Hi, im new to the group. I’m 61 years old. yesterday my dearest father was diagnosed with oesophageal cancer, he’s 89 years young. I’ve been living with him and my mother for almost 4 years in a caring capacity even though they are very good for their ages and are very self sufficient. The only problems they had were usual age related things but my mum had more than dad, well so we thought, yesterday I had a train driven through my world. my dad, who’s always been my world, my hero, was given the horrific news, life will never be the same. The strange thing, and only good thing, is, he seems fine, no he can’t swallow food unless it’s mush, but apart from that, you’d not know there was anything wrong with him. The “C” (I can’t write that word) has spread to lymph nodes and his lung, we don’t know to what extent. We are waiting for our referral to the oncologist to discuss treatment options and then dad also has the choice of a stent to open the oesophagas, but can’t have that if he’s having other treatments. it’s breaking my heart to even look at him, what’s he thinking, he looks so sad and told me he was feeling down this morning. I’m shattered. I can’t get it off my mind, I’m struggling big time, I don’t know what’s going to happen or how life will go, it’s the fear of the unknown. I don’t want a life without him, dad is the most caring, kind and lovely man, everyone who meets him, loves him. I’m scared, I feel sick, but this isn’t about me. I know the time he has left is about making memories etc and we are going to go away with my children and families, one big group of us, which dad will love, as soon as we know what his treatment is.. I’m just writing this for any advice or help, I’m like a lost soul who is broken in 2, however do I cope. I have 2 siblings who don’t get on with me, they barely see my parents, once a month or sometimes every 2 months, they both live local to us, they only care about themselves, they think I’m after mum and dads money but the fact is I’m here so they can stay together and will never need to go into age care facilities. anyway, that’s me for now, just wanted to get my name in the group, any advice would be greatly appreciated, how will my life ever be the same again, or be happy, I know the answer…..it won’t! 😔
... View more