to three children and my wife. At the time it seemed like it was the right course, to take care of everything and be the man, so to speak. Here is the thing, I never took the time to actively grieve my loss. I was too busy keeping strong for my family. While this may have been the best thing for them and I am not sure I regret it, I think it may have made things much worse for me in the long run. I see my son two or three times a month and it sometimes takes several moments for me to realize that some cute little boy at the grocery store is not my boy, way too often he comes to climb in bed with us because he had a bad dream and it isn't till morning that I realize he is not there. You don't need a psychiatrist to tell you that I haven't come to grips with his loss.

This post is getting too long. Griff, IF, you lose your father, your family is going to need you to be strong, but please don't forget to be human. grieve your loss in whatever manner suits your nature, just grieve. And damn any nonsense about crying or whatever. I am absolutely convinced that crying is essential to the process.
Best of luck to you and your family.

[Romeos]

I to have been touched by cancer in my family. Please know that I will put your father in my prayers as well as yourself.

[sevenleigh]

Griff,
Keep your head up. This too shall pass! Cancer is a MF'er and it doesn't discriminate. A lot of us have lost someone to cancer and a lot of us will if we haven't already. Shiit some of us will get the big "C" at some point.

On another note Griff, I feel your pain and it reminds me of that song by Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young called "Wooden Ships".
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Q3j-i7GLr0

I can't tell you to remain optomistic and stay positive because that is exactly what I did when my younger brother was diagnosed with cancer at 23 years old. I was in it to win it till the end, even when the doc and some of my family said it isn't working I said, "we got this thing beat, he has his strength in youth to fight through it". Ultimately my positive outlook wasn't enough.

Brain Cancer is a tough one and at his age it could be a show stopper Griff. You have to focus now on being positive for him. Pray that God has mercy on him and keeps his suffering to a minimum. If he dies Griff, he made it out! Moving on to bigger and better things.

You mentioned that perhaps your suffering is not as bad as what others are going through and I have to tell you that you are wrong. Griff, your suffering is difficult and just because someone else suffers through worse doesn't lessen yours. Be there for your father and hold his hand as he held yours when you needed it.

On another note, don't let the MD's get rich off of his illness. Don't let the Pharmaceutical companies get rich off of his illness. They are all full of shiit!
Sorry, 10 years later I am still a little bitter.

B

[oldernhotter]

I just read this devastating post and can relate somewhat. I lost my dad to cancer when I was 15. I lost my mom to cancer last April. I know what you're going thru and will keep you and your family in my prayers. Stay strong.

[Bronzebird]

Griff,
Prayers for your Dad, family and you.
I'm thinking of posting my dad's current hospital stay. Intestinal infection that he and his brother are predisposed x 2 surgeries.

[Griff79]

Originally Posted by Bronzebird

Griff,
Prayers for your Dad, family and you.
I'm thinking of posting my dad's current hospital stay. Intestinal infection that he and his brother are predisposed x 2 surgeries.

I am glad you did. You will find out how awsome our fellow 35's are. They have been magnificent to me.

Griff

[Bronzebird]

Hey Griff, Thanks for the support during my week of uncertainty with my Dad.

Continured prayers for your Dad and ALL. The Rep comment works both ways brother. Anytime!

[Amr54]

Hey Griff. Prayers to your dad man. Stay Strong, Gods with you.

[Griff79]

I wanted to give thanks to everyone who gave support and prayers for my father and for me.

We had the one month check up and subsequent MRI recently. The neurosurgeon read the MRI and gave us the news that two of the tumors were reduced in size so much that he had a difficult time finding them, not completely gone but well on their way. The third and larger tumor had also significantly reduced in size.

Dad is not out of the woods yet the tumors are not completely gone and they may grow back but for right now the news could not be better.

We will have another Christmas and worry about tomorrow, tomorrow.

I believe prayers work and positive thoughts make life better.

Griff

[Old-Time-Lifter]

God Bless and I'm glad you've received such marvelous news just before Christmas.

Prayer does work!! God's Blessings on you and yours!!

[woodlake]

Great news God Bless

[tomdana]

Originally Posted by Griff79

I wanted to give thanks to everyone who gave support and prayers for my father and for me.

We had the one month check up and subsequent MRI recently. The neurosurgeon read the MRI and gave us the news that two of the tumors were reduced in size so much that he had a difficult time finding them, not completely gone but well on their way. The third and larger tumor had also significantly reduced in size.

Dad is not out of the woods yet the tumors are not completely gone and they may grow back but for right now the news could not be better.

We will have another Christmas and worry about tomorrow, tomorrow.

I believe prayers work and positive thoughts make life better.

Griff

Great to hear, prayers continue!!

[bodyrokk]

thats good news griff...hey remember my cousin was goin thru same thing,well they went to jefferson in philly and the dr there took out everything..the last dr from reading hospital said he could only get 25 % out and was giving her an extra month or 2 to live.. Well this dr at jefferson took all of it out and it turns out she had cancer ,it was huge tumor but not cancerous...my aunt wants to sue but my cousin said no she is just happy to be alive...i believe prayers do help !!!good luck

[BuckSpin]

There is magic in believing. Don't ever forget that.

I am very happy for you & your family. Savor this holiday together.

[bird72]

prayers running. god is great.

[dbx]

Excellent news! Merry Christmas

[The_Warhammer]

I just caught up on this thread and thought. Merry Christmas!!!!
I will have you and your family in my thoughts this Holiday season.

[Minotaur]

Originally Posted by Griff79

I wanted to give thanks to everyone who gave support and prayers for my father and for me.

We had the one month check up and subsequent MRI recently. The neurosurgeon read the MRI and gave us the news that two of the tumors were reduced in size so much that he had a difficult time finding them, not completely gone but well on their way. The third and larger tumor had also significantly reduced in size.

Dad is not out of the woods yet the tumors are not completely gone and they may grow back but for right now the news could not be better.

We will have another Christmas and worry about tomorrow, tomorrow.

I believe prayers work and positive thoughts make life better.

Griff

Very glad to hear it! It's great to hear when someone either beats cancer completely or it goes into remission so life can continue, though vigilance is crucial. Godspeed!

[_VL]

Thoughts, prayers, and love will continue along with best wishes for a very Merry Christmas! Make the most of every moment and don't be afraid of being overly sappy in expressing your gratitude, appreciation, and love for each other. Don't forget to take tons of pictures!

[67fastback]

All the best for your family , yourself and you dad, most of all.

[ra1234]

My uncle had medulloblastoma in brain, he died horribly couldn't even remember us in last stages, but that was 10 years ago. Now technology has changed

[KeepItMoving]

Originally Posted by eomrat

I have hesitated to respond to this post, although I check it often.
Several years ago I lost my son (5 years old). My wife was devestated to the point that I can't describe, except to say that she was non functional for almost a year. I, in practice, became a single father to three children and my wife. At the time it seemed like it was the right course, to take care of everything and be the man, so to speak. Here is the thing, I never took the time to actively grieve my loss. I was too busy keeping strong for my family. While this may have been the best thing for them and I am not sure I regret it, I think it may have made things much worse for me in the long run. I see my son two or three times a month and it sometimes takes several moments for me to realize that some cute little boy at the grocery store is not my boy, way too often he comes to climb in bed with us because he had a bad dream and it isn't till morning that I realize he is not there. You don't need a psychiatrist to tell you that I haven't come to grips with his loss.

This post is getting too long. Griff, IF, you lose your father, your family is going to need you to be strong, but please don't forget to be human. grieve your loss in whatever manner suits your nature, just grieve. And damn any nonsense about crying or whatever. I am absolutely convinced that crying is essential to the process.
Best of luck to you and your family.

I don't know you guys, but I want you to know that I will include you and your families in my prayers. I also suggest that you pray, in whatever way makes you comfortable, for the strength and wisdom to see your way through. I believe in the power of prayer, meditation, inner strength or whatever some may call it. Take out a moment or two for yourself through these times to ask for help from a power greater than you. You will find your way through. God Bless You.

[dungeonmistress]

Originally Posted by Griff79

Hi Friends,

I got some bad news today. My Dad has been falling a lot lately; he is 76, he was admitted into the hospital to have some tests done. I spoke to his doctor and he has brain cancer. This is the second go around with cancer for him. The first was lung cancer about a year ago.

Normally I am very good in these situations but right now I feel pretty strange. Last time I went about helping him in a very businesslike manner, taking one step at a time, going over the different treatment options and moving forward.

This time I feel broken. I know I have to be strong for my Mom, Brother and Aunt we are the only people left. But, I am sort of lost, I almost feel like crying. That is so embarrassing to say. I am supposed to be a big strong iron eating machine, that takes care of the others. I am in shock and don?t feel optimistic this time.

2007 -2008 has been such a hard time. I lost my international business and came within inches of filing bankruptcy because I slept on my Dad?s sofa for 4 months taking him through his first episode of lung cancer, my Mom this year been diagnosed with Alzheimer?s disease, so she now needs constant attention, my Dad has cancer for the second time and I got fat.

Life can be so wonderful and it also can be so difficult and painful.

It is odd, I am sitting here staring at this screen and I don?t even know what to write or why I am writing this. I am really worried that I am going to lose my Dad this time. It is odd too that I am writing this to an online body building site, to people that I don?t really know but I feel a connection here.

I check this forum about every day. I guess it is the connection of working out, eating well and living the healthful lifestyle.

After reading this I am almost hesitant to post. As I sit here I think, my problems are not your problems and there are others that have a lot to deal with or are dealing with heavy stuff too so why should I burden others with my issues.

Anyways, thanks for all the good info you have posted on working out and the other stuff that is termed OT. It has been enjoyable to be a little part of the OV35 forum.

Griff

i'm very sorry to hear your sad news. ((((big hugs)))) stay strong! it is healthy to unload btw, don't ever be afraid to vent. it's healthy and helps keep you sane and strong. you are shouldering a big load after all.

peace.

[Rogerthat]

I lost my dad to cancer. It was hard but I came to terms with it. Now I am facing kidney cancer and possible mets to bones or vice versa. I get tests done on Dec 24 to confirm. (Merry freakin Christmas) All the hardships life has thrown. Makes me wonder. Before I was born, if I had a choice of coming into a scary, violent, but with small pleasures world, or stay where I was probably comfortable, I probably would have chosen to stay. When we die do we go back there. Why were we born with such emotions as to care so much of others fate. I sometimes wish I was born without emotions. Because sometimes they are so strong that they make me sad. I still go to the gym. I still eat healthy, I still escape into movies, I still pay my bills, but when I stop and reflect on what my purpose is, I get scared and try and find one of life's many distractions to stop me from finding it. You will gain strength, we are constantly tested. I wish you and your family nothing but the best.

[dogguy]

I'm sorry to hear about your problems. You are on my prayer list. I've already gone through this with both of my parents years ago. And I know how emotionally draining it can be. The best advice that I can give you is that you also need to take breaks and take care of yourself during this process. There's nothing wrong with that and it will give you the strength you need to continue.