My family has always celebrated Christmas on Christmas Eve. Every year our family to join us for a heartwarming celebration of winter and the family. The children play while the adults sat around the table to catch up.
But Christmas in 1992 was different. Our family has been dealt a devastating blow when my father was diagnosed with stage IV mesothelioma. He had to start chemotherapy and radiotherapy regime in late December.
For our family, the holidays were an afterthought this year. The anticipation of meeting and open gifts was absent from our hearts. Thanksgiving was awkward and we didn ?? Does not even want to think about Christmas.
The news was the hardest of my father. The doctors had told him he wouldn ?? t live to see the New Year. He was so devastated that he wasn ?? t enjoy life more. He was too worried to die to enjoy life.
We did not know then, but that Christmas was a turning point in his battle.
The Turning Point
One afternoon in early December, I entered the house after returning from school, but something seemed strange. My parents drank coffee in the dining room and they were smiling. At this point, I was not ?? t used to seeing one of them smile a lot. Our happiness was overshadowed by worry.
I sat my books on the table and looked at my parents with curiosity. ??What is happening??? I asked. My mother looked at me and said: ?? We ?? re make Christmas! ??
I gave another look puzzled, and they sat down. My father told me that while he was sick, he wanted to have a great Christmas. He said it could be his last ?? and he wanted to do the best.
Enjoy the holidays while managing a disease
The management of a serious illness like mesothelioma is not an easy task, and the added stress of holiday can make this period a year even more difficult.
say that the treatment is physically and emotionally taxing does not begin to capture the truly grueling nature of chemotherapy and radiotherapy.
expert in health care, said Dr. Brian Slingsby holiday events may be too exhausting for people fighting serious illnesses, but there may be significant advantages. In 07, Slingsby and Tokyo University colleagues conducted a study to see how palliative care patients answered a program that celebrated seasonal events.
The researchers found 72 percent of hospice patients responded positively to the monthly seasonal celebrations. The survey results showed patients appreciated being able to get a feeling for the seasons and also enjoyed the interaction with the staff and volunteers. Some complained the events were too long, too tiring and makes them feel sad.
Slingsby highlights the importance of parties in meeting the spiritual and social needs of a patient ?? but said physical needs must remain the top priority. He even found patients faced a popular festivals terminal illness, as the events weren ?? t too long and physically taxing. He considered the celebrations as a form of relaxation therapy.
A Beautiful Last Christmas
This year our Christmas tree had never looked more beautiful.
My mother bought a gift for each child who attended, and even backup gifts prepackaged for any child she might have missed. She spent weeks making house candy, peanut butter and other Christmas candy known to man.
My relatives hadn ?? t ?? Forgot deck the halls ?? no more. Mom had strung tinsel and garland around our family room. Mistletoe hung in each door. The fire crackles beckoned people to come and discuss for a while.
On this Christmas Eve, 113 people visited our home. Family throughout Kentucky and Ohio came to our party. My father's old friends ?? hadn t seen in years stopped by. The place was packed with people my cousin Tabitha and I hid in my room to escape the beautiful madness.
I do not remember a single gift I unwrapped this year. The only thing I remember is the smile on my face ?? s father. He was so happy to see everyone that night
Papa was right. that was the best Christmas we have ever had.
Change in the holiday event
Some people with mesothelioma may not feel to celebrate the holidays as they did before. If you or your loved one feels the same way, it might be useful to change the celebration to meet your new needs ?? s family.
Some changes to the normal routine may be necessary, but you can still enjoy the holidays with the people you love most.
- Instead of hosting a large-scale dinner, welcome coffee and desserts. This allows your family to spend time together and celebrate long without a meal, coffee and gift exchange party you or your loved one can not feel.
- You can plan a party at a nearby restaurant. Family meetings can create a lot of work. Leave a chef to cook so you can enjoy dinner and family without all the hassle and cleaning.
- Remember, it is okay to tell your family if you or your loved isn ?? t feel all the excitement of the holidays. family members are understanding and can help meet your needs. We all want to spend time together for the holidays, but the health and well-being must remain the priority.
My father celebrated its last Christmas at the beginning of his battle with mesothelioma. He still felt stronger physically, but his mental state had suffered a devastating blow. He always enjoyed spending time with family, especially during the holidays.
The decision to have a Christmas party served notice to his mesothelioma. It wasn ?? t go out without a fight, and boy, he would enjoy Christmas.
