Losing the first man I ever loved - my dad

My dad was diagnosed with bowel cancer three years ago. He had an operation on his bowel and chemo and was told after that he had the all clear. But the cancer returned this time in his liver but again all was not lost and he had another operation this time removing nearly half of his liver and again was given the all clear. However 10 weeks after the operation my dad became very unwell again and our worst fears came true. He had four new Tumors on his liver and there was nothing more they could do for him. My dad asked the doctor about time and was told 4 months, my dad seemed ok with the news but I fell apart. My hero, the first man I ever loved was going to be taken from me and I have never felt pain like it in my life. My whole world fell apart in that moment. I decided to leave my home with my partner who was so supportive of this and move in with my dad to look after him in his final months. It's now a year later and dad is still with us in body but my the dad I know has slowly disappeared. Over the last few months my dad has suffered every ailment you could think of and watching go through this is so painful I am close to loosing my mind with heartbreak. We have had get carers in to help us as I can longer cope on my own. I know my dad hates having to depend on other people and is mad with me for getting help as he wanted it to be just me and him but i had to make the decision to save myself to be able to look after my dad. I am so scared and so heartbroken and am already grieving for my dad as he disappears before my eyes. He has no peace in his body and mind and watching this is tearing me apart. The only thing I have to hold on to is that his suffering will end and he will find peace but a selfish part of me wants that to not be soon. I just hope my dad knows how much I love him and he will always be the first man I ever loved 

  • I am so sorry to read about your dad and what you are going through. I lost my dad 6 weeks ago to the day, long story and too complicated to go into now. However, although I was able to be with him before we had to call an ambulance, afterwards for his last few days I was unable to visit him and unable to be there when he died. 

     

    Please know that your dad knows how much you love him by what you are doing for him. However, from my experience, tell him too. I was only briefly able to tell my dad I loved him for the last time, because I rang the ambulance and it was all too complicated and he was being brave, and although I know he knew, I wish more than ever that I could have been with him to nurse him in his final days, instead of him being on a ward with strangers, and that I could have finally been there at the very end.

     

    So, keep being brave and strong and remember, you are tougher than you think. What you are going through is horrendous. I know, because I too have lost my hero, but I know now that you will get through this dreadful time because you are doing it for your dad. 

     

     

  • Thank you so much for your reply. I am so sorry for your loss and can't imagine how hard it was not being able to be with your dad. I will make sure to take your advice and let him know how much I love him.

     

    I hope you can find some peace and know that your dad knows how much you love him. Just hearing from someone who knows what this feels like has helped me already. I'm so greatful for your reply and wish All the best.