Could use some prayers for my dad

RFMan

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Y'all may remember this thread https://www.carolinafirearmsforum.com/index.php?threads/my-wifes-mother-just-passed.42058/ from a couple of months ago...as if that weren't enough...

My dad is 82. He has colon cancer: diagnosed 5 years ago, 1 ft of large intestine removed and joined. He is a cardiac rehab fanatic (has congestive heart failure, afib, bad arthritis and gout), which helped him through that. Didn't take chemo or radiation because it wasn't going to help his odds much, and he would not have been able to continue the beneficial exercising. I've been going down 3 long weekends/month the past 1.5 years to help with his care (he's in Saluda SC; I live in Cary NC).

The past 4-5 months I've been wresting with his oncologist. I've noticed cancer markers up and unfavorable CT scans. Oncologist was not terribly blunt with me, and it took some time to decode some of their terminology. He cancer has metastasized to his lungs and liver (most common sites for colorectal cancer to go). They can't treat it (he says it will just make things worse, and I don't really doubt that, but it's also crap to hear). But they weren't really following things closely (he has both Medicare AND BCBS, so plenty of insurance). His last hepatic panel was getting worse, and he had pretty bad jaundice; I said, shouldn't we be doing something to reduce stress on his liver??? They finally ordered a liver ultrasound. The next morning, he fell, and had to go to the ER. After about 7-8 hours there, they admitted him, and everyone was giving us hell about not getting the jaundice treated. I said, well, you might ask his oncologist, because we HAVE been trying to get some for over a month, and he was just here yesterday morning, DOWN THE HALL, for a liver ultrasound! Why did y'all even let him leave??? WTF???

He was in the hospital a week. Hypotension (he has historically had hypertension - this is why he fell). Bile duct was blocked, probably a tumor. They inserted a stent, and bilirubin numbers are falling from the peak of 19 (normal ~1). He's been home since the 8th, but is mostly bedridden. Incontinence is a real problem. His attitude is spectacular. Every time he had a different nurse or doctor, he would say, "With y'all's and the Lord's help, we're going to make it! Got to fight it! I'm not giving up!" One doc was really pushing DNR, while two nurses were changing him...ticked me off, talking about him like he was a side of meat there. I told him how we had a great handle on his cardio and pulmonary health, and had been tracking and adjusting things the past 10 years. He went and looked some things up in the computer there, and then he shut up and left. He might have picked up on some body language from me also :)

Anyway, I humbly ask for prayers for him, that he be able to get around a little better in the time he has left (however long that is), and that we his caregivers are able to sustain the efforts we make to help him stay at home with dignity and enjoyment of his family and friends. Hope this wasn't too wordy - typing it is part of my therapy :)
 
I do pray for him. And for you, as his care-giver. It's hard to watch your parent fade. It's hard to take care of the person who took care of you. I pray for good quality of life for him, regardless of the quantity that may be left.
 
Prayers for your father and the rest of your family.
 
I appreciate it, everyone. If not for my brother-in-law, I don't know what we would do. (I knew him before my sister did :D ) He shares caretaking. My sister does also, but her job won't let her work remotely. Since all this happened, I've had to have his hired caretaker (who is also kin to us) in 5-6 days a week, for long shifts. My dad works with us as best he can. I just pray we can sustain this as long as we need to.
 
Prayers for your father. Seems like he has a great attitude even in not great of times. Prayers for you also, very hard to be the caregiver and even harder when it’s a loved one. Don’t forget to take care of yourself.
 
As someone who was treated for cancer much of last year and who now has a major distrust of the medical process, I will keep your dad, you and all who love him in my daily prayers.
 
@RFMan you and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.
 
I will keep your dad and your family in prayer.
And take care of you.
 
Prayers for you and your family.
 
Thank you all. I think we may be settling down into a routine of sorts.
 
Y'all may remember this thread https://www.carolinafirearmsforum.com/index.php?threads/my-wifes-mother-just-passed.42058/ from a couple of months ago...as if that weren't enough...

My dad is 82. He has colon cancer: diagnosed 5 years ago, 1 ft of large intestine removed and joined. He is a cardiac rehab fanatic (has congestive heart failure, afib, bad arthritis and gout), which helped him through that. Didn't take chemo or radiation because it wasn't going to help his odds much, and he would not have been able to continue the beneficial exercising. I've been going down 3 long weekends/month the past 1.5 years to help with his care (he's in Saluda SC; I live in Cary NC).

The past 4-5 months I've been wresting with his oncologist. I've noticed cancer markers up and unfavorable CT scans. Oncologist was not terribly blunt with me, and it took some time to decode some of their terminology. He cancer has metastasized to his lungs and liver (most common sites for colorectal cancer to go). They can't treat it (he says it will just make things worse, and I don't really doubt that, but it's also crap to hear). But they weren't really following things closely (he has both Medicare AND BCBS, so plenty of insurance). His last hepatic panel was getting worse, and he had pretty bad jaundice; I said, shouldn't we be doing something to reduce stress on his liver??? They finally ordered a liver ultrasound. The next morning, he fell, and had to go to the ER. After about 7-8 hours there, they admitted him, and everyone was giving us hell about not getting the jaundice treated. I said, well, you might ask his oncologist, because we HAVE been trying to get some for over a month, and he was just here yesterday morning, DOWN THE HALL, for a liver ultrasound! Why did y'all even let him leave??? WTF???

He was in the hospital a week. Hypotension (he has historically had hypertension - this is why he fell). Bile duct was blocked, probably a tumor. They inserted a stent, and bilirubin numbers are falling from the peak of 19 (normal ~1). He's been home since the 8th, but is mostly bedridden. Incontinence is a real problem. His attitude is spectacular. Every time he had a different nurse or doctor, he would say, "With y'all's and the Lord's help, we're going to make it! Got to fight it! I'm not giving up!" One doc was really pushing DNR, while two nurses were changing him...ticked me off, talking about him like he was a side of meat there. I told him how we had a great handle on his cardio and pulmonary health, and had been tracking and adjusting things the past 10 years. He went and looked some things up in the computer there, and then he shut up and left. He might have picked up on some body language from me also :)

Anyway, I humbly ask for prayers for him, that he be able to get around a little better in the time he has left (however long that is), and that we his caregivers are able to sustain the efforts we make to help him stay at home with dignity and enjoyment of his family and friends. Hope this wasn't too wordy - typing it is part of my therapy :)

Incoming prayers.
 
Well, he IS doing better! Sitting up more, feeding himself some, doing his therapy OK. Incontinence is his biggest issue (and it's a big one). We've had him in the den in his transfer chair a couple of times.

The power went out around 3:45 AM, and just came back on. He is on a priority with MCEC because he uses oxygen part of the time, but a really big tree made this outage take 6 hours to restore. Thank goodness we have tanks. It hit several folks in the I-20/I-26/Saluda triangle.
 
I'm happy to hear he's improving @RFMan

I hope he remains very comfortable and happy. You guys, too!
 
Prayers sent
 
Haven't posted much about this lately - very little spare time. Things may be winding down. It's pretty rough. It's hard to see such a faith-driven, tough, determined, spirit come so close to breaking, due to physical issues. I appreciate all the prayers.
 
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