My godfather is 73. He used to smoke up until the age of about 45-50 from memory. He'd had a bit of a cough for a few years now but the GP had never really taken much notice of it. CT scans have now revealed a carcinoma in his lungs. My father was telling me they've ruled out surgery as an option and are looking to do chemo and radiotherapy. Apparently the prognosis is not good and the treatment may be more of a prolonging measure rather than a cure.
My godfather is a great person. Always been quite a frail looking type but a funny guy and someone we've loved having around. He helped make our XMAS's such wonderful occasions over the years. Never married, never had kids. Lost his mum to old age not that long ago and both his sisters recently passed away from cancer. THough he has nieces and perhaps nephews we've pretty much been his family over the years.
I'm sort of lost for words as to what do you say to a person in this situation. "How are you doing?" seems like a stupid thing to say (assuming it is a futile situation). I'd like him to know how much positive influence he's had on our family over the years but then I'm wondering how it makes them feel to hear someone basically saying "You're dying, I love you". I'd like to know if there's things he hasn't done in his life that he would have liked to, to see if we can help. But it's almost like you need to wait until they've first come to terms with it before you openly acknowledge it.
I'm keen to learn how others have dealt with such circumstances.
Thanks
Mike
My godfather is a great person. Always been quite a frail looking type but a funny guy and someone we've loved having around. He helped make our XMAS's such wonderful occasions over the years. Never married, never had kids. Lost his mum to old age not that long ago and both his sisters recently passed away from cancer. THough he has nieces and perhaps nephews we've pretty much been his family over the years.
I'm sort of lost for words as to what do you say to a person in this situation. "How are you doing?" seems like a stupid thing to say (assuming it is a futile situation). I'd like him to know how much positive influence he's had on our family over the years but then I'm wondering how it makes them feel to hear someone basically saying "You're dying, I love you". I'd like to know if there's things he hasn't done in his life that he would have liked to, to see if we can help. But it's almost like you need to wait until they've first come to terms with it before you openly acknowledge it.
I'm keen to learn how others have dealt with such circumstances.
Thanks
Mike