My father is 80 years old! Up until four weeks ago he walked 10Km a day, 5Km in the morning and 5Km in the afternoon. He was working from 3am to 10am every day except Sunday because as he was saying; work keeps you young! He could go about his daily routine without any problem and most importantly without help from anyone. Four weeks ago he was diagnosed with malignant metastatic cancer which started in his stomach with metastasis to his liver, lungs and possibly brain. In four weeks he lost 2/3's of his weight, he can no longer walk, go to the bathroom, take shower, eat, or do anything which four weeks ago he was taking for granted, without help. The worst is that my father is a person who cared about his personal health and two years ago when he had a short stay in the hospital for what it was described to us as a small stomach problem he already had the disease. These clueless doctors where incompetent at best if not reckless!
My father's life was colorful. He had some good times and some bad times. The worst was in 1974 when Turkey invaded Cyprus and my family became refugees with no home, no food, no work! My parents overcame the difficulties brought to them because of the invation and we had a good life. My parents, my sister and I had a loving relationship and we still do. We had some difficulties but our love for each other helped us overcome. My father was a good friend. I could tell him anything and he will always understand. He never offered his opinion with open arms, he was mostly a listener. Some times he was choosing the "glass half empty" road but he was rarely judgmental. People loved him! He was always polite and he was crazy about cleanliness! Sometimes he was heavy handed with my mom but that's who he was.
He is in the hospital now and we all try to make him as comfortable as possible. Each one of us in our own unique way. My mother is always sad and she just goes through the motions, my sister is serious and strong willed but sometimes she gets a little emotional, and I tease him a lot. I try to tell him stories while I take him to the bathroom, or when I clean him, or when I give him food. Sometimes he smiles and sometimes he gets upset. I just want him to be comfortable.
I know that soon I will loose my Dad but such is life. There is a beginning, a middle, and an end. I hope his life story makes him happy. I enjoyed all the moments with him, good and bad! He is in my heard and when he takes his final journey he will always remain in my heard. My Dad was above all a good human being. That's my Dad and I will always love him.
