It was my Dads 90th birthday yesterday and unfortunately he spent it in hospital 😳
Nothing major but at his age even minor stuff requires care that my Mum (86) just isn't capable of. They still live in our family home completely independently.
I at 64 reckon I've inherited some pretty good genes 👍
90 is a big one. Congratulations to him. Yes Chris you should expect a good innings yourself with those genes. Good health is our true wealth.
Hey Chris. Best of luck to your Dad :onya:
He looks bloody good for 90 Chris. My Dad passed just recently at 90 & he wasn't in that good nic as your Dad. :onya:
Lookin good Chris👍My Mum is 94, her quality of life not brilliant.
Many happy returns to your Dad, is he still working as well? Just wondered with him wearing the Hi Viz gear :stir:
Congratulations. Judging by the sparkle in his eyes he is loving life. :onya:
He says a big thank you for all your best wishes 🙏
Will he's in the dressing gown (SpecSavers) perhaps 🤔 😂
Today visited my 94 old Mum.Shes almost impossible to talk to, hearing doesnt decipher what you say.Losing her sight but still glad to see me, thats not a common occurrence for me😂 Full on tests to get in, RAT etc, mask on. Then later find out 18 covid cases found this arvo, not me i hope. Had Covid Xmas 2 yrs ago,was just not fun.
Well an unfortunate update after Dads 90th celebrations.
MRI & PET scans confirm stage 4 lung cancer with spinal cancer from neck to hips. 1 rib has a metastasised cancer. He's commenced immunotherapy as chemotherapy would kill him.
He's home and convalescing after the news. He's very philosophical about dying, "you don't live forever son" he's lived a long and adventurous life. Smoked cigarettes from 14 until 61, his first stroke. Has been living with COPD for 20 years. So if you smoke it will harm you ☠️☠️☠️.
Thats so sad but his attitude is excellent.Hes been lucky to live to 90. I have 2 60 yrs or so mates on couple of yrs at most, my Daughter telling me today,41 yrs,chemo has saved her life but eyesight now no good.Ride hard, its a tough life to survive all the other shit.
Very sorry to hear about your Dad, but good that he's at home and has that attitude about life. Still, tough for you all.
Great attitude your Dad has mate. Carpe Diem, and as Grog says, ride hard.
Sorry to hear that Chris.
...
Thankyou for your kind words gents.
I'm a Buddhist so we celebrate the life, weather it's 9 minutes or 90 years, no thoughts about death really as nirvana awaits us all and another higher life form in respect of
re-incarnation.
No doubt I'll be saddened by his passing but I won't grieve so much as celebrate his lifetime of achievement. 🙏🙏😎
Amazing attitude Chris :notworthy: I dont do religion, my theory is, so many great friends/family lost in my years, well all meet up somewhere. So many secrets to tell :grin:
Buddist, the only religion that makes any sense. Because as far as I'm aware it's not really a religion as there's no gods, just the teachings of how to live life you try & follow?
Quote from: GSXKING on Thursday, 26 December 2024, 11:43 AMThankyou for your kind words gents.
I'm a Buddhist so we celebrate the life, weather it's 9 minutes or 90 years, no thoughts about death really as nirvana awaits us all and another higher life form in respect of
re-incarnation.
No doubt I'll be saddened by his passing but I won't grieve so much as celebrate his lifetime of achievement. 🙏🙏😎
Thank you Chris for sharing.
In my younger years I had a strong confiction that god does exist. That was supported by a pretty large number of very personal experiences.
Despite that, about 13 years ago, I decided to take the following view.
Quoteconfess themselves to be hopelessly ignorant concerning a variety of matters [including the matter of God's existence], about which metaphysicians and theologians, both orthodox and heterodox, dogmatise with the utmost confidence.
https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/atheism-agnosticism/?ref=whcolony.com#DefiAgno (https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/atheism-agnosticism/?ref=whcolony.com#DefiAgno)
To me the purpose of life is life itself. No need to know if there is an existence after death.
However, I recently had an experience that points to a continuance after death.
My best mate's mom died. About 4-5 days prior to her death I told my mate that she would die on the 21st this months. He replied "your mom is calling her". The two were friends, having worked straight nights as nurses together for a number of years. She was suffering. I wished her that she did not have to suffer any longer. But she held on. I felt that she was doing a favor for my mom. Giving me a message. Pretty weird thinking some might say. All by chance if she dies that particular day. Well she held on till the 21st. The likelihood of chance decreased as she died at 00:21. "right on the minute" my mate said. No proof there,; that's right. But... my moms death date was the 21st of December. To me, due to some of my previous beliefs, a very significant date. It's been in my mind very frequently since her death. So make what you want of that. Maybe it will comfort some. That's why I decided to share.
My dad is 88. I venture to say that he is the fittest of his age group in the county. Still plays competitive table tennis. Rides bis bicycle on average a thousand km a month. Keeps his household and garden as well as himself in order and clean. But the end is coming closer. This x-mas he had an event. Similar to recent ones but so intense that he thought "that's it". The symptoms, in my somewhat professional judgement, could be signs of an impending stroke. Last thing (among others) I want for this active man. He should die on his bike or while standing at the plate during a game. The later he almost did in 2005. Major heart attack. Collected 2 pulmonary embolisms and several pneumonias in the time since. Hard to believe that there will be anything that could end his life. He just keeps on ticking until his biological clock has run out of juice. Never moaned or complained about anything; even though he experienced much hardship. He is an inspiration to me and others.
A quick death without much suffering is what I wish for everyone.
Chris, that's what I wish for your dad as well.
My Fathers birthday same date as a Grandson. While celebrating Grandsons birthday, cutting his cake, phone rang, my Wifes father died at that moment.🤷 Many yrs ago that was
Andre firstly thanks for sharing your experience and thoughts.
Dad is convalescing at home which is where he is most comfortable and Mum is more settled.
It's funny now he's on regular pain killers his pain level has plateaued. He still thinks he's going to get better.
Anyway as long as he remains positive he's happy.
Radiation therapy will commence in the new year hopefully.
What will be will be 😒
Update on Dads health 😪
Unfortunately he's now been diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer ☠️☠️☠️ MRI and Pet scan shows a trail of cancer through his entire spine and a metastasised cancer on his right rib cage that since they biopsyed has exploded 💥
Now on permanent pain relief losing weight rapidly (no appetite) and starting to lose the ability to swallow.
Hospital oncology ward currently with an ACAT assessment on terminal illness so progressing to a hospice situation until palliative care is required. Mum not dealing with that particularly well, however now knows she couldn't give him the care he will require.
He's been very stoic and reiterated his thoughts of "at 90 you have to die from something".
As I've mentioned before Buddhism celebrates the life lived not the death because reincarnation is the next step to a higher being. Be kind in this life.
I quote The Rock "it's nice to be important, but it's more important to be nice"
I'm not morbid or melancholy yet, he's led a wonderful life. Married to my mum 66 years on 13/3/25 been a great Dad. Taught me a myriad of things over my lifetime. I have specific memories of our time together.
Sad news Chris, but good to hear that the appropriate specialist services are swinging into action.
Although your Dad's being stoic, it will be a tough time for your Mum who will grieve multiple times before your Dad dies and thereafter. Support from her family and friends will be a great help to her.
Although you do have your Buddhist beliefs, don't forget to look after yourself during this challenging time.
So sorry to hear that Chris.
He sounds like a bit of legend. :hat: 66 years wow! That's quite something!
Just a quick update on Dads progress.
We found him a palliative care facility close to home so Mum can visit easily and regularly.
He's still losing weight rapidly but that's to be expected. Although the food there is much better than the private hospital he was previously in.
My Mums 85th birthday today 🥳🥳
I took her to MtGravatt hotel for a schnitty, chips & salad.
First decent meal she's had for a while I think because she shoveled it down lol 😝
Fortunately her health is very good 👍
I'm glad I have a longevity gene 🤞🤞
May I extend my sympathy Chris, these times are never easy but there may still be some good moments - grab them and hold on to them.
Pete.
Well unfortunately it didn't take long Dad was placed in palliative care last Saturday and had a fall Thursday morning fracturing his right hip quite severely. His COPD is also severe and he has pneumonia so no opportunity to anaesthetise him. The only alternative is to sedate him and slowly increase morphine until the inevitable.
We wait now for a peaceful death ☠️
The deterioration of his health is my most concern but the palliative care people assure me it's quite normal 🙏
Anyway I'm so thankful for the lifetime he's given me and my mum.
Death awaits us all so always look on the bright side of life as Monty Python sings in the background lol 😂
It's tough to watch Chris, but you and your Mum will find some peace in being with your Dad on this last stage of his life. Your Dad will also appreciate what you're doing for him.
The sedation will do its stuff, and you should have time to say what you want to. Precious moments.
I feel your pain Chris. I hate death, seen too much of it, yet it the one thing that comes to us all. Watched both grandparents die, my father, my mate & my son. Death sucks, gotta live life while we have it.
Sorry to hear of your dad's situation Chris. Have been through the same with our families. It's not an easy time for anyone. Morphine has it's place in keeping loved ones comfortable at this time. From personal experience i believe their hearing still functions long after we believe it has ceased, so your loving words are never wasted.
Kia kaha Chris.
Hard situation Mate, just gotta get through it.Exact same as my Dad.Never easy for any of us.
So sorry to read about your Dad's worsening situation Chris.
I went though it with my Dad during his final years. He had Alzheimers and had several falls at home, where he lived alone since Mum passed over thirty years ago.
He was fiercely independant and incredibly stubborn and wouldn't allow any carers into his house apart from me. I did everything for him in the last two years he was alive, including bathing him.
Finally the falls got the better of him and he was hospitalised and then moved into a care home. He hated it and every time I visited him he would be pleading with me to take him home. It broke me completely because it was beyond my control. After many visits I just sat in my car outside the home and bawled my eyes out before driving home.
Finally last April I got a phone call just before midnight to say that he was in a bad way. I raced over from South Wales to Bristol in record time with total disregard for any speed limits.
I sat,held his hand and talked with him for his final five hours until he passed away peacefully in his sleep at 05.25am. Due to the morphine he was out of it, but I like to think that he knew I was with him for his final few hours.
He was 94 years old, and had led an incredibly full life packed with adventures all around the world.
It's a sad and difficult time Chris, but I do know what you're going through, and my thoughts and best wishes go out to you my friend.
Thankyou all for your kind words and memories Dad passed at 1pm today. Bobbie and I were visiting with him, mum holding his hand and he took his last breath. No labouring at all just stopped like that. Snaps 🫰 fingers.
They don't make men like him anymore so many stories and adored his wife and two sons.
He moulded me into the man I am today 🙏
P.S. it was our 3rd wedding anniversary today and I had a weekend planned in the city overnight. Bobbie said let's put that on hold and do it for her birthday in March. No fuss no bother and that's another thing I love about her ❤️❤️❤️
Sorry for your loss Chris but what an innings, what a top man - you must be so proud :)
So sorry Chris,time will heal.We remember amazing👍
Sad news Chris, at least he wasn't alone and had his family around him. I was with my mother when she died last march and it was very peaceful she just drifted off in her sleep.
Quote from: Notty on Saturday, 22 February 2025, 06:58 PMSorry for your loss Chris but what an innings, what a top man - you must be so proud :)
Thanks @Notty my chest swells with pride when I think of everything I've accomplished because of Dads guidance.
He was an avid motorcyclist and never discouraged me. 🏆🏆🏆
Sorry for your loss Chris. My thoughts and condolences at this sad and difficult time.
Sorry for your loss.
Condolences and love for you and your loved ones
I am sorry for your loss Chris. Very good that you have a great support in Bobbie.
My condolences Chris.
He went peacefully, with family present and his wife holding him...a good way to go.
Condolences Mate.
D.D.
Condolences Chris, what a great many memories to celebrate.
Carpe Diem
Argh Chris! - sorry to hear this - thoughts with you and family.
Stan
Haven't been online much lately so just saw this.
Condolences Chris.
I'm glad things were peaceful in the end and you could be there.
Thanks Mike 🙏🙏🙏
Sorry to hear about your Dad Chris after the joy of your Milestone post.
Well today I collected my Dads ashes whilst heading to a delivery so decided to take him for a drive in my truck. He would have loved it 👍👍 :cheers:
I told Mum just now I'm riding to work tomorrow and I'm putting Dad in the panniers and taking him for a ride 🏍�🏍� lol 😂
I admire that you see a bit of fun and are light of heart at this time. The ones we love would not wish us to be sad for long but to laugh as we remember the fun times we shared.