Having to see someone you know and love deal with an illness is always hard. Not only is it hard on the patient, but it’s also hard on caregivers, family members, and loved ones. It was especially hard for me. All I could think…No one deserves this. No one deserves cancer. November is National Lung Cancer Awareness Month and I wanted to make sure I got out awareness about this disease and how it affected (and still does) me and so many people around the world. There are so many facets that go unnoticed.
I remember the night back in November 2003, the doctor’s gave my Daddy less than 24 hours to live. They said they had to place him on the ventilator and would leave him on the machine until we got his business in order. I cannot tell you how hard that was on me and my family. My sister was in medical school at the time, and she rushed from Cincinnati to Alabama like it was a 15 minute drive across town. My life flashed before my eyes. I died inside…thinking that I had to literally prepare myself to say goodbye to the man that use to carry me on his shoulders, that walked me out on the field for Homecoming, the man who helped make my existence possible! I was (and will always be) Daddy’s Little Girl, his Scooby…all that ran through my mind that night at once. As they intubated him, my prayers increased. I refused to believe that this was how I was going to say good-bye. Like literally…I told the doctor’s “HE WILL…go home and experience some quality of life!” I’m so thankful that God hears our prayers! After weeks in ICU, my Dad came off the ventilator, AND was moved out of ICU and was even able to come home, just in time for the Holidays! All I could say was “Thank you Jesus!”
It was a bittersweet moment, because my Dad was now on Hospice Care and I knew that meant he was preparing to transition *tears*. For those who don’t know, you can find information about it here. I’ll give you a little information about it:
Hospice provides wide-ranging care and support to patients and families. However, hospice patients stop curative treatments, although they still receive medications to manage pain and other symptoms. Hospice serves people with a life-expectancy of six months or less because of cancer, dementia, heart disease, lung disease, and other illnesses.
Hospice emphasizes quality of life and patient involvement in decision making. A hospice team typically includes a doctor, nurse, social worker, counselor, chaplain, home health aide, and trained volunteers. They work together to meet a patient’s physical, emotional, and spiritual needs.
When my Dad was home on hospice care, a huge responsibility was on my Mom and myself. The hospice nurse was not there 24 hours so we were responsible for feeding, administering pain meds, breathing treatments, and amongst a list of other tasks. I worked two jobs, during the day and and had to work many nights. When I came home in the evening/night I relieved my Mom and I stayed up with my Dad until the next morning. I did this as if my life depended on it. It was nothing for me, it made me feel at ease. Some days were great, some not so great. But then there were those moments *smile* …I remember a few times my Dad would yell down the hall at me saying…”Bring me a beer, Artney!” LOL I laughed so hard! It was so hilarious, because he was SO SERIOUS! Oh goodness, let’s not talk about his bell! He had this bell he would ring when he wanted something! Lol I could walk out of the room for maybe 10 seconds, and *ring ring ring*. Oh, he was trying to be funny, because he knew we were waiting on him hand and foot!I remember my Mom snatched it from him and he laughed! lol Reminded me of one of those episodes of “The Cosby Show”! Then there were a few occasions where, he had special requests of collard greens, corn bread, macaroni and cheese…lol and my Mom made it! We knew he couldn’t really eat it, but the fact that we wanted it, made us so happy to oblige…we gave him EVERYTHING he wanted! So…during this transition period, it wasn’t all bad, it just allowed me to cherish, every single second I had left with him. It was all worth it!
I can’t tell you how hard it is having to see someone you love have to go through this, but I’m thankful for prayer, faith, and strength from God! My Dad was truly a fighter, but he also showed me that we can fight and believe in something greater! He lived longer than what the medical professionals expected and I thank GOD for that! There is hope, and I believe there will be a cure to beat ALL cancer! No one deserves it and I will continue to HOPE.BELIEVE.SUPPORT. through awareness and prayer until there is a CURE!
Thank you President Obama, for recognizing the selfless acts of compassion and love of others around Amercia, by proclaiming November National Family Caregivers Month!
Spread It…Lung Cancer Awareness
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