Fuck Cancer

F Me In The Brain said:

We all have to die of something but damn if your. Grandpa does  not seem like he is going to live forever.  Wow.  What a life..  What an amazing man.

Thanks. The best moments of my day are when I look over at him after my grandmother says something funny and he smiles at me as if to say "yeah, she really is crazy but I think I'll keep her." Little moments like those are priceless. 

WhatYouTaughtMe said:

My sister lost her battle with cancer. It's been a long struggle and she was a real fighter, but she's no longer suffering. She always looked out for me and I truly hope she still is some where. 

FUCK CANCER

brianlux said:

pjpjpaul said:

Just found out my 95 year old grandfather's throat cancer is back with a vengeance. He was cancer free for about 8 months but now it's back and apparently there are cells in lymph nodes now as well. I am his and my 97 year old grandmother's full-time caregiver and I'm just heartbroken to get this news.  He had 6 weeks of radiation last year but it sounds like immunotherapy or chemotherapy are the only real options if we choose to fight this time. This is from a news article in Richmond VA last week that featured WWII vets and this portion is dedicated to him-

"Thomas Edward “Tom” Story grew up in the Florida Panhandle and worked at a shipyard in Panama City before being drafted into the Army. He served in the 88th Infantry Division’s 351st Regiment and saw combat as part of the Allied campaigns in Italy near the end of the war. He was there when the fighting ended and helped transfer German prisoners of war back to Germany. Later in the summer of 1945, he was on a ship headed to the Pacific when President Harry S. Truman gave the order to drop the atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. The ship then turned around and headed home. 

For his service, he received a Bronze Star and Purple Heart. 

After the war, Story made the Army his career for 30 years, reaching the rank of sergeant major. He spent much of that time working in a support role with the U.S. Army Band. 

Now 95, Story survived a bout with throat cancer last year. He lives in Henrico with Beatrice, his wife of 72 years, daughter Lelia Wirt, and grandson and caregiver Paul Wirt. They have three children, five grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren. 

“Our family got to know many of the vets from the 88th Infantry Division over the last 20 years through the reunions … but deteriorating health, diminishing numbers of members and COVID have put those wonderful trips in our rear view for the most part,” said Paul Wirt. “We cherish every moment we have with my grandparents and try to learn from them every day.”

https://richmond.com/news/local/world-war-ii-veterans-carry-memories-of-service-75-years-after-the-fighting-ended/article_3634509c-b8e7-5519-8673-b10e5fd63f34.html?utm_campaign=snd-autopilot&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook_Richmond_Times-Dispatch

Best wishes for your grandfather and major kudos for care-giving.  That is huge.

Thanks. Yeah caregiving has been the unexpected and hardest but most rewarding experience of my life. Both grandparents are severely handicapped and his condition has just gone downhill over the last couple of years. They both have congestive heart failure and he has the cancer as well as kidney failure, orthostatic hypotension and a few other issues that limit mobility. At this point he doesn't really walk and is a severe fall risk if he stands and its getting to the point again where he can'tswallow or eat so I have to administer tube feedings 5 or 6 times a day. If I wasn't here my family would be spending over $200,000 a year for a skilled nursing facility for both grandparents so we are fortunate that im in the position to be able to care for them. Each day brings its own challenges and moments of success and failure but at least we are together and able to share the moments. 

Sucks, man, sorry to get this update

Cancer, you can kiss my ass and then die of cancer, yes I want cancer to get cancer.  Then I want cancers cure to be the worst set of side effects ever, and in the end not work anyhow.

FUCK CANCER

pjpjpaul said:

My grandfather began his immunotherapy l treatments last week. So far the only side effect has been fatigue so he basically sleeps all day now. I hope he can eventually swallow and eat solids again and regain a little strength but we shall see. He is supposed to have a scan at the end of next month to tell us how effective the treatment has been. 

Fingers crossed for him and your family. 

So sorry for your loss.  

pjpjpaul said:

My grandfather passed away last Sunday after a long battle with throat cancer. We called hospice in for one day and he passed the next day. He was ready. I sensed a change in his condition last Thursday and by Sunday he just couldn't fight anymore and was ready. Having spent so much time by his side every day the last several years I'm not sure I will ever fully heal from his loss. He was like a father to me for the last 20 years. 

I am so sorry for your loss. I know you have posted many wonderful things about him here.  It is great that you were able to develop a close relationship with him over the years. Keep that in your heart. 

Prayin for him PJpjpaul