My Dad Is Having a Brain Scan Next Week

[Ed209]

My dad's eyesight and hearing has deteriorated so badly in the last year that the Drs want to do a brain scan to rule out anything sinister. The MRI will take 50 minutes.

He is still as upbeat as ever which I find quite remarkable, but it really does illustrate the vast differences in our reactions, and how we cope with adversity. He never complains about his tinnitus which is now catastrophically loud as he can barely hear anything to mask it. Buzzing and screeching is mostly what he hears nowadays. On top of this he is now pretty much blind in one eye and the other one is not great either, but it's good enough for his brain to compensate. He also has heart failure and recurring bladder cancer that has to be monitored every few months. The damage to his ears comes from a life working in loud factories and on the railways. I would be in pieces by now and you'd have to scrape me off the floor.

We watch the football together when our team plays and he hasn't changed one bit. I cannot understand how all of this hasn't crushed his spirit and made him a nervous wreck.

Anyway, hopefully next week will bring some good news and I've told him to look into cochlear implants.

 

[Manny]

My dad's eyesight and hearing has deteriorated so badly in the last year that the Drs want to do a brain scan to rule out anything sinister. The MRI will take 50 minutes.

He is still as upbeat as ever which I find quite remarkable, but it really does illustrate the vast differences in our reactions, and how we cope with adversity. He never complains about his tinnitus which is now catastrophically loud as he can barely hear anything to mask it. Buzzing and screeching is mostly what he hears nowadays. On top of this he is now pretty much blind in one eye and the other one is not great either, but it's good enough for his brain to compensate. He also has heart failure and recurring bladder cancer that has to be monitored every few months. The damage to his ears comes from a life working in loud factories and on the railways. I would be in pieces by now and you'd have to scrape me off the floor.

We watch the football together when our team plays and he hasn't changed one bit. I cannot understand how all of this hasn't crushed his spirit and made him a nervous wreck.

Anyway, hopefully next week will bring some good news and I've told him to look into cochlear implants.

Ed I'm sorry to hear about this super difficult physical situation your dad is in. At the same time, as you say I really do think it is amazing how some people really deal much better with such tremendous physical challenges, while some people (like me!) have the most difficult time.
I think that eventually science will discover a major biological basis for this dichotomy/spectrum. This is just my opinion of course. And of course personal history and circumstance come into play a LOT as well.
Anyways all the best.

 

[Jazzer]

My dad's eyesight and hearing has deteriorated so badly in the last year that the Drs want to do a brain scan to rule out anything sinister. The MRI will take 50 minutes.

He is still as upbeat as ever which I find quite remarkable, but it really does illustrate the vast differences in our reactions, and how we cope with adversity. He never complains about his tinnitus which is now catastrophically loud as he can barely hear anything to mask it. Buzzing and screeching is mostly what he hears nowadays. On top of this he is now pretty much blind in one eye and the other one is not great either, but it's good enough for his brain to compensate. He also has heart failure and recurring bladder cancer that has to be monitored every few months. The damage to his ears comes from a life working in loud factories and on the railways. I would be in pieces by now and you'd have to scrape me off the floor.

We watch the football together when our team plays and he hasn't changed one bit. I cannot understand how all of this hasn't crushed his spirit and made him a nervous wreck.

Anyway, hopefully next week will bring some good news and I've told him to look into cochlear implants.

Poor guy.
What a horrible combination to have to deal with.
And yet you say he copes well, and never complains. Absolutely amazing.

Best wishes to dad, Ed.
Dave x

 

[glynis]

@Ed209,
Your dad sounds amazing like mine was and I know with you by his side he will be ok.
Thank you for all your support at this difficult time in my life .
love glynis xxx

 

[Ed209]

Ed I'm sorry to hear about this super difficult physical situation your dad is in. At the same time, as you say I really do think it is amazing how some people really deal much better with such tremendous physical challenges, while some people (like me!) have the most difficult time.
I think that eventually science will discover a major biological basis for this dichotomy/spectrum. This is just my opinion of course. And of course personal history and circumstance come into play a LOT as well.
Anyways all the best.

It's just the way he is and in no way demeans the suffering of others. I certainly couldn't cope with all the problems he has, but he does, and that's how we are all wired up differently. It's an enigma.

I just wish we could wave a wand and make everyone happy. If only it were that simple.

 

[Ed209]

Poor guy.
What a horrible combination to have to deal with.
And yet you say he copes well, and never complains. Absolutely amazing.

Best wishes to dad, Ed.
Dave x

Absolutely Dave. I've never heard him complain in my life. I would have lost the plot completely with all that on my mind.

 

[Ed209]

@Ed209,
Your dad sounds amazing like mine was and I know with you by his side he will be ok.
Thank you for all your support at this difficult time in my life .
love glynis xxx

You're a star, Glynis, and I wish I could do more to help. I'm so sorry you have to go through so much; if anyone deserves a break it's you.

Look after yourself

 

[Jazzer]

Absolutely Dave. I've never heard him complain in my life. I would have lost the plot completely with all that on my mind.

And I think of the times when I have come close........x

 

[Starthrower]

Absolutely Dave. I've never heard him complain in my life. I would have lost the plot completely with all that on my mind.

Your Dad is an amazing man and father @Ed209. Part of him probably - wants to look strong for you.

Hope the MRI goes smoothly for him.

 

[Nanny chocolate]

It seems so unfair that some people always get the dirty end of the stick!!
Yesterday I met a man aged 82 and proud of it. Told me he takes no meds and watches his weight. His wife has Parkinson's! Why some and not others.

Tinnitus is up there with the dastardly conditions in my view.
Very brave dad you have Ed xx

@Ed209

 

[Jack Straw]

My dad's eyesight and hearing has deteriorated so badly in the last year that the Drs want to do a brain scan to rule out anything sinister. The MRI will take 50 minutes.

He is still as upbeat as ever which I find quite remarkable, but it really does illustrate the vast differences in our reactions, and how we cope with adversity. He never complains about his tinnitus which is now catastrophically loud as he can barely hear anything to mask it. Buzzing and screeching is mostly what he hears nowadays. On top of this he is now pretty much blind in one eye and the other one is not great either, but it's good enough for his brain to compensate. He also has heart failure and recurring bladder cancer that has to be monitored every few months. The damage to his ears comes from a life working in loud factories and on the railways. I would be in pieces by now and you'd have to scrape me off the floor.

We watch the football together when our team plays and he hasn't changed one bit. I cannot understand how all of this hasn't crushed his spirit and made him a nervous wreck.

Anyway, hopefully next week will bring some good news and I've told him to look into cochlear implants.

Hey Ed,

I'm sorry to hear about your fathers condition. It is truely remarkable that he stays so upbeat even though he has so many things to deal with. It really does go to show you that how we cope with things can definetly affect our mood. What is his secret?

I hope things start to get better for him soon!

Do you think that any of the chemo therapy drugs had any effect on his tinnitus or hearing?

 

[emmalee]

We watch the football together when our team plays and he hasn't changed one bit. I cannot understand how all of this hasn't crushed his spirit and made him a nervous wreck.

Anyway, hopefully next week will bring some good news and I've told him to look into cochlear implants.

Ed, you are fortunate to have such a wonderful relationship with your dad. His spirit is strong, this goes without saying. I hope, with all of my heart, that the news will be positive.

 

[TuxedoCat]

@Ed209
Sorry I didn't see this 'til now.
Hope your dad got thru the MRI OK. He sounds like a truly special dad and grand-dad.
You're a good man for looking after him and enjoying each others company.
The simple gift of time can mean so much.
TC