Haven't updated in a while... - Cancer: Lung Message Board

Ayre · 11-23-2006, 09:49 AM

Well my dad just got out of the hospital for an infection. He was in for 11 days. At first, we were told it was pneumonia...at which point I began to think the worst. But we were quickly reinformed that it was only an infection. His white cells were down for quite a while but the antibiotics fixed that in a couple of days. He was released tuesday night and now has a nurse coming to his home to give him shots in his belly because he has a blood clot in his arm. He's so weak and tired all the time. His chemo was stopped due to the infection but it begins again on Monday and I'm worried. I really don't think he's strong enough to survive all this! How do you cope? I almost have to pretend it's not happening when I'm not speaking to them or are around them just so I can live a normal life without being stressed out that the next time I see their number on call display that it's going to be "the" phone call. Sorry, just needed to vent a bit. Thanks for reading!

mabegb · 11-23-2006, 10:34 AM

ayre~ i'm sorry all this is happening. we never truly know how strong we can be till we have to go through something like this. i hope you and your father are able to enjoy atleast some of the holidays. i will be praying for you that he gains strength to endure the fight. and also for you sto stay strong. many prayers are coming your way.

ellengrace · 11-23-2006, 10:59 PM

Hi, Ayre

I hope your Dad is regaining some strength: it's understandable that he would be weak and tired after his time in hospital, fighting an infection. In addition to giving him his daily injections the nurse will be monitoring his progress, so try and allow that thought to ease your worries a little.

Your Dad would want you to live your normal life as much as possible; no parent wants their child overburdened with anxiety or stress, so if your coping strategy is "to pretend it's not happening" when you are away from your father then that's a good thing.

I hope your Dad recovers sufficiently to continue his chemo next week, and my prayers are offered for you and your family.

Kimslos · 11-26-2006, 07:34 PM

Hi-
Sorry to hear your dad landed in the hospital, but happy to hear he is out! Have you expressed your concerns to his doctor? I remember when my husband was hospitalized in Feb and he had to have blood transfusions and had an infection he was to have chemo the following Monday, but we asked the doctor to let him have a week off to regain his strength and the doctor agreed so it was not a problem and a wise decision on our part. My husband also was hospitalized in July 05 with 2 blood clots and to this day just takes a coumadin daily.
Try to stay strong for your dad and be there for him.
Prayers,
Kim

Ayre · 11-26-2006, 08:35 PM

Thanks everyone, I haven't actually met his dr. I am/was a surrogate mother and I just gave birth to twins on the 12th of November so I haven't been travelling to dr's appointments or anything with him...my step-mom and aunts have been. I only get updates from them when they see the Dr. He sounds tired most of the time but tells me he's feeling good everytime I ask. I think he's trying to spare me the worry though. Anyway, nothing new so far, chemo starts again tomorrow and hopefully he'll be ok with it. I'll update again soon.