Pam
Regular
Joined: 09 May 2009
Posts: 16
Location: Sydney, Australia
|
 Posted: Thu Oct 08, 2009 9:31 am Post subject: Update on my darling 86y.o. Dad |
 |
|
Well, Dad had the radiotherapy and that helped ease his pain considerably. He remains on a fairly low dose of morphine, but just when he's dusting himself off p.c. kicks him down again... his bone marrow has been invaded by p.c., and he is now dependent on platelet transfusions and blood transfusions. This doesn't happen to every p.c. patient in the end phases, but it has happened to him. He's being reviewed on a week-by-week basis and got told today that he is dependent on transfusions from now on, and to let them know when he decided he'd no longer go ahead with them. Apparently his body will reach a point when the transfusions no longer have an effect. We are devastated, as is my poor Dad, who was expecting to be able to go home at some point.
This information is hard to reconcile with the man we still see before us. Granted, he is now a frail man, but he is still a man with all his faculties about him, a man determined to shower himself, shave, eat, and have afew laughs with his children when they visit.
We know his days are numbered, so we are cherishing each extra one we have together. The medical team seem reluctant to continue the platelet transfusions, which makes me so angry and frustrated. It's only once he's had a platelet transfusion that in about 24 hours he feels great, but platelets don't live long at the best of times, and so his feeling of wellbeing diminishes day by day, till his next transfusion.
It's a horrible position to find him in. When I asked why his platelet count is being allowed to drop dangerously low before he is given another platelet transfusion, I was told that "Platelet transfusions are really meant to be reserved for patients who have a hope of recovery, and as my father has no chance of recovery..." I got the feeling they really don't want to give him anymore, as there would be a more deserving recipient out there. That's all and well, I know Dad can't recover, but I'll bet if it was the doctor's Dad, he'd get all the transfusions he needed!
My advice to you all, as has been mentioned by several people in this forum over the last few months, is once you are diagnosed with prostate cancer, go to an oncologist who specialises in prostate cancer. Don't be fobbed off, don't think it isn't important. It is. Your life might depend on it.
regards to all,
Pam
_________________
My Dad's an oldie but a goodie. I'm going to be strong for him, so that I can help him ride the rest of the journey. I love him so much. |
|
Jean222
Senior User
Joined: 14 Dec 2008
Posts: 249
|
| Posted: Sat Oct 10, 2009 11:05 am Post subject: Re: Update on my darling 86y.o. Dad |
|
|
Hi Pam,
I understand your distress and feelings that the medical team don't want to help your Dad.
You did say that they've asked *him* to let them know when he's not wanting to continue on, so I think (from afar) that they're leaving the final decisions with your Dad. As it should be, IMO.
The transfusions will eventually stop working, as you know, but it doesn't sound like they're actually stopping his treatments.
Hopefully, that will not ever happen.
I commiserate greatly and completely understand your distress as I've lost both parents, one of whom was treated in a disgraceful manner.
If I were you, I'd approach the medical personnel and tell them how you feel in a pleasant way. They should be able to reassure you that any final decision is for your Dad to make, and he alone.
Kudos to your Dad for keeping on, keeping on. 
My thoughts are with you and your family.
Wish you all the best.
Jean |
|
Search 
Email Digests
Register to post
Profile 
Check private messages 
Log in
What is this ?
We subscribe to the HONcode principles. Verify here. All content and posts are copyright.
