My father, whom I live with, is 95 and in treatment for bladder cancer. His behavior has changed, but he tested negative for cognitive impairment.

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My father, whom I live with, is 95 and in treatment for bladder cancer. His behavior has changed, but he tested negative for cognitive impairment.

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My concern is he has moments of being civil to outright rude to me. If I bring it to his attention he says he does not like to be challenged. I never know when he is going to go off on me. My question is there any benefit to documenting these episodes? Any other suggestions would be appreciated. His provider, Veterans Admin. already said they would not do an MRI

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Willie, see my response to the poster.

If the cancer is contained to the bladder, there may not be any pain. The only way my parents were aware of a problem was when they had blood in their urine. Mom had the cancer in the tube going to a kidney. That and the kidney were removed. After a scope a few months later, lesions were found in the bladder itself and she started Chemo. If caught early it very curable. Then a scope every 3 months, then 6, then a year.

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What kind of treatment are they giving a 95 year old man? I imagine that he is sometimes in pain, always uncomfortable and in fear of his impending mortality, I can't say I blame him for being moody. Atul Gawande's book Being Mortal is something I recommend you read to gain some perspective

https://www.agingcare.com/products/being-mortal-medicine-and-what-matters-in-the-end-433866.htm

or AgingCare has this article

https://www.agingcare.com/articles/an-end-of-life-conversation-led-by-gawandes-questions-205721.htm

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Thank you for responding. His treatment is cystoscopies about every 3-4 months. The cancer has invaded the bladder wall but not outside. He has had two bladder scrapings. No pain whatsoever. They will not remove the bladder due to his age. I have talked to him about what he will be facing down the road. He is aware but does not want to discuss it. I am only concerned about this behavior change because he often does not even remember what he says . I do not engage when he tells me to shut-up or move out, simply walk away.

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You can document them and next time he sees a doctor give him the list. This way the doctor can ask questions based on what you wrote down..
Do these outbursts come late in the afternoon? If so, it may be sundowning. Chemo for bladder cancer is fairly invasive since it is directly put into the bladder. Both my parents had it. Dad in his 70s, Mom at 80. There was no after effects. As long as the cancer hasn't broken thru the wall of the bladder and spread, its curable. Has Dad always been this way or only since the Chemo.

"He does not like to be challenged" What do you do that makes him feel challenged? Remember, you are the child. At 95 I wouldn't push him to do what he doesn't want to. Pick your battles.

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Thank you for your input. There is no chemo, only if goes outside the bladder. As far as his behavior, it has escalated within the last 2 years.
As far as challenging him, it can be something as simple as disagreeing with him about a topic of discussion, my choice of making a change to surroundings ie move a chair, a plant..doesn't matter. I am concerned that if this is Dementia/Alzeimer's approaching which is best to worry about.

My father, whom I live with, is 95 and in treatment for bladder cancer. His behavior has changed, but he tested negative for cognitive impairment.

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