Unity Farm Journal - First Week of November 2014

When you’re a farmer, you’re often faced with the life, death, and sickness of those living things who depend on you.Recently, my father in law was diagnosed with a Stage IV Neuroendocrine Tumor on the head of the pancreas.  Ironically, it’s the same disease that Steve Jobs experienced.   Chemotherapy began this week and we’re hopeful that shrinking the tumor will relieve some of his symptoms.   Cure is unlikely and many difficult decisions await us.With Stage IV cancer, surgery is not an option.If we do nothing, the highly aggressive tumor will cause rapid decline - weight loss, weakness, and susceptibility to falls/infections. If we proceed with full cycles of chemotherapy, there may be reduction in tumor burden improving life quality or there may be side effects that make the situation worse.We’ll work hard to respect all of his wishes on the journey ahead.  Chemotherapy and medications are meant to be palliative.   If complications occur, it’s likely that he will want minimal intervention.He lives at the farm and needs to climb a few stairs, which is increasingly difficult,   We’ll need to think about mobility solutions, home care assistance, and possible relocation of his living spaces to the first floor.  We’re heading into cold and icy weather, so likely we’ll have to build a wheelchair ramp in and out of the house.Having experienced the death of my father in March of 2013, the end of life process is still fresh in m...
Source: Life as a Healthcare CIO - Category: Technology Consultants Source Type: blogs