Hi ChattyChicken!

Welcome to the forum. Your Dad sounds quite a character! In his case Alzheimer's may be a blessing in disguise, though it can also be a cause of distress when someone can't remember why they are feeling ill.

My Mum in Law has Alzheimer's and kept forgetting that I have cancer. Every time she was told about it she went through the whole cycle of emotions (shock, disbelief etc.) which was distressing -  I just don't mention it any more. 

Best wishes

Dave

Hi Dave, I hope I am doing the right thing, I have never posted a reply on here. First time today! I am so sorry about your Mum in law and also for you. What type of cancer do you have? I wish I could talk to Mum about it, but sadly she died in April. I am scared - I don't know what to expect when I get there. I know the dementia has sadly increased and he has started to have speech difficulties (all part of dementia). Dad was an actor in his hay day and was Jim Fletcher, the prison warden, in Prisoner Cell Block H. In this country, in Scotland, Dad and Mum (an actress) were good friends with the actor Brian Cox and he used to be a stage hand until Dad saw the potential in him! Brian regularly came round for mugs of tea or a sandwich. Dad's long term memory is amazing and he loves telling the residents and staff about his acting days! He used to stand in the "prison" studio, behind the Queen B, Bea Smith, as she was "shouting at a prisoner". Serious moment. Yeah, right! Dad stood behind Val Leaman, put his two fingers above her head, like rabbits ears! The Cameraman is shaking with laughter! I am still going through shock and denial over Mum's death - "no, they've got it wrong, she's not really dead". Keep hearing my sister on the phone at 7am, "Mum died this morning". What is it about the word "died" that has such an impact on us? I will see Dad in the middle of June in Australia. But dreading it at the same time as so excited about it? It would be good to talk to someone who is going through it. I am sorry you are going through cancer. Are you getting support? Talk soon, thankyou. Oh, how do I attach more photographs to the profile? Want to put up pic of Dad, of Mum and of my husband.

Kind regards, Diane

PS Dyed my hair purple last night in honour of raising awareness of pancreatic cancer, diabetes and dementia (all these diseases have purple as their awareness colour)

Chatty Chicken -You are amazing! I was feeling so sorry for myself -your brave post made me ashamed to be so miserable.  Please keep sharing your strength and hope.

God Bless xxxxx

Hi Dave,

That must be horrible for you both. Cancer and Alzheimer's are wicked diseases. 

Keep Strong!

Hi Diane,

Wow, you've had a lousy four years in your life recently. Sometimes it is only a few years afterwards that we sit back and wonder how we got through it all, but somehow we do.

I have Cancer of the Oesophagus - diagnosed at Stage 4 in October 2013. I had chemo from then until January 2014 when my post chemo scan showed that my cancers had shrunk by about 50%. This was a complete surprise to everyone, including the Oncologist, as the chemo was only really supposed to stop shrink it slightly and stop it growing. So far the remaining cancer has stayed dormant - I have CT scans every six months or so to check on it. As soon as it starts growing again the plan is to zap it with chemo. 

I used to watch Prisoner Cell Block H in the wee small hours and remember your Dad's character. There was an interview with Brian Cox on TV last year and he mentioned that he started out as a stage hand in Glasgow - it really is a small World! 

I hope your trip Down Under goes well and that you get to have some quality time with your Dad. Does he live in Victoria where they filmed the programme? I visited Melbourne quite a few times between 1977 and 1992 - it is a lovely place. 

Not sure if you can add more than one profile photo on here, though you can add photos to your posts.

Must go - I've just noticed my iPad is down to 5% charge!

Best wishes

Dave