I felt the need to publicly thank all of you who have responded to my original thread, pm’ed me and to a fellow “local” who even spent a good portion of a stormy Ohio afternoon speaking with me on the telephone. Random acts of kindness for sure!
Since I first heard of my dads dx yesterday I have been on complete auto-pilot. My type-A personality with a little anal retentiveness thrown in has allowed me to continue breathing.
Since my dads Dr. didn’t tell him what MDS was OR what to expect, I decided that I would also withhold any info that I have learned in my crash course online study. I am just learning to properly pronounce the full word and don’t want to upset his currently blissful state.
He assumes that nothing is very serious since he “Feels fine”.
After his by-pass in 2000 he was a sponge and took everything that the Dr’s and I said as the gospel. He changed his lifestyle. He exercised (treadmill) and did a 180 on his diet.
The past year or so he has stopped exercising. After so much pain in his feet from walking he finally gave in and went to a podiatrist. 2 surgeries on each foot are needed to get him able to do any type of exercise involving him being on his feet for any period of time. He denied the request stating that he was too old to be flat on his back and unable to walk for the next 6 months. Perhaps he knew something none of us near him knew?
My step mother, who I believe cares for him deeply is the type of person that totally loses it when anyone she cares about takes ill. The ONLY thing she does is cry and clam up. When dad thought he was having a heart attack (prior to bypass) she couldn’t even call for a squad but rather gave him the phonebook for him to look up the number (they don’t have 911).
I don’t see her as EVER being able to monitor him properly nor help him once he does become dependant or in need of (possible) injections.
I am 2 hours away, own two personal business’s, a cancer and heart patient 3 year old dog and suffer from Fibromyalgia myself. Can’t forget hubby who (sorry men), can’t function without me!
As of right now I am in a hurry up and wait mode. I know what dad *might* have to face someday and if I could take it from him I would. At least I am young enough that I might have a better chance at a transplant and remission.
I don’t know what to do or where to turn. I am dumfounded, sad, depressed, frightened and if truth be told…. slightly pi**ed off.
Thanks again for being here and for allowing me to blow off a little “MDS” steam!
Susi
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