Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Well I decided to take this time to write to some of my compadres on this site to let you all know how things are going. To make quick and simple, things arent going to good. As some of you may remember, my Dad has been fighting cancer and lung disease for a better part of 2 years now. Nothing could really be done about the lung disease due to the cancer. So the doctors told him "get chemo done and if the cancer disappears we will put you in for a lung transplant". The lung disease he has is called "interstitial lung disease" which basically the hardening of the lungs. Kind of like filling your lungs up with quickcrete. Anyway, he did the chemo and got rid of the cancer. What did the doctors tell him after? "Well we can put you in for the transplant but more than likely you will be passed over on the list due to your age". He is 69 now. So he is breathing out of one lung now and only getting about 2/3's use out of it. Oh yeah and he has congestive heart failure as well. So his heart is having to beat very hard and very fast to be able to get blood throughout his body. So anywho, he had gotten rid of the cancer and started feeling worse a few weeks ago. Went back to get a few tests done and found a 2"x2" mass of cancer (mal). So he decided to go back to get more chemo done. He never made it. No, he didnt die. He just never got to do it. The doctors said that he was too weak to do anymore chemo and the only thing we can do is make his final days comfortable. So right now Im over at my parents' house with the family as my Dad is on his deathbed (or in this case, recliner). We arent expecting him to make it through the weekend. He is on morphine to relax him and just breathing is a huge effort for him. My Mother died when I was 3 so Ive always known this time would come. Ive tried to get myself prepared for it but I tell you after 32 years of prepping myself I can honestly say that I am not the least bit prepared. This wasnt supposed to happen for another 20 years. Things have a way of going to you know what though. So to all of my friends here and even newbies and general acquaintances value the time that you have with your friends and families. You never know what tomorrow will bring and what it will take away.
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1.1.0 Colombian Redtail Boas (normals)
2.1.0 Sumatran Blood Pythons (normals)
1.0 Dumeril's Boa (normal)
0.1 Coastal Carpet Python (normal)
0.1 Jungle Carpet Python (normal)
1.1 Surinam Redtail Boa (normal)
1.1 Short Tailed Python (Black Blood) (awaiting delivery)
0.1 Roommate (sigh...okay, she has a corn snake)

and I'll keep you and yours in my thoughts, since I'm not the praying type...

losing family members is always hard, but parents even more so...

Im really sorry to her about your father. I cant imagine what its going to be like when my parents go, and I honestly rather wouldnt like to think about it. Thank you for shareing with us.
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- Mike Fourquet

Cloaca Herpetoculture
www.CloacaHerps.com

"You never know what tomorrow will bring and what it will take away."
That is a great phrase.
Sorry to hear all the troubles your father is having. But just remember the good times and you will feel better.
The best wishes for you and your family.
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Joel Pretz
JP Reptiles

I am so sorry about that. I'm not old enought that I have to worry about my parents yet, but my grandfather had a very similar situation. He had asbestosis and 2 heart attacks within a week due to heart disease. I feel for you. good luck.
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Vince Martino

1.0 Amel Cornsnake "Sunny"
1.1 Snow Cornsnake "Gary Busey" and "Slopes"
0.1 Okeetee Corn (2nd generation off the hunt club)
1.0 Spider Ball Python "Ceasar"
1.1 Colombian Red-tailed Boa "Big Jim" and "Sammy"
1.1 Albino Striped California Kings "mean" and "meaner"
1.0 Pastel Bearded Dragon "Norbert"
0.1 Anery Nicaraguan Boa "Smokey"

"I'm not old enought that I have to worry about my parents yet"
Unfortunately, cancer does not care how old you are. Just walk into a childrens hospital any day of the week. Pythonis, my prayers are with you and your family.

is what i said wrong?
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Vince Martino

1.0 Amel Cornsnake "Sunny"
1.1 Snow Cornsnake "Gary Busey" and "Slopes"
0.1 Okeetee Corn (2nd generation off the hunt club)
1.0 Spider Ball Python "Ceasar"
1.1 Colombian Red-tailed Boa "Big Jim" and "Sammy"
1.1 Albino Striped California Kings "mean" and "meaner"
1.0 Pastel Bearded Dragon "Norbert"
0.1 Anery Nicaraguan Boa "Smokey"

I am so sorry for the pain that you and your family are going through.

I lost my dad a few years ago and it was by far the hardest time in my life. He was my best friend and the best man at my wedding.

Stay close to your family, you need each other more than ever now.

I will pray that you some how find peace through the pain and suffering that you are enduring.

Thanks for sharing this very tough time with all of us. Our hearts are touched by your loss.

Brian Gundy
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Brian Gundy

www.for-goodness-snakes.com

Sorry man. Don't know what else to say and there probably isn't anything to help other than my family's thoughts and prayers are with yours this weekend. I lost my mom to a really nasty strain of leukemia when I was 23 (I'm 38 now). Like you said, value the time you have (and have had) and be thankful to whomever you pray to that you're able to spend these last days with him and say goodbye. The only other thing I can offer is that even after he's gone, the sun will come up, the birds will sing and life can still be beautiful if you take the time to notice the beautiful things all around you.

Billy