Treating the Elderly

Fighting and treating colon cancer, any cancer really, is expensive. For us, like everyone else, there was a financial toll. My Dad had amazing insurance. But it didn't mean, that we were worry free. Medications, treatments, doctors' appointments, tests, and hospitalizations...they add up quickly! But when you are trying to save someone's life, those costs don't matter. You'd probably walk to the end of the earth, and back. I know I would!

When I came across this article last week, it didn't surprise me. When we first began, the battle, our oncologist warned us. About the costs, the side effects, and my Dad's projected life expectancy. Actually, in so many words, he encouraged us to go home, and enjoy my Dad...and his life, while we still could.

You see, my Dad was 81 years old. In relatively poor health. And all these treatments, might give my Dad, an additional year. MIGHT! My Dad had been diagnosed with Stage 4 Colon Cancer. He also had severe anemia, due to the cancer. He had diabetes, and epilepsy. And the cancer had spread into his liver. There was only one doctor, that would even consider surgery on his liver. My Dad was high risk. And his lifelong battle, with epilepsy, didn't help.

In fact, for his surgery, to remove most of his intestines and to place his stoma...we hit a road block. No anesthesiologists, wanted to treat him. Our surgeon had to practically jump through hoops, that were on fire. To get someone, to join him in the operating room. Because my Dad had, had a serious of seizures. After a million tests and scans...and some medical history, the doctors felt like the cancer was contributing to the seizures. Because my Dad had previously been seizure free, for over 3 years. So he was cleared for surgery.

But my Dad wanted to live. And if the chemo and radiation, would give him an extra day, he'd try it too. He'd try anything. And everything. My Dad didn't have the "typical" symptoms and side effects. But you could tell, that all the treatments, were taking a toll. He struggled a lot. With energy. With pneumonia. And with seizures.

We'd end up on Palliative Care. To help keep a better eye, on my Dad's health. Our doctor would personally call up our insurance company, many times, to argue about care. He'd give my Dad the options. My Dad would ALWAYS choose, to do treatments. And our doctor, would fight to get the treatments approved.

There were also many "supportive medications," that my Dad took. To keep his quality of health, somewhat better. These medications, often times, had high costs attached to them. But my Dad was a fighter. And he was trying to live.

Looking back, I don't know if it was the best decision. But it was my Dad's decision. My Mom and I would listen to the doctors, and my Dad would make the decisions. We were his support system. I can't say, that if I were in his place, that I would have made those same decisions. But we were all educated on the issues. And supported my Dad's decisions.

From the time that we first met our oncologist, until my Dad's passing, it was around 9 months. At our initial appointment, we were told, without treatment, my Dad would have just about a year of life. With treatment, it could extend his life, by possibly 6 months to a year.

We were also told about side effects. And quality of life. And what it would take, to seek treatments. All of it, would be true. My Dad would spend much, of those 9 months, in the hospital. I can't tell you, that life would have been better, had he not received treatments. I don't know if he would have lived longer. Or if this was just God's plan, all along.

What I do know, is that Palliative Care, was our saving grace. That our doctors were very supportive, of my Dad's decisions. Even if they didn't always agree, with him. Our oncologist, really became the one person, that would fight anyone...for the treatment my Dad wanted.

With the elderly, like with all of us, they don't want to give up. They want to live. Any option that is available, they want to try. No matter the side effects. But there has to be a better way, to treat the elderly. There has to be a way, to give them a fighting chance. That not only extends their lives. But improves their quality of life. More than anything, you need to remember, it's their life. They have the right, to fight for it.

Our elderly, should be respected. And their wishes, should be honored. We shouldn't think any differently, because of their age. Medications, should be developed, to improve their lives. And the quality of their lives. We need to remember, they are a particularly weak part of our population. Susceptible to all sorts of things. And really, at the end of the day, they want to live as long as possible.

Big businesses, like insurance companies, hospitals, and pharmaceutical companies, don't think about these things. These are very important things. The things, that really determine a person's real quality of life. You are your loved ones biggest supporter. Their caregiver. And probably, the only person in their corner, really fighting for them. Think about it. Don't just think about costs. But also about their quality of life. What type of care is available. And how your loved one, will live out, their last few days. ❤❤❤

Our Gentle Doctor

My Dad received all of his care, from one hospital. Different locations. Many doctors. More nurses, than I can sit and talk about. But one hospital. It was the best decision, we could have ever made.

Not only did it make it easier for us. It kept all of my Dad's doctors, on the same page. Everyone had access, to everything, all the time. If we were in the hospital, our doctors were very easy, to get in touch with. All our care, came from the same place. Including, our Homecare.

Along the way, you meet different people. In the Presbyterian organization, they work so well, as a team. Working together, for the patient. Mapping out, how your care will look. Taking every person's opinion, into consideration. And it works really well.

In the Fall of 2014, my Dad was scheduled to potentially have his stoma reversed. Chemo, was making him a little too weak, for the doctors liking. So there was a break, that was taken, halfway through his scheduled 16 treatments.

During this time, he'd receive radiation. And we heard all sorts of horror stories. But my Dad was optimistic. As always. He was ready, to attack this beast, growing inside him. We had an appointment, with the radiation team. And that is where we'd meet Dr. Garg.

An amazingly kind soul. His staff was truly, some of the kindest, that I've ever met! They made us feel so comfortable. And if you've ever had to have radiation, you know the initial appointment, can be rather lengthy.

We went in. The nurses were so kind, and helpful. Explaining everything in great detail. Allowing me, to help as much as possible. They knew, my Dad was most comfortable, when I was with him. After I'd help them, to get him settled in, another nurse, would walk me back to a conference room. Where I could wait. In comfort. With something to drink, and snack on.

I'd meet Dr. Garg first. While my Dad was being "marked" for his treatments. He'd explain to me, what was going to happen. What our schedule would look like. What I could expect. What I should look for, in terms of side effects. And assured me, he'd be right by our sides, the entire time.

Then he'd meet with my Dad and I. And explain everything, in great detail. Making sure, my Dad understood, everything he was saying. Talking to him, and reassuring him. He sat right in front of my Dad, held his hands, and assured him it was going to be OK.

Radiation, was very beneficial to my Dad. He didn't have any side effects. Nothing that they'd warned us about. Or anything we'd heard, from other patients. Dr. Garg, kept his word. And would be by our sides, the entire time. I don't think, there was ever a treatment, where he didn't come and talk to me. To let me know, how things were going.

My Dad was rather weak. By Fall 2014, he'd been through so much. And to go to his doctors' appointments, we'd take his wheelchair. I'd help him, to undress, and put on his hospital gown, before every treatment. The nurses would bring my Dad coffee. And once they'd taken him back, for his treatment, they'd come make sure I was OK.

It really made the entire experience, a positive one. But Dr. Garg, would be the one, that would bring us comfort. He'd talk us through, our entire treatment schedule. He'd answer all of our questions. He'd give me updates. Without me, having to track him down. He would bring me, the information, I'd need to know.

At my Dad's last appointment, he'd have a seizure. The staff was amazing! Dr. Garg, was right there, by our sides. Assuring me, that my Dad was OK. Which I knew. He'd had seizures, all my life. But Dr. Garg, wouldn't leave our side. He'd want to call an ambulance. So we could transport my Dad, from the Radiation Center, to the main hospital. I'd assure him, it would be best, if I'd take my Dad. He would be very disoriented, from the seizure. And would need me, by his side, when he started to "wake up" from the fog.

Dr. Garg, and 2 of his nurses, helped me get my Dad into our van. They'd secure him. And they'd get my cell phone number. Sure enough, they'd call ahead to the hospital for me. And they'd check in, with me, multiple times that afternoon. I'd receive a call from Dr. Garg, that evening, making sure we were OK. He knew, what he was reading from the charts. But he wanted to make sure we were OK. That we were receiving the care, that we should.

It was amazing! Months later, in February 2015, Dr. Garg would be the oncologist working at the hospital. On the weekend of my Dad's birthday. He would do everything he could, to make sure my Dad was comfortable. That we had everything we needed. And after talking to him, about a Surprise Birthday party, I had planned...he assured me, my Dad would be able to attend.

Dr. Garg, was just one of those doctors, that made you feel comfortable. He explained every single detail, to you. And always asked, if we had questions. When he could, he'd make things easier for us. Trying to provide our family, with everything we needed. At the very moment, we needed it.

And the amount of care, respect, and tenderness...that he showed my Dad. It is the thing, I will never forget. We were very blessed, with our medical team. And it's doctors, like Dr. Garg, that made the experience a little easier. We knew, we had a team behind us. And that no matter what, they were fighting for my Dad. To extend his life. To provide comfort. And to make sure, we were all OK.

I'm very grateful to Dr. Garg. And the care he provided. Not just the medical care. But the personal care, he gave my Dad. Even on my Dad's roughest days, he was an amazing doctor. Knowing, that it was the pain, and not my Dad...that was taking over. Thank You Dr. Garg! From the bottom of my heart. My family, appreciates everything you did for my Dad! ❤❤❤