One for my brother

As some of you may know my baby brother (who happens to be taller and bigger than me) has been fighting terminal cancer since about May.

Since this time I have been carrying for his twins, boy and girl who just turned ten.

He is now on his third type of chemo and things don't look promising but he manages to keep a positive outlook and keeps hoping for the best.

This last round of chemo has sent him bald. So he's not going it alone I bought a few razors. This ones for you Timothy.

http://tapatalk.imageshack.com/v2/14...920c436b46.jpg

Never thought I would go bald before I was 95. Some thought I might have been under that hat I don't like to leave home without.

Looking after the twins is why I have been so scarce on here of late. They are both high needs and I have been hardly able to work or spend time in my cave since they have been with us.


Dave the turning cowboy

turning wood into art

If only the rest of humanity had a brother like you....Blessings

...and Yul Brynner.... eat your heart out.....

Thoughts are with you, Dave. A positive attitude is important.

Thanks guys.

Off to see him agains this morning before I return home. Realistically this may be one of the last times if this treatment does not kick in. He was told liver failure would likely occur within a couple of months if no progress.

On a positive he has not needed pain meds for a week so this could mean that chemo is finally working again and the tumour is shrinking.


Dave the turning cowboy

turning wood into art

Good one Dave, best wishes for a positive outcome for your bro.
We are going through the same thing at present with one of our woody mates and it is a tough road to go down.
All the best,
Ian

G'Day Dave, I don't have the words to express my heart felt for your support and love for your brother.... except well done, Dave. Peter

Good on ya Dave. It's your support that keeps his outlook positive. :2tsup:

Good family support is better than gold.

With your help and support the kids will have a great future, this will be of great comfort for your brother and a great weight off his mind.

Our thoughts and best wishes are with you all.

I like to thank you all for your support, well wishes & kind words. Sometimes as I read your various comments I feel like you make me into a better person than I really am or that I am doing more than I am (or at least than I feel I am)

Yesterday I saw my brother again. It was the day after his chemo treatment so he was a bit wiped out though he was trying to play Xbox when we arrived. His new wife just got the all clear on a biopsy she just had, so some good news there. Awaiting results since she has had the entire mass removed.

This is my brother towering above me. The pic does not quite show the break out he is having as side effect, that and hair the most obvious visual side effects.

http://tapatalk.imageshack.com/v2/14...7847e6e521.jpg

My little Tom in my arms, other children Tyler and Sammy and my wife Raechell.

Coming on here is like an entire other family ... thanks guys


Dave the turning cowboy

turning wood into art

All the best wishes Dave hope your Christmas is all you can wish it to be
hooroo Dennis

Another treasured family moment :2tsup:

Slightly off topic but does this mean you will have to change your profile picture and keep changing it as your brothers hair grows back?

Lol. Ray I reckon I could but my wife like her youthful look from a few years ago. Not sure if she is up for the update.

Thankyou Denis


Dave the turning cowboy

turning wood into art

almost every situation has potential for humour. Some may like this. Went for my daily shower and as usual called out to my wife for a forgotten item after I was in the water.

"BABE .... I'll need some shampoo." She promptly came in foraged thru the cabinet and put it down on the end of the bath when she burst out laughing realising she had just been had.


Dave the turning cowboy

turning wood into art

Quote "almost every situation has potential for humour......."
Reading the above posts reminded me of a old lady I know. She had a brother who was well into the grip of cancer and only had a few days to live. She and other siblings rostered them selves to be at his bedside 24 hours a day. He was very weak one evening and he was a bit restless. He couldn't talk either so she thought he may like a bit of water to drink. She had some sort of sponge on a stick for him to suck. After a couple of "sips" he seemed to have enough so she got a cloth to wipe his lips. As she was doing this he bit her finger and held it for a couple of seconds, all the while looking up into her face. She immediately sang out..."ow!!!". Even though the bloke could not speak or even communicate well he still had his "wicked" humour. She gave him a big hug to "chastise" him.
Dave my thoughts are with you at this time of the year. Its a rocky road you are all travelling so hang in there and just do what you do

Dave

Whatever the future holds, your brother is in the best hands.

All the best for 2015.

Regards
Paul

Dave, had a best mate go through this. It's a bastard, sometimes you laugh most of the time you cry. Ups and downs, all the time living with uncertainty, feeling helpless and occasionally wanting to blame. Everybody's life is impacted. Sure at times he was going to leave us, more setbacks followed by signs of improvement. Down we all go again. Waiting, praying. Most of our time together,before his cancer, was on the golf course. We both loved it.

After two years and three months, on a warm sunny afternoon, my mate with two other golfing buddies and myself played golf together again. Whilst he was still greatly depleted and had to ride in a cart, out of breath and sore all over after each shot, we laughed and joked our way around. We were all back together again. He still has a hard road to slog to recover his strength, but he is on the road, he beat the bastard.

Don't give up. Your little brother, you and your family are not alone in this fight, we will support you. Kel.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Thanks chambezio (name eludea me but sure we met at Brets), Paul & Kel

Saw my brother again yesterday he has this fine white stuff frowing on his head and his face while covered in 'acne' is looking better. He reports that he has had little pain till the last couple of days. He puts that down to the tumor shrinking. Another round of chemo today and tests on Monday. Wednesday he should get some kind of results

Not sure when I will get up there again.

Dave TTC
Turning Wood Into Art

Timothy had his latest test today, now a two day wait to see how this new round of chemo has faired for him


Dave the turning cowboy

turning wood into art

All the best Dave

Dave, I hope these latest tests bring good news Mate.

Results came in today. Not promising. He's off to the quack again Friday to look at the alternatives.

Most likely scenario radio active beads injected into the liver and while awaiting that go back to an earlier version of chemo that stopped working. There is new trial that starts this year sometime if he can make it that long.


Dave the turning cowboy

turning wood into art

I know the feeling of helplessness but keep strong and just keep providing the support your brother needs.

You have friends here.

I agree with Bob38S, we all will be praying for a full recovery

Sad news ... I believe the count down has begun. More as I find out.

Dave TTC
Turning Wood Into Art

Well they are letting him go home from hospital tonight as his liver function has slightly improved. Yesterday he was told his liver is starting to fail and now he is on hemp oil. Not sure what this is meant to do but all other treatment has stopped other than pain medication.



Dave TTC
Turning Wood Into Art

Our continued prays for you and the family Dave.....

Thoughts are with you at this time

Our thoughts and prayers for you and all the family / families

Thinking of you and your lil bro

and I think the haircut suits you!

Keep it together and keep going.

Thinking of you all at this time.

Dave

I hate to hear this news. Unfortunately precious few of us are equipped to deal with death despite the inevitability and certainty that it will happen one day. I guess that untimely death is the issue and despite some experience of my own I am still hopelessly inept in this department. All I can say is that Timothy is fortunate in having such a caring brother in Dave, who has already looked after his children and I expect will still have significant input.

My thoughts are with you Dave.

Regards
Paul

Thoughts are with you mate :C

These are the hard yards. Stay strong.

They let him go home Friday but he went back to hospital overnight.

At this stage I will be taking the family to Sydney next weekend. I am fearing it may be the last time though he keeps trying to be optimistic about thing.

I thank you all for your thoughts and comments. I come back and read your words often.

Dave TTC
Turning Wood Into Art

Thoughts are with you.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

Reading this, reminds me of my younger brother, he lived on the other side of the bottom of the leg to where where Fenderbelly is.
Early May 2013, he wasn't feeling all that well, and said that he'd go to the Drs, but always something came up. Eventually he gets there, and the Doctor said that he has to go to Adelaide to the hospital for tests, ending up with a biopsy, that was on the 11/7. A few days later, a Tuesday, he was told he had Liver Cancer, and nothing could be done for him, he went home on the Thursday Morning and passed away in the early hours the next morning,it was that sudden. I was lucky in a way that while he was in Adelaide, I was able to see him and say not goodbye, but see you later.
So enjoy whatever time you have together, and hope he recovers soon.
Kryn

Just spoke to my brothers wife. His pain is such that he is unlikely to come back home. She does not want to break the news to his daughter till I get therr on the weekend.

His wife broke down and cried. Its hard when dealing with your own pain but you still try to help others.

Timothy's dying wish is to he baptised. No demoniation. The hospital does not even have a bathtub. Will see what I can do for him when I am there.

Dave TTC
Turning Wood Into Art

Quote:

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Originally Posted by DaveTTC

Timothy's dying wish is to he baptised. No demoniation. The hospital does not even have a bathtub. Will see what I can do for him when I am there.

Dave TTC
Turning Wood Into Art

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Dave, Put a call through to the hospital chaplain to ask about the baptism... Cheers, Peter

Dave, I trust that the hospital has a good palliative care ward to keep his pain level under control.

It is a difficult time so take care of yourself as his family obviously needs your support.

Dave, I feel your pain. I know this road, well.

My only advice is to do the best you can for your brother while you can and help the family. Keep tight.