[Gate Keeper]

Originally Posted by RPWC

Evening all, not been posting much lately, been back and forward to hospitals visiting my sick aunt. Things aren't looking particularly bright for her atm. She received the diagnosis we had all been dreading last week, and they can't operate.why? I don't know and neither does she.Waiting to hear from the specialists at another hospital atm, see what the plan B is, if there is one.She had the fluid drained last week, and was able to eat almost normally for a couple of days, but it has built up again, and she is unable to eat anything other than a couple of mouthfuls.
Saw her tonight, and although sitting in a chair and being chatty, rather than being in bed, is very fed up. She just says if only she could eat and drink normally, she could cope better.
She is 82, and up until about 8 weeks ago, a very fit active, and sprightly 82, who you wouldn't;t take to be a day over 70.
A heathy eater, only an occasional drinker, always looked after herself, took loads of vitamins and supplements, for what? It boils my .... to think of those who abuse their bodies with alcohol, tobacco and drugs, yet they live a long and problem free life, and the innocent are the ones that get struck down. I know that is not the case all the time, and not saying that those who abuse their bodies should be punished , but they are the ones who chose to take the substances, knowing fine well the risks involved in doing so.
I shall probably be absent from the zone for a bit, apart from a morning and evening visit.
I am worn out trying to work, lead my life and visit each night.

Hi Richard, you ask why they don’t operate. I can think of a few reasons. Your aunt is too weak for surgery, the cancer is embedded where it is inoperable, or the cancer has spread into the lymphatic system or another reason is an operation could shorten her life significantly. I remember looking after a man with Ca Stomach who was given 3 months to live. After surgery, he died within 3 weeks. I never will never forget it. I was in charge of the surgical ward when he passed away. His wife tried to scratch my eyes out, blaming me for his death..... That is the nature of grief and cancer. It is unpredictable in how some people survive and how some don’t. In grief, some never get over it. .....Recently, my youngest brother saw the Oncologist, as his Ca Prostate had returned after being free of it for 4 years. A PET scan showed it has spread to the bones, inoperable. He is now on new hormone treatment which is slowing the cancer spread and growth down. The Doctors have said this treatment will give him more time, it could be 2 months or 2 years or more. It proves they don’t know everything. What they are unable to measure or forecast, is the human spirit and the will to live.