(no subject)

[catsidhe]

My grandfather is in hospital. His prostate cancer has spread, and he now has tumours in his brain. He has good days and bad days. Both times I have visited he has been lucid and remembered us, but even then he would forget names, and I have heard that he has lost visits from family, and had times when he couldn't finish a sentence.

Steroids are helping, but it is all palliative. When I first visited, a week ago, he said that he expected to go home over the weekend. He probably won't go home again. Mim says that while I was out of the room when we visited on Sunday, he said to her quietly that he didn't think he was doing too well. I think he knows that he's not going to get better from this one.

He is still himself, he is just frustrated (and angry, and probably frightened) when his memory fails him so completely, and he can't manage.

The doctors said that it could be any day now, but it won't be longer than months.

We hope that he has a heart attack earlier than later. We want him to have a dignified death, while he still has his self.

Comments

[neefsck.livejournal.com]

My Sympathies to you and yours.

[catsidhe.livejournal.com]

Thank you. They're appreciated.

[sjl.livejournal.com]

It sounds cruel, but I extend to you and yours the hope that the end, when it comes, is peaceful, painless, and quick.

[catsidhe.livejournal.com]

On the contrary, it is the long drawn out wait which is cruel.

But thank you.

[celsa.livejournal.com]

I hope that it ends as well as your grandfather would wish given the circumstances. *sympathises*

[tau-iota-mu-c.livejournal.com]

Ah fug; not good. Take care of him and yourselves.

[sealwhiskers.livejournal.com]

I'm so sorry.

[(Anonymous)]

That's tough, not a great time. I wish you and your family all the best and hope your grandfather has as much comfort as possible during these hard times. He must be getting on in years, sounds like a pretty good innings! Your kids are lucky to have been able to know him, hopefully they're old enough to remember him in the future.

-- mpp