New Here - Losing Dad

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-11-2006
New Here - Losing Dad
12
Wed, 10-25-2006 - 1:53pm
My dad has been battling with melanoma for five years and nothing has worked. The cancer has spread to his lungs, brain, and stomach. The different medications have slowed the growth of the tumors down but the doctors have basically run out of treatment options. They are doing chemo now (which is known not to work on melanoma) in hope that it will buy time. My dad is only 54 years old and even younger at heart. He is living with me and my family while going through treatment and it is so hard to see him in pain all the time and sick all the time. I am now on medication to treat depression because it is becoming increasingly difficult for me to cope with my day to day stress (raising a family, working full time) and come to terms with losing my dad at such a young age.

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iVillage Member
Registered: 11-06-2006
Tue, 11-07-2006 - 9:56am
I am very sorry to hear about your dad. Unfortunately I am dealing with the same heartache. My dad is 61 and was recently (in August) diagnosed with non-small cell lung cancer. He was sick for a very long time but drs. overlooked the reason. When diagnosed his cancer was in stage 4. He has been given 4 to 6 months to live. His cancer has spread throughout his entire body-stomach,liver,liver,chest,armpits,bones,legs,etc... My dad has received 15 radiation treatments and will be receiving second chemo tomorrow. I sympathize with you on watching your dad suffer everyday and God knows I know exactly how hard and how painful that is for you to see. I really wish that I knew something more to say to you but my only advice is to offer him as much love and support as possible. My family and I try to keep my dads spirits up by talking to him about the things we did when we were younger and talking to him as though he will be here and be a part of so many things in the future. My oldest daughter graduted from high school May 2006 and she is now attending school for neuromuscular and massage therapy. She will graduate May 2007 along with my youngest daughter that will graduate from high school in May 2007. My dad is very excited to see them both accomplish these goals and it keeps him fighting and gives him a reason to live. Try and find a focal point in the future that will give your dad reason to live and focus on that with him. I will keep you and your family in my prayers! We have to be our dads reason to live.If you need to talk please email me anytime! Stay strong!!
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-19-2003
Thu, 11-09-2006 - 10:21pm

Hi


Welcome to the board.


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Your Dad and I have something in common......61!!!

Hope everyone has a great Summer!

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