Now in Hospice Care for us - they say end of journey is near

jethro-t
jethro-t Member Posts: 20
edited March 2014 in Esophageal Cancer #1
Sad to say, we haven't been on here in a while. My husband (hal) was diagnosed Nov. 30, 2009. He has fought long and hard. Chemo and radiation off and on for the past 10 months. His last two CT PET Scans revealed the chemo was no longer working and even though we gave it one more try with another type (Epirubicin and Xeloda), the best time we had was from March 2010 thru June with the Oxaliplatin and 5FU (keeping it 'stable" for months. Now the cancer is invading his liver. It had already metastasized to his muscles and some bones back last year. Last scans reveal much progression. He has gone down quickly in the last month and is now in hospice care, hospital bed at home, knots visible all over his frail body.

It breaks our hearts and although I have gotten on here reading some of your updates over the last few months, I just couldn't bring myself to post because I was sad for such wonderful people being lost to this terrible disease. And now I'm losing my dear husband, WHOSE CELEBRATING HIS 58th Birthday today!

We never give up praying for our miracle of healing to happen here and now, but we are also preparing for healing if it should take place in heaven.

I appreciate all the love and support I have felt from this site, even when I couldn't say anything, it just helped to read your journeys.

Rhonda
(Jethro-T) Hal

We have a caringbridge site if you'd like to view photos and read more.

www.caringbridge.org/visit/halirwin1

Comments

  • sal314
    sal314 Member Posts: 599 Member
    #2
    Dear Rhonda...
    I've been on this site since March and haven't had the opportunity to correspond with you. I just want you to know that my thoughts and prayers are with you, your husband and family. Keep the faith and know that God is near to you even as you go through this awful time.

    My father was diagnosed in March. He's doing well, but his cancer is in his liver and spine. He has scans this week to see if the cancer has remained stable or spread further. I know our time is limited and it breaks my heart to know he will soon be following the path of hospice care. All one can do is hope for a miracle while embracing that which God has planned.

    Blessings to you all.

    Sincerely,

    Sally
  • oriontj
    oriontj Member Posts: 375
    #3
    Rhonda
    I'm so saddened at your news...I will pray for you and your husband.

    orion
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    #4
    This comment has been removed by the Moderator
  • sandy1943
    sandy1943 Member Posts: 824
    #5
    Rhonda, My prayers are with
    Rhonda, My prayers are with you all. I praise God for the promise of healing, If not here on earth, but in heaven. Then all tears will be wiped a way,and we will be with Jesus forever.
    Sandra
  • JaneE2366
    JaneE2366 Member Posts: 289 Member
    #6
    so sad
    Rhonda,
    It makes me so sad to hear your news. I will continue to keep you and yours in my daily prayers.
    Jane
  • unclaw2002
    unclaw2002 Member Posts: 599
    #7
    Rhonda,
    I am so saddened to
    Rhonda,

    I am so saddened to hear your news. It is horrible how this horrible cancer takes the ones we love away from us. I do want to say I went to your caringbridge site and smiled as I looked at the pictures you have posted. There is so much love there and I was touched by them. I will keep you and your family in my prayers.

    Many hugs,
    Cindy
  • MRapp226
    MRapp226 Member Posts: 44
    #8
    Hi Rhonda. I am so sorry to
    Hi Rhonda. I am so sorry to hear of your news. It is a tragedy that so many of our loved ones had to suffer through this awful disease. My father was officially diagnosed on August 9th and passed away at home on August 29th. He was only 54 years old. I know what you are going through and want you to know that I am thinking of you. Stay strong.

    Warmest regards,
    Melissa
  • jethro-t
    jethro-t Member Posts: 20
    #9
    sal314 said:

    Dear Rhonda...
    I've been on this site since March and haven't had the opportunity to correspond with you. I just want you to know that my thoughts and prayers are with you, your husband and family. Keep the faith and know that God is near to you even as you go through this awful time.

    My father was diagnosed in March. He's doing well, but his cancer is in his liver and spine. He has scans this week to see if the cancer has remained stable or spread further. I know our time is limited and it breaks my heart to know he will soon be following the path of hospice care. All one can do is hope for a miracle while embracing that which God has planned.

    Blessings to you all.

    Sincerely,

    Sally

    thank you all
    for the sweet and caring comments. We are truly living in a hard day as we watch our once strong husband and father become so weakened. The pain he has been living with for quiet sometime, has begun to increase and so has the medications. It's hard for me, but harder for our two children, ages 22 and 18. There's still much we wanted to do together. Our 25th wedding anniversary will be April 2011, our son will graduate May 2011. What plans we wanted to celebrate in this new year.

    Now we await what God's plans are for us. We pray for that miracle each and every day. Thank you all for your prayers and support.

    Rhonda (jethro-t)
  • lindadanis
    lindadanis Member Posts: 235
    #10
    MRapp226 said:

    Hi Rhonda. I am so sorry to
    Hi Rhonda. I am so sorry to hear of your news. It is a tragedy that so many of our loved ones had to suffer through this awful disease. My father was officially diagnosed on August 9th and passed away at home on August 29th. He was only 54 years old. I know what you are going through and want you to know that I am thinking of you. Stay strong.

    Warmest regards,
    Melissa

    so sorry
    so sorry to see you go through this terrible ordeal, I just lost my husband to this cancer one month ago and it is devastating and yes, very hard to see another person go through what I just went through. I am sending you lots of prayers for you and your family.

    linda
  • linda1120
    linda1120 Member Posts: 389
    #11
    jethro-t said:

    thank you all
    for the sweet and caring comments. We are truly living in a hard day as we watch our once strong husband and father become so weakened. The pain he has been living with for quiet sometime, has begun to increase and so has the medications. It's hard for me, but harder for our two children, ages 22 and 18. There's still much we wanted to do together. Our 25th wedding anniversary will be April 2011, our son will graduate May 2011. What plans we wanted to celebrate in this new year.

    Now we await what God's plans are for us. We pray for that miracle each and every day. Thank you all for your prayers and support.

    Rhonda (jethro-t)

    I am so saddened for your family
    Dear Rhonda,

    I want you to know you are in my prayers as you go through this difficult time. I am sorry that you have to lose your partner of 25 yrs to this devastating disease. My husband of 35 years is fighting it right now and it is painful watching them suffer. My heart goes out to your children, it isn't fair that they are losing their dad. We don't understand why these things happen and never may know, but I am grateful we have a Heavenly Father that will welcome us when it is our time to pass.

    Linda

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