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Kimbers197
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My dad was diagnosed with MDS a type of blood cancer 4 and a half years ago and received a allogenic stem cells transplant which cured it. Three and a half years later his blood counts are once again failing and we are waiting on bone marrow biopsy results. Some doctors seem to think he has relapsed some think it's a medication he used to be on that has caused the falling counts. We might know something next week, we might not I don't know who is giving us correct information anymore. Either way it's not looking very good for him and I just don't know how to cope or get him through it

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    Hi Kimbers,

    Welcome to Cancer Chat. I am sorry to hear about your Dad. Nothing seems too certain at the moment, so I hope that you get more clarity next week. Waiting for results is always a very stressful time, but it is even more scary when you are being told different things. I do hope that his low blood counts are due to medication, as there, may be a way around that.

    Try not to look at the bigger picture, as that is too much to cope with, but take things day-by-day and deal with things as they crop up.

    The best thing that you can do for him is to be there for him. Ty to make  him as comfortable as possible and let him know how much you love him. Are there any places that he would like to see or people who he might like to visit? If so, you could facilitate this whilst he is able. Does he like music or reading? Sometimes cancer can make a person feel too tired to be bothered reading. If this is the case, you could read to him to conserve his energy.

    Does he live alone or is your Mum still on the scene? If so, you could help out with general housework, ironing or seeing that he has nutritious and appetising meals. Do you have other family members or friends who can help you?

    Please keep in touch and let us know how he is getting on. There is always someone here if you feel like talking.

    Kind regards,

    Jolamine xx

  • Offline in reply to Jolamine
    Thank you so much for your reply Jolamine. My Dad lives alone and I live 250 miles away from him with my husband and baby. My sister lives near him and we are all very close. I think I'm panicking about what we will do regarding logistics etc if it is bad news. I just want to be near him all to help with it all but it is going to be difficult and I feel so guilty about that. Praying it doesn't come to that and trying to take it a day at a time like you said xx
  • Offline in reply to Kimbers197

    Hi Kimbers,

    Nearly four years ago my dad who lived in Canada had his prostate cancer return after nearly fourty years. He was in and out of hospital for about two years and I felt much like you. I wanted to be there to support him and my brothers and sisters but my wife has several health problems and couldnt travel. She told me to go but I couldnt as if anything happened to her while I was gone I would never have been able to forgive myself. Its been nearly two years since he passed and I do miss being able to talk to him on the phone.

    Hopefully with your dad it may be the medication as Jolamine says. Its the not knowing that is so hard to deal with.

    Take care and I hope for a good outcome, Brian.

  • Offline in reply to woodworm

    Thank you for your message Brian it's always good to get advice from others that have been in a long distance situation. Obviously keeping everything crossed we don't have to deal with any of this yet but any advice helps so thank you. 

    Kim. X

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