'Carer'? I think that's offically what I'm called.
1 minute read time.
FormerMember
So..... very strange of me to come and actually 'post a blog'. I am of the younger generation, 25, looking after my father who has an advanced stage of testicular cancer. I've been researching the net to find various cures for hiccups.... tiredness etc and came across people's blogs and though 'hey I could do one of those!'.
My father has just finished round 3 of BEP. And I will tell you, he told some porkies during his initial treatments. He was never tired, never felt ill, and was 100% all the time. Unfortunately this was not the 'acutal' case.... he was pretty tired but ashamed to admit it. After going at 100MPH for most of his adult life, he couldn't bear to admit he was struggling. He has his own business with some 100 employees and to him, putting up the front of being well was very important. I even think it made him feel better than he did before, power of mind over matter.
Anyway, tonight, he is on his 4th day of not being able to manage any food, and I had to take him into hospital over the weekend where is he is still being looked after (and very well I may add). I just want to tell you proud ones out there to be honest about symptomns after your first few rounds of chemo. Pretending your not tired is not clever, and the doc said to me tonight that if he had been open about it they would have sent him away with different drugs and he would be much better. The nurses call him 'the entrepeneur' as he arrives for chemo treatments with one suitcase full of clothes, and two full of work. Not bright, you have to relax and chill out!
I am positive he will be better within the next few days. He now has some 'syringe drivers' to apply meds and is as cheeky as ever, albeit somewhat more raspy and tired.
He has just received an invite to the queens garden party and I couldn't be more proud. I can't wait until he is out of hospital.
You are so very right about flagging up 'proud people'. My hubby did the exact same thing. Going for his weekly reviews his stock answer to 'how are you today Peter?'.... 'Oh, I'm OK!' It wasn't clever, as you say, it didn't help him at all, just made him suffer more. He will not do it on his next round of chemo, he has learned a big lesson. Please share your problems with the medical staff, it will help people in the same position at a later date. Maybe some of the chemo and radio are still on a trial so it has to be monitored carefully. I wish your Dad the best with the rest of his treatment. His working hard is probably the best way he can handle his diagnosis but he does need to rest also.
Have they changed his chemo now that they know the side effects are too much for him?
I agree with Cheryl, maintaining his life style previous to diagnosis if very important. But he needs to know his limits and probably now that he's getting rest and cared for at the hospital, he'll learn to set boundaries.
im caring for my mother who like your dad is proud and says that shes ok each time the nurses ask. in fact she is worse than ever im telling the drs shes bad she however is saying im ok. i watch her getting worse daily and am at my wits end i feel like im banging my head against a brick wall as the medical staff dont believe that im picking my mum up out of faeces daily and trying to force her to eat. what am i trying to say please be honest with your carer as we suffer watching you suffer when if the medical staff knew the situation they may be able to help you.unfortunatly they cant help unless the patient tells them the truth. honesty really is the best policy.
Wow, it sounds like what you are going through is 10X worse than me. Thank you so much for your support, it really is appreciated. Well done for doing such a good job of looking after your mother, it's admirable.
