Worried about my dad...

ShannonMVT · #1 January 25th, 2009, 09:25 PM

He was treated for brain cancer back in 1995. Since then he's had lots of problems with short term memory loss and really bad hearing loss. But despite these things he's been able to still live a decently normal life.

But lately he's been having false memories, he will be convinced that someone has told him something and it's just completely not true. Like he swore my brother told him that my SIL was pregnant and my brother never said that. Also he's been hearing things that are not there. At first it was just when his hearing aid was out and my mom thought maybe it was a result of the progressive hearing loss and hearing phantom noises. But now he is hearing voices that are telling him they are going to kill him and threatening him.

Or he'll hear someone outside shooting the car. Crazy things and very paranoid. Just in the past week this has suddently gotten so bad. My mom will tell him it's not real and he'll agree with her that there is no way it can be real. But then 20 minutes later it is the same thing again. He called 911 today to tell them that someone was threatening him.

He goes to the doctor tomorrow. They did a CT scan of his brain last week and some bloodwork. The dr told my mom on the phone it could be frontal lobe dementia caused by his brain radiation years ago. I'm not sure because the symptoms don't add up totally and I really hope it's not that because it doesn't sound like there is much they can do if it is.

I am so worried. I just want them to be able to help him. Right now my mom really can't take care of him if he stays like this, she is having to watch him like a hawk. And he has said repeatedly through the years that he would rather die than have to be in a nursing home or care facility.

I am scared and frankly, pissed off. Life can never be easy can it? There always has to be some part of it that is $hitty and awful.

Adriana's Mommy · #2 January 25th, 2009, 09:51 PM

I will keep your dad in my prayers..

Radiation and Chemotherapy can do a lot on someones body and it can affect them years down the road. That's how serious those treatments are. I do hope your dad get's better.. My only advice to give you is that if you believe in God, put all of this in His hands.. He will take care of all of your worries.. :smlie:

Here's a song you should listen too.. It's a Christian song and it reminds you that your not alone.. Read the comments too

http://www.godtube.com/view_video.php?view...c3ad98e25305abb

soImarriedAnerd · #3 January 25th, 2009, 10:12 PM

I will keep him in my thoughts

~* Helen *~ · #4 January 26th, 2009, 01:24 AM

Aww

Mars · #5 January 26th, 2009, 04:57 AM

T&Ps coming your way.

*kyle* · #6 January 26th, 2009, 05:04 AM

It is just awful what your family is going through. Your poor dad, I am sure this doesn't reflect his true personality at all. It's a good thing he'll be getting checked out neurologically. I'll be keeping your family in my thoughts.

petalfuzz · #7 January 26th, 2009, 05:14 AM

Oh, dear! I hope there is an easier solution for this situation! Your family will be in my T&P for sure! ((huggles))

~Caroline~ · #8 January 26th, 2009, 06:03 AM

I'm keeping your dad in my thoughts. I know how scary that situation can be. My sister had brain cancer when she was 15 (she's 28 now) and she has no short-term memory at all. And I remember before her treatment, she would have false memories too. She didn't feel threatened or anything, it was more like she was looking for her blue shoes when she didn't have any blue shoes, or she'd tell my mom I had called when I hadn't. It's scary.

midnight_starr · #9 January 26th, 2009, 06:06 AM

I'll keep your family in my thoughts hon

#10 January 26th, 2009, 02:06 PM

I'm sorry Shannon. Life really is a B**** sometimes. Your family is in my thoughts

Mod-LadyCoconut · #11 January 27th, 2009, 04:51 PM

Shannon I just hate this for you, on top of everything you've been through lately too! ugh! Please keep us updated on how your dad's doing. This post just really hit me because that's SO scary and I can't stop thinking about you guys and how difficult this must be. ((((HUGE HUGS!))))

*krista* · #12 January 27th, 2009, 05:04 PM

I really hope you get some answers and, more importantly, some good news.

ShannonMVT · #13 January 27th, 2009, 08:02 PM

Hey girls, thanks for your thoughts and prayers and keep them coming.

He got in to see the neurologist FAST which is awesome. The neurologist said he thinks it is dementia but he wouldn't classify it as one type or another. He ordered an MRI and a pysch evaluation just to be sure of what's going on. He has him on Aricept, so we are hoping that helps. If not, he may go on anti-psychotic meds. I know my mom cannot take care of my dad in this state, long term. So I'm hopeful they can get something sorted out so that he is not hearing things and having delusions.
My older brother has been down there with them and will be through tomorrow which I am SO grateful for that he has been there to support and help my mom.

This is still really sucky, but I am feeling like we are going to take this one step at a time. We will figure out something, it just may not be what we hoped for or planned for. I am trusting God that He will take care of us. I can't worry myself sick, I have to be control my stress levels because my little guy is depending on me.

Mars · #14 January 28th, 2009, 03:54 AM

I really hope they can figure something out. You're right about trying to control the stress on yourself. It will be difficult but hang in there.

Angelaosaurus-rex · #15 January 28th, 2009, 03:10 PM

((HUGS)) How awful! That poor man, first brain cancer then this!!! I really hope they can get this fixed!!! Tons of T&P's for you, your dad and the rest of your family!

BambolinaItaliana · #16 January 28th, 2009, 03:15 PM

hugs i am so sorry you are going through a bad time! take good care of yourself and that little one, and my prays are with your dad! hugs

lauren in hi · #17 January 29th, 2009, 07:11 AM

Sorry you are going through this, and I hope you can get more definitive answers soon.

amazing_love · #18 January 29th, 2009, 08:23 AM

I'm sorry you have to go through all of this!! That sounds really scary! I'll keep you and your family in my thoughts and prayers!

Quote:

I will keep your dad in my prayers..

Radiation and Chemotherapy can do a lot on someones body and it can affect them years down the road. That's how serious those treatments are. I do hope your dad get's better.. My only advice to give you is that if you believe in God, put all of this in His hands.. He will take care of all of your worries.. :smlie:

Here's a song you should listen too.. It's a Christian song and it reminds you that your not alone.. Read the comments too

http://www.godtube.com/view_video.php?view...c3ad98e25305abb[/b]

I love this song!!