 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Dec 2003 Posts: 2,606 Likes: 2 | Kim,
Welcome! I am sorry to see your situation and wish there was a quick and easy answer. Unfortunately, we all have to deal with our stuff in our world in our perspective in our time. There is no doubt your dad is struggling with depression about his illness and his disfigurement. These are both pretty significant life issues and I can understand his struggles. He really needs someone professionally trained to help him emerge from his hole.
You are so right, HE HAS SURVIVED! He was given another opportunity in life that many don't get. Does he have any interests or hobbies. If you could take his most favorite thing to do and help him do it around other people, it would get him going. The hardest thing in life is to get someone out of their pity party once they become entrenched. We all have been there...some just choose to remain there.
Don't give up. Your dad is fortunate to have someone who cares so much for his quality of life.
Ed
SCC Stage IV, BOT, T2N2bM0
Cisplatin/5FU x 3, 40 days radiation
Diagnosis 07/21/03 tx completed 10/08/03
Post Radiation Lower Motor Neuron Syndrome 3/08.
Cervical Spinal Stenosis 01/11
Cervical Myelitis 09/12
Thoracic Paraplegia 10/12
Dysautonomia 11/12
Hospice care 09/12-01/13.
COPD 01/14
Intermittent CHF 6/15
Feeding tube NPO 03/16
VFI 12/2016
ORN 12/2017
Cardiac Event 06/2018
Bilateral VFI 01/2021
Thoracotomy Bilobectomy 01/2022
Bilateral VFI 05/2022
Total Laryngectomy 01/2023
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