She is 86 has pulmanary fibrosis and now lung cancer. She had a TIA a month ago. I have no idea what kind of treatment they would reccomend or if it is even an option. She is afraid to die and have no idea how to handle this. I brought her to stay with me. which is in a differant state, after Christmas with the intentions of her being able to go back home. That was befor everything feel apart. I know she would rather be at her home and closer to her friends. There is no one to care for her there unless she went to a nursing home. I try to give her everything she needs or wants and don't mind, although it wears me out. I don't think she realizes how good she has it. Just need a little advice on how to deal with it.
Regarding the fear of death she has attended regularly the same Lutheran church she was raised in and also raised me in (I am now nondenominational) Although, I really don’t know what her personal relationship with God is. My husband and I go to church and have always asked her to go with us. I think she doesn’t want to go outside the comfort zone of her own church. My husband and I have already discussed attending a Lutheran church to help her feel more comfortable. It has bothered me that the pastors of her church have not followed up on her since she has been gone. Especially since she has been there for 86yrs!! I have called them and they know she is not well. The pastor did come to her house a couple of times when she was there but you would think they’ve noticed her absence. I have her phone forwarded to my house so I know they haven’t tried to call her.
Thank all of you who are sharing your stories and experiences!!! It is amazing how much it helps to hear what others are going through!!!!
Since she is living with you, should she opt for treatment, if it is an option, my guess is it would be recommended that she stay with you while undergoing any chemo. It is going to be a process of taking in lots of information, digesting it and making decisions.
If she does chemo, maybe it would be nice to go with her to her home for a couple of days of R&R and let her reconnect with home and friends before treatments begin.
My heart goes out to you. Please keep us posted.