Dad in Hospital
On Sun the 13th July 08, we took dad to hospital.
His peripheral eyesight wasn’t very good, so he saw an eye Dr a few weeks prior. They Eye specialist determined that it wasn’t his eyes, and that perhaps he had a stroke. So, we contacted Dad’s GP. Unfortunately the GP didn’t seem to be competent, and only booked a cat scan in a few weeks.
I saw dad on the Sat (12th July), and after it was mentioned he might have had a stroke, thought I could see signs of a stroke in dad’s face and speech. It was only subtle, there is no way mum or my brother could have known or seen it. Since they thought the GP was on top of it we ignored it, and just figured the GP and the Cat scan would determine the facts.
When I saw dad on the 13th, I suggested to mum that they take dad to hospital ASAP. Fortunately Graham and Mum took Dad to St Vincents hospital that day.
Anyway, the tests at St Vincents determined that dad had infact a Malignant Cancer in his brain. He had brain cancer and it was quite “Fact acting”. Dad would only have had 3 months to act.
Dad was operated on Thursday the 24th July at St Vincents Private Hospital. He is doing well.
The cancer was pretty large, the size of a fist. Dad has lost a bit of his speech, as well his left hand side is effected. Still, better that than him dying.
He is slowly recovering. We hope his speech and movement largely recovers. Likewise, we hope the Surgeon managed to remove most of the cancer from Dad’s brain.
Dad will probably be in hospital for a good few weeks. He will also need physio therapy for approx 6 weeks to try to help his speech and mobility.
It is likely that dad will never quite be the same, however, it us, it is incredible how such a large portion of the human brain can be removed, and still cope.
I decided to post this to keep the family up to date, as well as to give those who have loved ones who are about to go through the same as what my dad just has.
Important things to get from this post are…
If you notice a change to someone you love’s Face, Arms, Speech, then act FAST. To help diagnose, remember the word F.A.S.T.
Face
Arms
Speech
Time - act fast – Get the person to Emrgency at a hospital ASAP.
Don’t wait on GP’s, it is critical to get the person checked out via a Cat Scan ASAP. It could be a stroke, or Cancer. Either can be critical.
Even if it is cancer, the person has a good chance these days. ofcourse it isn’t great news, and complications can result. However, i think it is important for all involved to stay positive.
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