Hi Bill - how are you doing? Max x

Hi Max,

Sadly I am the same and feel I can be nothing else under the circumstances, I have Max like most people had some sort of trauma/tragic event in my life but nothing ever can prepare you for what is unfolding with my daughter/ an adult child of any age. I know people mean well when they say you must seek help but in all honesty their is nothing at all in this world can give me what I really want and that is not having to lose my daughter, sadly Carrie is damaged now either by her illness the chemo or the radiation if I had been in the position to be her principal carer and been able to speak for her I do not think I would have given permission for either the two treatments I mentioned. But that was not in my authority to do so, I believe her quality of life would have been better over a longer period of time but I/we shall never ever know.Max how did it go at Christies for you? are you glad you went etc? and how is your family.  Bill.X

Dear Bill .......... I can understand what you are saying Bill and I cannot imagine how painful it must be to see your daughter deteriorating with this awful illness. Only you will know if you feel the  time is right to seek outside support for yourself. The journey of this illness is full of 'if onlys' and wondering if the right decisions were made at the right time or should we have gained more info over a treatment plan. We all look back and think maybe things would be different 'if only'. Like you say Bill - we will never know, so its best to not torture yourself over past decisions and think of what is now. I think of you and Carrie a lot and my heart goes out to you and others in your situation - I of course can offer no answers or advice as to how you get through it all but maybe one day your experience can help and comfort another family going through a similar journey.

Thanks for asking about me - I had my scans 10days ago and go back to Manchester on 5/6/13 to see if I will be eligible for a liver operation. It has been awful waiting to hear some news especially as whatever answer I am going to hear is not ideal. I will either be facing a massive and dangerous operation within the week or be told that it cannot be done and I will not live for many more months. I also have to decide whether the potential benefit of the op is worth it - it will give me a little extra time but I will still be on chemo and treatments throughout my 'extra time' and be prolonging the stress/pain to myself and my family. As you have said - will we ever know if we make the right decision?  - cos I havn't a clue what to do for the best!

Please take care of yourself and your family - have lots of hugs with your lovely daughter and keep in touch. Max x

I often think of you also Max and you are in my prayers as with your family and thank you again Max for your concern and kind words to me and my family. I realy do hope that you can gain what you prayer for because I truly believe that if any person deserves to have their wishes come true it is you Max.  BillX.

Likewise Bill. Reading some stories on here - and especially yours - its difficult to imagine all these families coping with such painful things. My husband summed things up the other day when i mentioned to him that a very fortunate couple we know were arguing about where to spend their 2nd holiday this year. I said to Andy 'my goodness-what a thing to fall out about - they ought to live in the real world! His answer was 'they do my love - its us that dont!!' 

That hit home at how right he is - we are living on a parallel with the 'real' world and all normality has gone for good. I tell myself that bad things happen to good people. So thank you 'good person' for all your help, prayers and comfort and I will speak to you soon. Definitely let you know how the 5th goes. Max x

Thanks Max we will surely speak again BillX.

Hi Bill,

I'm sooooo sorry that you are losing your beloved daughter before your very eyes. I haven't had personal experience of brain tumours but I have read some blogs and my best friend's husband died of a tumour a year ago. It is common for the tumour to completely alter the person. It is like other brain diseases like alzhiemers (sp?) or significant brain trauma due to injury - the brain is a very sensitive organ. I would imagine the person who did decide that treatment wanted to give her every chance to fight the disease. I heard one Mum who died of a different cancer say she wanted her children to know she had done everything possible to stay with them for as long as possible... even if that meant trying things with horrible side effects. I guess every person's choice is different.

I probably shouldn't offer you any advice about how you should/shouldn't respond - I can only imagine your grief. All I can say is to give her as many cuddles as you can - for you and her. And, more important than your own grief, her children need their grandad to be strong for them and to remember her with them... tell them lots of stories about her and let your love for her shine through. Make her childhood be real for them and also not 100% faultless. Allow that she might've not always reacted perfectly or behaved the right way but that you always loved her regardless and that she felt the same for them. She would not want her children to believe she was a saint and they have to try to be perfect.... they need to know that she was perfect because you loved her... not because she never put a foot wrong.

Best wishes for the rest of your journey.... I'll be thinking of you and Carrie.

xwaterbabe

Thanks Waterbabe for your kind words and thoughts. BillX

Hi Bill,

How's Carrie? And how are you? I hope you;re ok - thinking of you.

xwaterbabe