Living with cancer

So...on we go!

Dad has been doing pretty good considering he's getting to that six month mark. He has been in the ICU for a week, due to his heart. He stopped eating as well, until we brought him back home. He is really brave but needs his chair.

On my part, as a daughter, it is difficult to see my big, strong Daddy, need help with so much. But, such is life. I think for the most part, God allows us to deteriorate to the point where we can let go of pride and allow others to assist us. Then, we are "ready" to die. Dad said he isn't "there" yet. Good. I am not ready yet either.

What good is all this doing? Well, plenty. It has made us all closer as a family. We have rallied together. We have discussed important issues and have agreed to go along with Dad's wishes. I thank God that he has aligned himself with the teachings of the Church in these end of life issues. The Church says that everyone deserves water and food aka hydration and nutrition. It is so tragic that millions die each year at the hands of the medical personel who convince the family that the loved one is "too far gone"/"in the end-stage"/"not able to benefit from hydration" and the person actually dies from being dehydrated to death aka SHIAVOED.

Take for instance Dad: Cancer everywhere. Cardiac arrythmias:atrial fibrillation that went to ventricular tachycardia, Kidneys "failing", confused and very weak. If we hadn't been blessed to be in a Catholic hospital with rules about these types of things when one calls them on it...they may have suggested we "let him go with dignity". All they would have had to do was NOT give him an IV. He was already ill from the stomach flu and got dehydrated, hence the arrythmias. In a couple of days he would be dead because of no fluids.

They gave him the medical care and the humane care of fluids and voila': Back home, still waiting to see my brother's baby and waiting for another of them to marry. He is glad to be alive, despite the suffering. He knows it is God's will for him to try and live until God decides to take him.

I don't know how much longer Dad has on the Earth, but I will cherish each and every day with him. He may be a proverbial pauper, but he has nine children and their families who love him, as well as a wife,who serves him. He is richer than most I know.