Father passed away

My dad passed away over a month ago and I cannot find the words to describe how I'm feeling. He had stage 4 Prostate Cancer and a week before he died he was diagnosed with a perforated bowel and there was nothing they could do. A week before that he was cleared for the go ahead with chemotherapy. He became very unwell the week after the go ahead and everyone such as doctors and nurses couldn't believe how fast he deteriorated. He died 5 days after coming home. He became horribly depressed in the hospital and I feel awful that he had to go in in the first place but he has sepsis. 

Everyday is strange without him, I cannot believe it has happened and although I knew it was always going to be this way with his illness, I just can't shake the feeling like I failed him. I can't believe I couldn't save him and I know I am no doctor ad there was no cure but I wish I wasn't so powerless.

I went to see him today before his funeral on the 29th, a day before his birthday. I've been feeling strange since seeing him but no where near as painful as seeing him die was. I just want him back, I don't want him to go.

I feel disconnected from everyone, nobody can fill this huge void in my heart. I can't believe I have to live for another 80 years without my Dad. I just can't believe it, the world feels so cruel and horrible. I wanted so much longer with my Dad but it would've been cruel to keep him around longer in so much pain.

I'm unsure if he knew he was dying or that he was going to die before coming home from hospital. Sometimes I wonder whether I should've told him. He asked me the day after coming home whether his prostate was ever going to get better and all I could say was No. It's never going to get better, there's no cure and no more treatment left for you. I'm sorry I don't have better news. I'm devasted that I saw my Dad being nothing like my Dad. He lost so much weight and had no interest in the things he cared about. He just wanted me to look after myself.

I am so sad and often feel like I can't bear the thought of carrying on. I seemed to be okay the few weeks after but I'm finding it hard again. I don't know if it's coming to a close with the funeral. My whole life feels meaningless. 

  • Hi, 

    I truly am sorry about your dad. Life is so unfair and cruel at times. It sounds like you did everything you could. I don't have any advice. My mum passed away 2 weeks ago of stage 4 cancer and I'm devastated. She was only 47 and I'm only 28. It just doesn't feel real. I'm in shock, I'm struggling to accept that I have to live without her. I just wanted to let you know that you are not alone. I'm feeling like I didn't do anything to save her either even though I'm not a doctor. It's just unbearable. I hope that you are doing ok even though you aren't, if that makes sense. Do you have any support around you?

  • Hello,

    Stage 4 cancer is extremely serious with so many very nasty side effects (such as sepsis, weight loss, pain, depression), and in turn all the medication treating these conditions bring on further difficulties. From my own experience during my wife’s cancer there were so many questions that could not be answered particularly how long do we have and is the Chemotherapy helping?.

    Even after 18 months since my wife passed I also feel that I failed in helping my wife enough and keep thinking I could have done more, and keep going over all the events during my wife’s suffering and as you say the deterioration in appearance and lack of interest is devasting to witness.

    It’s very difficult to carry on after a loss when everyone else seems to be enjoying theirselves and have no burdens and yes you do have a huge void in your heart for your dad, but sounds like you have had a fantastic relationship with your dad. Keep thinking of all the good memories you have with your dad, even though it makes you cry.

    Best Wishes!.