Need your honest opinion

Thank you to all my dear HW brothers and sisters for your continued support and heartfelt replies. I will take a day or two to collect my thoughts and then I will begin a thread titled "end of life journey" Thank you for sharing this with us and for supporting us as we go. And yes, Andrew, writing has always been therapeutic for me!
Beth

Beth,

you said Gary does not want any further treatment. However, I want to mention a treatment which may delay the disease for several months:

Ac-225-PSMA-617 apparently extends survival of very late-stage patients: an update
Iodine-131-MIP-1095, a new radiopharmaceutical, in clinical trials at MSKCC

George

Hi Beth and Gary-

please do post- it will help me for sure and I hope it helps you. I think that writing about these experiences always helps one to place the more difficult feelings in a broader context, pulling away from the immediate internal responses to fear and pain that can dominate at times. Thank you so much for being such a positive force on the board.

rf

Beth –

Of course how you wish to proceed here is entirely up to you, as many have suggested. And of course do what you are comfortable with, and what you think may be helpful to others

Out of curiosity I did some research and found the site linked below, which lists some examples of how some others have approached and accomplished the kind of reporting that you are proposing to do.

I include it as something that you might like to look at, which might give you some additional ideas as to how to proceed, as you consider doing this.

In any case, many here, including me, think it would be a very worthwhile activity and contribution, if you decide to pursue it.

Best wishes for you and Gary.

www.nationalchurchresidences.org/communities/oh/cuyahoga-falls/national-church-residences-bath-road/9-hospice-blogs-you-should-be-reading

Dear Beth, You are so kind and generous with your time to everyone on this forum, that the very least any of us can do, is try to return the favour in some small way. You were one of the very first voices to welcome us when we joined and were so 'at sea' - it meant the world to us (and still does).

Whatever you want to write will be read by most of us, I feel sure. And as others have so rightly pointed out - if people don't want to hear about this part of your journey - nobody is forcing them to.

In the very worst of times, writing can be cathartic and bring about some inner peace. My hope is that this may also be the case for you, going forward. There are a million and one famous quotes about why it is important to write, but the following three (I think) really sum it up well.

“Tears are words that need to be written.” - Paulo Coelho.
"I can shake off everything as I write; my sorrows disappear, my courage is reborn." - Anne Frank; and
"You don't write because you want to say something. You write because you have something to say." - F.Scott Fitzgerald.

Beth - you really have something to say. And we are all listening.

Sending cyber hugs to you and Gary from across the miles.

Jaybee

Dear Beth,
I am sorry that you find yourself here. You and Gary have fought the good fight. I guess it's time to unlace the gloves and set them down. I have recently experienced the passing of my mother. She went into the hospital and never came back. I was with her almost daily (I live in another town) I have a picture captured in my mind but I never journalized it and never took pictures with her and I regret that. I think it is a wonderful idea and more than that, if Gary has the strength, to ask him to prepare a video message to those he loves. I have thought about this myself but don't have the courage to do it because I fear that I could not get through any message without breaking down. Just an idea for you, maybe it was already addressed in part of this thread. Much love and care for both of you, and may the eternal light find Gary and show him the way.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1nqH5AHTXR8
In memory of a great man who fought harder than most would dream. If you want to know what end stage is be prepared and watch the video.
RIP cericwin!!!

Beth,

I am so sorry that you and Gary have reached this point on your journey together. My heart goes out to you both.

If writing about your experience helps in any way to lighten your burden, then you should do it. I have not been on this board for very long, but you took the time to reach out with words of encouragement and I am so very grateful for that. I don't know you at all except from your reply to my post, but it is clear that you are a person of great strength and compassion. If you can receive support from sharing then please do, as long as you are able.

Peace and strength for you both.

-Adrienne