Sick Father

My dad has been sick for 2 years now, first he was diagnosed with stomach cancer he pulled threw that, than last June he had a stoke, he pulled threw that and had brain surgery, this past February he was diagnosed with diabetes and has been struggling ever since, now today he was rushed to the hospital where we found out he has a collapsed lung with air coming out of it, I have never even heard of that. He is only 48 years old, he use to be 280 pounds (he's 6'5 and not fat just built) he's not down to 215. That's in a matter of 2 months, he looks drawn and tired, this past Monday he had surgery to remove a cyst on his sinuses. He was always sick but never like this, I have no idea where all this is coming from but he is defiantly keeping my pharmacy employed. I feel so bad for my mom that she has to go threw this because I can see what it's doing to her, and having to see my dad (step dad but I call him dad) in pain everyday is really starting to hurt me as well. I just don't know how much longer my father or me or my mom or my entire family can deal with this crap and these doctors always seem to miss things they do all these test but yet nothing can ever be done and it's on thing after another. Sorry to ramble on I just needed to vent because none of my teenage friends can relate to any of this, and I have no idea what else I can do.

Awww..sugar :( :bighug:

I can relate. It's so tough especially when the doctors can't figure it out. I know. My dad has been sick for a number of years, too, now. And like your dad, tall - over 6 feet - and so thin now. My mom says he's only about 125 or 130 pounds. He is just skin and bones and the last time I was home (2 summers ago), I hugged him and all I felt were the bones. He's still hanging in there. I guess I get through the stress of worry about him by clinging to the things he is doing that "defy" his mysterious illness. He has to walk with a cane now or he'll fall right over (he has no balance). But he still gets up, goes outside, and tries to do gardening or some kind of work. Humor also helps (helps everyone).

I wish I could share some of the humor (my mom is such a card), but it's really not appropriate for a public forum. One of the things I can share is the day she stood up and told my dad to come to her and give her a hug. She said, "I feel like hugging a coat hanger today". I guess that sounds mean in print. You'd have to know my mom and dad. He laughed. I laughed when she told me about it.

It's hard though, I know. At least if the doctors could identify what the problem is, you could have something to occupy yourselves in researching so that your mind doesn't go all wild with the "possibilities". I will have you in my thoughts and prayers.

Jenny.. I'm so sorry..... I wish I could be there to hold your hand or something!!! Just know that I'm thinking of you and my prayers are going to be for your father tonight!!

xoxo
Love ya

Aw Jen.. :( That's awful.

You just vent away, we're all here for you. ...I'll send up a prayer for y'all, and I sure hope your daddy is feeling better real soon.

I'm sorry you and your dad, and the rest of your family has to go thru this :(

I hope he will be well soon. I will keep you all in my thoughts, and send you a big *hug*. Hang in there...i know its tough...i've been there

:grouphug:

First let me thank you for the prayers and well wishes, my family needs them now. It's 11:36 and my dad just called from the hospital he has a hole in his right lung and it collapsed and fell into some of his ribs and that is what is causing all the pain that he has been having for all this while. Friday he went to his regular doctor and the doctor is the one that made him go the hospital because my father just doesn't look right, if you see him he looks like he is on the verge of death. I just spoke with him and Monday he is getting test done and Tuesday they will decide what he will be doing, I feel so bad for my dad right now for everything that he has went threw these last two years is more than any other person I have ever known. I know many people get sick with cancer and have strokes and diabetes but this is all one man in the span of two freakin' years. My father is just ready to give up and has told the doctors just to pull the plug there is nothing left to do, I know everyone is saying to continue to be strong but after all this time it's hard to keep it up. Also I should had they found a lump on his lung (he's a heavy smoker has been since he was 12), he sounds like he's high as hell but that's the pain killers he's on...well again thanks for the love I appreciate it all!!!:yes:

AWWW my jenjen sis! GIrl I love you! I will say a prayer for you and your family:( LOVE YOU!!

Jen,

When you were describing what was wrong with your dad, I was wondering if he was a heavy smoker. Unfortunately, there's not much doctors can really do when a person won't give up on habits that are causing them such bad health or at least contributing to them. Sad esp. since your dad is so young and has survived some pretty horrible things already.

I can understand why he's ready to give up.

All you can do is hang in there and be there for both him and your mom. There's not much you can do to make his condition better, but if you just show up and be present, that means a lot.

Sorry for your pain.

I'm sorry, Jen, I lost my father recently too. It's hard when someone who used to be the strongest person you could imagine, becomes so sick.

Big hugs, be strong.

Jenny, I'm so sorry that your father is having so many health problems. :( I'll be thinking of him and praying that he is able to feel better soon.

Each day at the chapel, in the hospital, I sign the book and list the names of people to pray for. I will add your dad to the list.

Prayers for comfort and blessings at this time of need.

Thanks again for the prayers you guys, I means a lot. I have no new news but I'm on my way to the hospital now, he just called and sounds so out of it, I hate hospitals but over the past two years I've gotten used to them so much, it's kinda weird when walking down the halls everyone knows you by your first name and stops to talk to you, being it's a huge hospital with thousands of people, that just proves how often we've all been there. Thanks again for the comforting words they truly mean a lot, me and my family need them right now.

:bighug: Hang in there girl. I know these situations are very draining.

Jen, I'm so sorry your father and your family are struggling with this. Breathe deeply, and hang in there.

Boy, do I understand this subject all too well.
I lost my father 2 years ago and am still struggling to remember, at certain times, that I can no longer call him up when I need to. Sometimes I will actually find myself walking to pick up the phone to call him.........then I remember.
My dad too was a smoker. He died in my arms and I will always consider it one of my greatest gifts to have been able to be with him during that time.
All I can offer are my prayers and the advice to stay strong and be there. It is the most and the best you can do.
God Bless your Family during this time of life. TD

Wow, Jen, tough times. Your father is so young! I'm sorry he's having to deal with this, and I hope he can turn this bad health stuff around.

Things just seem to keep getting better an better we just learned that he may have lung cancer he's getting a biopsy on Tuesday to see what's what and even though you can live with one lung due to his smoking they aren't sure if he will be able to. I'm home now and just can't believe any of this. I know it might sound bad but I'm not even really upset or in shock I've been nothing but bad news for so long and been around a mother who is so miserable I myself forgot what happiness feels like and am so tired of being around people...I don't even know what I'm saying anymore. I feel so drained and just out of it. But I do thank those of you that have prayed for us and that continue to support me, God knows that I need support right now.

I came after a long 2 days and read all replies I have gotten, I'm talking to my sis Meri (not real sis by the way online sis) and I am feeling a lot better, for some reason this place does make me better and having people here making me know I am not alone and reading PM's from people telling me there thinking of me is really sweet. I want to thank you all again and let you know I love you (some of you), and that I am happy to be here and you put me in great spirits tonight and have many other nights as well...thank you.

jen...thoughts and prayers for you