Sad Christmas

[muscadine]

My Papa's cancer recurred...again. Last time was about a year ago. He went for testing a few days ago. The results are not good:

[T]he doctor says the cancer can not be cured but they have offered him two chemo treatments to try slowing it down. There is a one in four chance the chemo will be effective.

So, this will be the last Christmas with Papa. He has a chemo treatment on the 27th. This will be my first biological grandparent to depart. So it's going to be tough. My mother and her sisters are not dealing with it well at all. Haven't since he first got cancer. This won't be a cheery Christmas.

I knew when I decided to move out here that the odds were I would not finish before at least one grandparent died. That in fact they might all die before I finished my PhD. But they would be the first to say how proud they are, and that this is what they wanted for me: to go out and see the world, to do something I love, etc. That doesn't make it any easier.

Comments

[coolerbythelake.livejournal.com]

i'm so sorry to hear this... i don't know what else to say, it seems like such a tough thing to go through.

[roxywabbit.livejournal.com]

Wow, babe. *hug* I know this is hard, and there's nothing I can say to make it easier but if there's anything I can do for you, even just be a shoulder, let me know.

[reannon.livejournal.com]

Oh my. I'm so sorry. :( There really aren't words. Even when you see it coming, it's still so painful.

[daret.livejournal.com]

Although we aren't too familiar, I'm sorry that this has happened, but all I can say is, take a deep breath and press forward with hope. Prayers.

[lady-elsinore.livejournal.com]

I'm so, so sorry, Jason. I hope the chemo can buy him some time to see all the family he wants/needs to see, say his goodbyes, and get things in order. There never are the "right" words to say for this kind of thing, but my thoughts are with you and your family. I hope he isn't in too much pain...

[legolastn.livejournal.com]

I don't think there is really anything much to say. Presence is enough.

[legolastn.livejournal.com]

I had a good cry earlier, before posting. And have had some small ones since. Thanks for your presence.

[legolastn.livejournal.com]

Yeah, there's not much to say or do. It just sucks.

[legolastn.livejournal.com]

Thanks, yes. It's bad now. And it will likely get worse as things progress. But in the end it will be about release. And I know he's ready.

[legolastn.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I haven't gotten clarification on just what the various prognoses are if the chemo does or doesn't work. In a way I'm actually more worried that things will drag out than that they will go quickly. Because I know he wants the latter. I don't think he's in pain yet, although I'm sure the chemo will change that... Thanks for your presence.

[scarcrest.livejournal.com]

My thoughts are with you and your family, J.

[firinel.livejournal.com]

*hugs, if you'd like* I'm sorry, hon. If there's anything we can do, let us know. You're in my prayers.

[voyage2k.livejournal.com]

A year ago, my beloved aunt announced to our family at Xmas that she'd been diagnosed with terminal lung cancer. She was offered treatments that were merely pallative. I lost her in June. I feel your pain, and you will be in my thoughts. Cherish the time you have, as I know you will. I'm so sorry.....

[hellokittydildo.livejournal.com]

My thoughts are with you. If there is anything I can do to help please let me know.

[kamui--x.livejournal.com]

My heart goes out to you. I couldn't imagine facing that. *hugs*

[sleepingwolf.livejournal.com]

In the process of catching up, I saw this. It reminds me of my late grandfather, who died shortly after Thanksgiving my first semester at college. *hugs*