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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 10 of 10. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by judy1 on December 29, 2004, at 12:50:31
I just got a call yesterday from my sister telling me the hospital released him saying they could no longer do anything. He was diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer 2 years ago, and has had a horrible journey of treatment. so part of me is glad he no longer has to go through the chemo and the radiation, and the other part is depressed about his being just 44, married with three kids- two in college and one young teen. having lost both my parents in my teens I worry so much about his kids- and feel completely helpless since I'm 3000 miles away from them. thank you for allowing me to vent- judy
Posted by Dinah on December 29, 2004, at 23:49:25
In reply to losing my brother, posted by judy1 on December 29, 2004, at 12:50:31
That is such a very young age. It just doesn't seem right.
I'll be keeping you and your family and nieces and nephews in my thoughts.
Posted by Shar on December 30, 2004, at 23:34:29
In reply to losing my brother, posted by judy1 on December 29, 2004, at 12:50:31
Can your brother get hospice help? In any way, shape, or form?
I am terribly sorry he is end-stage, and even more concerned that his end of life be as comfortable as possible. That can mean a variety of things from ibuprofen to methadone to morphine, if he is in the right place (the idea being a pain-free-as-possible death, with dignity intact).
As a hospice volunteer here, there are folks we visit at home, and folks we visit in the small (15 room) in-patient facility. It can be a good thing whether at home (with hospice nurses and other staff) or in-patient.
I feel very sorrowful that you may/will lose your brother. Has he said what he wants? I have resources with respect to hospice care and bereavement counseling, if you want to contact me. shar_from_babble at yahoo dot com.
All best wishes for you, your brother, and all family,
xoxo
Shar
Posted by gardenergirl on January 1, 2005, at 19:49:00
In reply to Judy!, posted by Shar on December 30, 2004, at 23:34:29
Judy,
I'm so sorry about your brother. I'll be keeping you and your family in my thoughts.Take gentle care,
gg
Posted by judy1 on January 1, 2005, at 23:06:56
In reply to Judy, I'm so sorry, posted by Dinah on December 29, 2004, at 23:49:25
Posted by judy1 on January 1, 2005, at 23:15:20
In reply to Judy!, posted by Shar on December 30, 2004, at 23:34:29
Thanks, Shar. He is at home with his wife and kids with a nurse visiting daily. I know he's on morphine and I'm guessing it's a fairly high dose so I don't know how 'aware' he is. I had suggested he seek group support or one on one counseling when he was feeling better a few months ago, but he told me he wan't comfortable with that type of scenario. So I guess we (the family) need to respect that. I just re-read "The Five People You Meet in Heaven", I find the premise of the book so comforting. You do good work, Shar- I appreciate your offer of help.
take care, judy
Posted by judy1 on January 1, 2005, at 23:16:15
In reply to Re: Judy!, posted by gardenergirl on January 1, 2005, at 19:49:00
Posted by Shar on January 7, 2005, at 22:40:14
In reply to losing my brother, posted by judy1 on December 29, 2004, at 12:50:31
How is it going--with your brother, you, all around?
xoxo
Shar
Posted by judy1 on January 8, 2005, at 12:53:16
In reply to Re: losing my brother » judy1, posted by Shar on January 7, 2005, at 22:40:14
thank you for asking, Shar. I haven't heard anything other than he got a staph infection recently and had to be rehospitalized for that. I'm guessing maybe it was a result of being cathed? anyway, his wife (and I'm guessing that it's his wishes) is keeping fairly noncommunicative. I guess we all handle grief differently.
Me? I'm fine (really). I'm just so incredibly grateful for my family and my own health- when this type of thing happens- and thankfully rarely-I tend to take stock of where I am. plus it's a new year for me to mess up :-).
thanks again for your concern, and hoping you are doing well?
take care, judy
Posted by Shar on January 10, 2005, at 22:36:22
In reply to Re: losing my brother » Shar, posted by judy1 on January 8, 2005, at 12:53:16
Judy,
I'm very comforted to hear you are doing well.Me, not so much; but thank you for asking.
I hope your brother has very much pain-free peace in his life.
Shar
This is the end of the thread.
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