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Beginning of the end?

HelenB83
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April 2016 my dad was diagnosed with a glioblastoma multiforme IV. 10hr operation to remove the tumour, which he breezed through! Was up walking the wards the next day and went home 2 days after the op...he's 68 I might add and went home and started knocking walls down in his house! (He was redoing his kitchen not just knocking walls down for fun hehe!) 

But then he went through 6 weeks of chemo and RT which totally wiped him out...he's never been quite the same and sadly the treatment was ineffective.

So here we are...10 months later, starting to stare at the reality end when the average life expectancy for his condition is 12 months. It was gradual at first but I can see more and more things about him going downhill...vision, dizziness, his strength, he's sleeping more and more then will sleep some more! He can't walk properly anymore he just shuffles along and it's terrifying watching him go down stairs! Never one to be outdone he's also now got vertigo!

He has an appointment tomorrow with his consultant, she will have his latest MRI results...I'm pretty sure it won't be good news...

He started off pretty positive about the whole thing, it is what it is kind of attitude! These days he's pretty fed up...

Apologies for the rather depressing post...sometimes putting it in words seems to help with the coping process!? 

 

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    Hi HelenB83

    Firstly, id like to say sorry for all that you are going through. Your dad sounds so much like mine. Mine was diagnosed with bladder cancer 10yrs ago, he fought so strongly for all that time then last year we found out it had spread to his kidney and by Christmas he was terminally ill with it spreading further to his liver, blood and bones. He has gone from being a food and beer loving jolly old sole - also 68! To a very thin, frail and confused old man within the space of a few weeks.

    its hard when the deterioration happens so fast, especially after you've seen them fight so strongly previously. My dad has also become fed up but I guess it's understandable when they have fought so hard against such a nasty disease. 

    Its a difficult thing to cope with. One of the things I keep thinking is that it's not looking likely that my dad will ever see me get married or have children (I'm 30) and I feel awful for that. But then when I visit him, he gives me a little smile, through all of his pain and I know that those things don't matter right now. All that matters is spending the precious time that we have together and him knowing that I'm there for him through all of this. 

    Putting your feelings into words is definitely a good thing. this forum is a wonderful place where you have the opportunity to sit and say exactly what you feel and know that people around here are feeling or have felt the same way. People here truly understand and all together we will be able to maintain strong for our loved ones. 

    I hope you find peace by writing your thoughts on here and wish you all the very best going forward. I hope your dad is comfortable and as happy as he can be 

    take care

    kimmy xx

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    Hi Helen, so sorry your dear Dad has this vile brain cancer... i lost my lovely sister to it too.... i just wanted to say, your story reads just like hers did, and yes, 12-15 months is the survival time given . MY sister also had radio therapy, and chemo, which did nothing. I wanted to try and reassure you, my sisters passing was very very peaceful, surrounded by all her family, she just slipped away when we had all nodded off... there was no pain, no drama, just us and her and the syringe driver they gave her to help her be comfortable. I wish i could say he's going to be fine, but i hope i can help you with your fears, by sharing my experience of glioblastoma .

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