Update: Skipper
I'm sorry I haven't posted here for awhile. I've been mostly on the head & neck and caregiver boards lately.
My sister(bc)is still fighting. She was given 2 days to live about 3 months ago. Now though I think the end is near. She hasn't eaten in about 2 weeks and she's pretty incoherent. I don't think she recognizes her family most times and doesn't seem to grasp what is said to her. I am hoping she finds peace soon. She has suffered way too much. Her hospice benefits ran out for this benefit period so the family has been very stressed & exhausted taking care of her. A home health aide comes in once each day but the family is responsible for bathing and all other basic things. If she is still with us Jan 1st her hospice care will kick in again. The total family income is too much to get free hospice care - although the family just doesn't have the money. It's $135 per day. I was very surprised that hospice took away her air mattress and the pads around her hospital bed so she wouldn't get hurt if she fell out of bed again. Why couldn't they just leave them? The family had to scramble and find replacements from friends and church. Hospice was the family lifeline and they were devasted when they were told that hospice care would end until the new benefit period kicks in. That was so cruel. How could they abandon a family that is so exhausted both emotionally and physically (my sister doesn't sleep at night even with drugs and the family still has to work the next day - everyone takes turns but no one gets a good night's sleep or even some night's sleep some days).
My husband (head & neck cancer) has mets to both lungs now with emphysema complicating things. Surgery is no longer an option. Tomorrow we find out if he has mets to anywhere in his abdominal cavity. I hate the waiting. He will start Erbitux treatment tomorrow as well. Hopefully it will extend his life many more months. He's doing okay now and not in much pain. He is able to enjoy watching football and can still work at our home based business. He's lost a lot of weight and it's sad to see a man who was once so physically fit become so frail.
Thank you all for past prayers and support. You are all in my thoughts every day even if I'm not posting. I pray for you every night. Stay strong and keep fighting.
Skipper
Comments
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Hi Skipper.
My heart goes out to you and your family. Sounds like it is coming from all directions. I hope you will take the time to nurture yourself. Remember on the airplane when they tell you to put the oxygen on yourself before helping someone else? Very important. I will keep you in my prayers.
Roseann0 -
Be Strong!
Skipper,
You are dealing with so much now, so hope you remember to take care of yourself. I'm so sorry to hear that your sister is not doing good. I'll say a prayer for her that she doesn't suffer. Cancer sucks! I'm dealing with my first Christmas without my husband. He died in March of lung cancer after only being sick 2 months. Can't wait for the holidays to be over.
Please hang in there & just do the best you can. Take care! Carole0 -
Oh Skipper,3Mana said:Be Strong!
Skipper,
You are dealing with so much now, so hope you remember to take care of yourself. I'm so sorry to hear that your sister is not doing good. I'll say a prayer for her that she doesn't suffer. Cancer sucks! I'm dealing with my first Christmas without my husband. He died in March of lung cancer after only being sick 2 months. Can't wait for the holidays to be over.
Please hang in there & just do the best you can. Take care! Carole
I am so sorry
Oh Skipper,
I am so sorry for all that is happening right now. I am so surprised about Hospice. It makes me sad and angry.
I always thought that they were free with volunteers. I can't imagine having to pay for it. How cruel that they took the things from your sisters bedside.
I didn't have to pay for my Dad when I took care of him (lung cancer) but his only income was social security and he didn't last very long while Hospice was involved.
Prayers for all of you and please try and be strong even though I know it's so hard.
Hugs,
Wanda0 -
Skipper my heart goes out toLighthouse_7 said:Oh Skipper,
I am so sorry
Oh Skipper,
I am so sorry for all that is happening right now. I am so surprised about Hospice. It makes me sad and angry.
I always thought that they were free with volunteers. I can't imagine having to pay for it. How cruel that they took the things from your sisters bedside.
I didn't have to pay for my Dad when I took care of him (lung cancer) but his only income was social security and he didn't last very long while Hospice was involved.
Prayers for all of you and please try and be strong even though I know it's so hard.
Hugs,
Wanda
Skipper my heart goes out to you.
Im with Wanda about hospice...im shocked and mad about what they are doing...can they actually do that...Cuz thats just inhuman and cruel!
My prayers are with you and your family!0 -
Aww Skipper
What a tragic and sorrowful situation you and your family are in.
Prayers for you all and special ones for your husband and sister.
Makes me want to cry. How strong you must be. I feel shame for the little difficulty that I sometimes go through.
May God and all his angels be with you all during this difficult time. However, Im glad your husband is still able to do some things to keep busy. Praying for no futher mets and the med will work wonders.
Prayers and positive thoughts for you all. Katz0 -
Skipper
although glad for the update sorry to hear that your situation has not improved. Your sister has been hanging on for awhile and I'm sorry about your husband's mets. Wishing you a peaceful holiday and know that you and your family are in our thoughts and prayers.
{{hugs}} Char0 -
I am so sorry Skipper.Lighthouse_7 said:Oh Skipper,
I am so sorry
Oh Skipper,
I am so sorry for all that is happening right now. I am so surprised about Hospice. It makes me sad and angry.
I always thought that they were free with volunteers. I can't imagine having to pay for it. How cruel that they took the things from your sisters bedside.
I didn't have to pay for my Dad when I took care of him (lung cancer) but his only income was social security and he didn't last very long while Hospice was involved.
Prayers for all of you and please try and be strong even though I know it's so hard.
Hugs,
Wanda
I am so sorry Skipper. Sending prayers and hugs.
Leeza0 -
Skipper -- Love and prayers going out to you and yourladyg said:I can't imagine
how difficult this must be for you. Just make sure you take care of yourself so you will be able to take care of others. I will keep you and your family in my thoughts and hope the best for you.
Hugs,
Georgia
family. I can not imagine the pain and fatigue you and your family are in. Bless you all.
Hospice is a wonderful organization -- we utilized services when my father in law become ill and pass on 1-20-09. Hospice is part of medical treatment, and insurance provided. Once programs or insurance's hit max levels .. services often subside. I don't understand Hospice taking away equipment needed to comfort a love one - facing their final days on earth. PLEASE take to your sister - Doctors.. see if they can help or offer another solution.
Damn our health care system, or shall i say ...Lack of it - what happen to compassion?
Strength and Courage for you Skipper and your extended family.
Vicki Sam0 -
((((( Skipper ))))sbmly53 said:Skipper,
I am so sorry for all you have to endure. You and your family are in my prayers.
Sending wishful, hopeful, positive thoughts and warmest hugs your way,
Sue
Skipper, I am so sorry. I am reaching out across the miles and giving you the biggest hug ever.
Sending prayers and huge hugs to you!
Sue
0 -
Sending prayers for you andladyg said:I can't imagine
how difficult this must be for you. Just make sure you take care of yourself so you will be able to take care of others. I will keep you and your family in my thoughts and hope the best for you.
Hugs,
Georgia
Sending prayers for you and your family skipper. I can't imagine either what you are going through at this time. God bless you!
Lex0 -
Skipper, be sure and postKathy09 said:hugs
Sending a hug your way. Sounds like you have alot going on in your life with this terrible disease. Keep your spirits up. Hearing stories like this makes my ned of bc seem like nothing at this point. I will keep you in my thoughts.
Skipper, be sure and post again to let your sisters here know what is going on. We will worry about you otherwise.
Hugs, Megan0 -
Reading this is so sad. I am so very sorry that all of this has happened in your family.ladyg said:I can't imagine
how difficult this must be for you. Just make sure you take care of yourself so you will be able to take care of others. I will keep you and your family in my thoughts and hope the best for you.
Hugs,
Georgia
Keeping you in my thoughts and prayers,
Megan0 -
Praying for your familyMegan M said:Skipper, be sure and post
Skipper, be sure and post again to let your sisters here know what is going on. We will worry about you otherwise.
Hugs, Megan
during this very difficult time.
We are thinking and praying for you. I agree, take some time for you so that you can stay strong for others.
Hugs to you,
Sylvia0 -
Just sending you big hugssea60 said:Praying for your family
during this very difficult time.
We are thinking and praying for you. I agree, take some time for you so that you can stay strong for others.
Hugs to you,
Sylvia
Just sending you big hugs and lots of prayers.
Hugs, Angie0
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