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LynnHarrelson's wall
6/9/2010 at 11:42 am
Lynn, I need your help!!! I'm grasping at anything to help my father. He was diagnosed with bladder cancer by a doctor approx. 7-8 months ago. My dad is 84 years old, a widower, and his health has
...Read MoreLynn, I need your help!!! I'm grasping at anything to help my father. He was diagnosed with bladder cancer by a doctor approx. 7-8 months ago. My dad is 84 years old, a widower, and his health has been going down hill since my mom died 9 years ago. He has been losing weight for years but very rapidly within the past few months. He refuses to seek medical treatment other than just over the counter meds. I believe the cancer is taking over. He lives on his own but I visit him very often. He walks around with only a cane and the only meds he takes is a Centrum Silver Daily Vitamin, Echanaesia & Golden Seal to rebuild his Immune System, a Tylenol PM at night to help ease any pain before bedtime, and a daily stool softener. He has a 6ft frame and now weighs only 100 lbs. I had him step on the scaled just two nights ago. It amazes me he can even walk around but he does but I'm so worried about him. He is very stubborn and suggestions are not readily accepted. He was drinking Ensure/Boost to help keep weight on but one day he got very sick and blames it all on the drinks so he will no longer drink them. He is literally starving himself to death because he can't eat and doesn't have any appetite. He has a hard time swallowing his food and sometimes when he drinks the liquid comes out through his nose. He gets easily embarrassed byt this of course. Some days are good and somedays are very bad. Today is a very bad day. He is in a lot of pain becuase he is constipated and hasn't had a bowel movement in almost 6 days. I don't know what to do for him. He has been taking stool softeners but they apparently are not working. He will not let me take him to the hospital or a Dr. So here I am, asking for help. What suggestions do you have to help my father through this stage. He is literally withering away before my eyes. I love him and want to help him but don't know what else to do.