Bad News

[seraphflight]

I received some bad news a few days ago. Bluntly put, my brother's cancer has returned for the third time. No more chemo or operations for him, the doctor has instead offered tablets which can only slow down the cancer's progress. He's feeling okay for now, and intends to carry on as normal for as long as he can. He seems quite resigned to the inevitable. He doesn't know how long he's got; two or three years, maybe. Everyone in the family knows about it, apart from our mother. Her dementia means she probably wouldn't understand anyway, and certainly once told she'd only forget about it again, minutes later, though her feelings of being sad (for reasons she could no longer remember) would linger, and so my brother doesn't want her to know.

Comments

[author_by_night]

*Hugs* I'm so sorry.

[seraphflight]

Thank you.

[cairistiona]

I'm so very sorry. *hugs* I think it seems wise not to tell your mother about this. It's always tricky, with dementia patients, to know how and when to tell them sad news and absolutely depends on how much information they can still process. What a hard and sad time for your family.

[seraphflight]

Thank you.

She is unable to process new information at all. She doesn't even recognise me when I visit, even after I've told her who I am.

[silver_trails]

I am sorry. Cancer is an awful thing. *hugs*

[seraphflight]

It is a horrible disease, for sure. He's determined to carry on as normal for as long as possible, and can't abide the idea of people tippy-toeing around him or of making a fuss.

[rhoda_rants]

Ugh. I'm so sorry. That's never the news you want to hear. Sounds like a good call to leave your mother out of it though.

[seraphflight]

Thanks. I agree with him about not telling her; there seems little point, as she wouldn't understand anyway.

[earthspirits]

I'm so sorry to hear this. *gentle hugs if you'd like them*

[seraphflight]

Thank you.

[strange_complex]

I'm very sorry to hear this. I hope he continues to enjoy a good quality of life for as long as possible.

[seraphflight]

So do I, and this is what he's aiming for. He doesn't want to be treated any differently, or want others to feel they have to act more carefully around him. For now, he's seemingly okay and still able to follow his interests, and says his arthritic hip gives him far more trouble than the cancer.

[nerakrose]

I'm so sorry to hear this. I hope he and you will be able to enjoy what time he has left.

[seraphflight]

Thank you. This is his intention, too.

[lisette_laviolette]

My thoughts are with you. Most sincerely.

[seraphflight]

Thank you.