My mum had a mastectomy last year and has gotten the all clear for breast cancer.  But now she needs a double hip replacement as she can hardly walk and the hospital has put her as low priority and will have to wait (in daily pain) for at least 6 months.  Then yesterday we find out that my dad has got prostate cancer.   He has to wait to see a radiotherapist to see whether it is worth doing radiotherapy.  Apparently, according to the specialist, the criteria is if you are under 70 then you have the option of surgery, radiotherapy or let the cancer run its course. If you are between 70 and 79 the radiotherapist decides whether it is worth treating or letting the cancer run its course.  If you are over 80 then your only option is too let the cancer run.  My dad is 72.

 

I feel so friggen helpless since I am up in Wellington and Mum and Dad are in ChCh. I know that currently there isn't anything I can do to help.  I have told Patrick that I want our whole family to go down to ChCh sometime this year (depending on Dad's progress) to see the family.  It just comes as a shock to realise that your parents are actually getting older.  Patrick is being really supportive and says if necessary I can go down if things get tough and help and support my parents for as long as I am needed in ChCh.