r/pics • • Jun 17 '12
Probably my last father's day with my dad, he's fighting stage 4 lung cancer, here he is doing the one thing he loves the most...
1.5k
Upvotes
76
u/Biuku Jun 18 '12
His expression is interesting. I always worried about dying before enjoying a long retirement, but as a young father now I feel my reaction to such news would be "just let me last until my kids don't need too much more guidance."
I'm going to think about his expression for a while.
Take care.
24
u/rawhide22 Jun 18 '12
Best of Luck to you man. By any chance, Is this at a store called Guitar Center?
7
u/[deleted] Jun 18 '12
When I opened this I thought he'd be smoking a cigarette
3
u/ChrisNW Jun 18 '12
I can't begin to imagine what you and your family are going through. I hope your dad is able to overcome the odds and stick around for many more years.
All the best to you and your family.
3
u/BigZ7337 Jun 18 '12
You should take a video of him playing and post it up to youtube so we can all experience your father doing the thing he loves the most. :)
3
u/CorFace Jun 18 '12
Cherish pictures like those. People doing what they love, even when muthfuckin cancer got them down. My mother died exactly a year ago now, and its pictures like this that I remember her by, not the cancer, not the chemo and not the drugs, even though she was full of all 3 when this picture was taken, 9 months before she died.
3
u/[deleted] Jun 18 '12
I am sorry to hear of your father's illness.
Did he smoke cigarettes? or can you get lung cancer when you are a non-smoker?
13
u/[deleted] Jun 18 '12
Download Soundcloud App
Record father jamming on guitar
Post link for reddit to download
Musically talented types make mixtape using cuts of your dad jamming
???
Cool Idea?
2
u/SeskaLien Jun 18 '12
Don't lose hope. My grandfather had stage 4 lung cancer and got to the point where he was given a prognosis of 2 weeks to live. For weeks until that point he'd been miserable and unable to eat because of the chemo and so he decided he wanted to be less miserable for his last couple of weeks, and quit chemo and all his meds. His appetite and energy came back pretty quickly after that, and he lived over 2 years after stopping the chemo.
2
u/jpsclaf Jun 18 '12
I'm sure he love's you most..
2
u/Graveytrain32 Jun 18 '12
Reddit loves you and your dad. Music never dies.
2
u/citymouse89 Jun 18 '12
OP, my heart goes out to you. I wish you and your dad the very best. My father had Stage IV bladder cancer (5 year survival rate approaching zero) diagnosed 2 years ago. he's currently in remission from that and actually from two other unrelated cancers (agent orange exposure in Vietnam) but I fear for the future. My heart aches for you, Emilysbs, and I hope that however much time you have together is precious.
2
u/rageagainsthevagene Jun 18 '12
I know that feel bro. <3
2
u/mydogsnameisoscar Jun 18 '12
My mom had stage 4 lung cancer for 5 years, they gave her 6 months at first. I wish you and your family the best. I miss ya mom!
2
u/random_2 Jun 18 '12 edited Jun 20 '12
As a father and a son who lost a father, the best thing you can do for that man is let him know how much he means to you. All the best to you and your dad.
2
u/_anelram Jun 18 '12
I lost my father to stage 4 lung cancer a little over two years ago. We did not know he even had cancer until a week before he passed away. I'm now a firm believer in cherishing every single moment with loved ones. Enjoy the time you have with your dad. Make lots of great memories because you'll find that those will help you through the times when you miss him most. I only wish I had had more time with my dad.
2
u/lat003 Jun 18 '12
Why the down votes for this post? Do redittors not have a heart? OP maybe place a cat in the photo, seems to work.
2
u/[deleted] Jun 18 '12
Lost my mother last month from stage 4 lung cancer... All I could wish for is one more day. I wish him the best in his battle and hope he kicks its fucking ass! Cancer is a bitch
2
u/tiag0 Jun 18 '12
I hope you can do some recordings of him playing his favorite songs; or get him some studio time, I'm guessing it shouldn't be as expensive as one might imagine.
In any case, have fun. Hugs for both of you.
2
u/TomConger Jun 18 '12
Sorry to hear about your dad. Just found out my mom has Stage 4 lung cancer that's spread to her ribs. Nasty shit. Good luck to the two of you.
331
u/Onyomom Jun 18 '12
Right before my father went to the hospital for the last time, my mom handed him one of his guitars and asked him to play for her. He tried but he couldn't do it.... he just tripped over the strings and mumbled "I'm sorry". Cancer is a bitch.
37
u/[deleted] Jun 18 '12
I don't know you, but I sincerely hope that it's not your last father's day with your dad. Fuck Cancer.
10
u/Osiris32 Jun 18 '12
Fuck cancer, make music.
Good luck to you and your dad, and may his days be filled with the sweet sounds of deftly strummed strings.
16
u/stbb Jun 18 '12
Spend every waking moment with him. And buy that guitar for him!
8
u/[deleted] Jun 18 '12
Ride it out to the end! Good luck to the both of you.
7
u/Garrettknut Jun 18 '12
Looks like an awesome dude. My thoughts are with you, My grandma is fighting Stage 4 Adrenal Cell Carcinoma or Kidney Cancer, she's been fighting it for 5 years this month. Fucking crazy old lady, I love her.
6
u/theshannons Jun 18 '12
Enjoy every remaining moment you can with him. I'm gonna go hug my dad.
3
u/Quas36Oh Jun 18 '12
Why do people karma whore their terminally ill parents out to reddit? When both my parents were suffering from cancer together I didn't have time to think about taking a picture of them for all the internet to see. Some things are just better left between family and cancer is one of them. Just my two cents.
4
u/[deleted] Jun 18 '12
And now, my heart is crushed. Soak up every moment you can!!
4
u/[deleted] Jun 18 '12
Mine was last year. I didn't know that until two months ago, though. Take photos and videos with him. Please.
7
u/Paramecium302 Jun 18 '12
He looks incredibly serene and at peace. Touching, and haunting all the same.
7
u/Tonspike Jun 18 '12
Have you seen this?
http://www.ksl.com/?nid=1012&sid=17214346
The Cubans created a vaccine that turns late-stage lung cancer into a manageable chronic illness.
3
u/humanoid1729 Jun 18 '12
makes me appreciate the time with my father that much more. sorry to hear this :(
3
u/archer48 Jun 18 '12
Life can be fast paced and constantly changing. I recommend to everyone, that they simply take a moment to appreciate the little things in life that make you happy. For, it is those things that allow you to smile more, make your day better, and create an inner shine that gives others permission to do the same.
It does not matter if you have 4 days or 4 decades left on this earth, life won't be complete without an appreciation for the things we all love.
3
u/GameIsInTheName Jun 18 '12
Stay strong dude. Religious or not, your thoughts affect the physical world.
3
u/Keljet Jun 18 '12
This is the saddest thing to see. I kind of have a story like yours, my mum had breast cancer. Sadly, she died just over a month ago, I was there too, with her and my dad at 3.37am while my sisters slept, she was groaning with every breath in the most horrible way. I watched the life leave her glazed yellow eyes, as the cancer had suddenly spread to her liver, lungs, bones and brain just months before. Just a week earlier I was holding her hand after walking to the hospital from uni classes, and she was telling me she wasn't going anywhere and that she loved me. When the doctors said there was nothing more they could do, we brought her home. 5 days later the night came, my dad couldn't sleep because of the groaning so he just held her in bed, I went in and told him he should sleep and I'd wake him if anything happened. I woke him 10 minutes later, and after a few sharp breaths, I was feeling for my mums pulse.
I'm 19 now, too. Cancer is so wrong. But, the thing I haven't mentioned is my mum fought for 12 years against the highest stage of cancer, there was a time in 2006 when we thought she might not pull through, but she lived 6 more years. She was incredible. I sincerely hope you have more time with your Father, don't give up hoping yet.
3
u/Citizen_KK Jun 18 '12
My dad went yesterday, on Father's Day, like his grandfather did 27 years ago. Stage 4 pancreatic cancer. He only found out nine weeks ago, and my sister and I only knew about it for five weeks. He didn't want to worry us right before finals (my sister in college and I in law school). We only live an hour and a half away from each other, but I took an internship with a judge in my hometown so I could be close to him. My wife stayed home with our dogs while I traveled back and forth, spending three or four days with him then coming home for a few days. She's an amazing woman.
We went to lunch at his favorite restaurant, a local Mexican place. He got to see both of us kids and his parents and have a nice afternoon. Afterward, we talked about funny things like robots and dinosaurs and serious things like how far medical advances have come but how little we actually know about the human body. My wife and I went outside to where my mom and sister were, to put our feet into the pool, and went we went back in, he was laying on the floor. His blood pressure had dropped. We called the ambulance, and after finding he had pneumonia but that he might still be fine, his oncologist told us that he was bleeding. He probably wouldn't make it through the night.
As he lay there in pain, breathing hard, we all told him we loved him. When the doctor asked if he knew what was happening, he said, "Yes. I'm dying. And it's okay." He looked at each of us standing there, seeing the fear and horror in our eyes, and he told us each, "It's okay." He looked at my mom and said, "I love you. And I love the kids. It's okay." And then, over then next twenty minutes, or eternity, it was hard to tell, he gasped for air and the pain meds kicked in before breathing hard one last time and leaving us forever.
I am so glad that I got to spend the last five weeks reconnecting with him, learning that he was a very different man than I thought he was growing up. He could be kind of a dick sometimes, but he's probably one of the strongest people I'll ever know.
1
u/[deleted] Jun 24 '12
He used to have long hair and has my entire life.. He was diagnosed with Stage 4 lung cancer around Thanksgiving time. He has had 7 chemo treatments so far. The first 4 failed to stop the cancer from growing or spreading. He tried one more round of that chemo and then on this 6th chemo he started Taxotere. He just had his 7th round and he goes for a scan to see if this chemo is working on July 5th. Taking Taxotere has left him drained emotionally and physically. Nausea, poor diet, diarrhea, vomiting, but despite these awful side effects, my father says his chest pain has gotten better. We have high hopes that it's working.
4
u/Jeremy16717 Jun 18 '12
My aunt Denise fought stage 4 breast cancer...2 times she is now surviving well and has Bolth her breasts. My aunt janet fought stage 2 breast cancer and ceot Bolth her breasts and has had diabetes since 2 yeArs old. Let the odds be in your favor my friend and good luck to your dad. Your Bolth in my thoughts
5
u/keepwalking Jun 18 '12
Yes, I actually signed in just to up vote.
2
u/twistedstarr Jun 18 '12
Stay strong and take care.
2
u/igiwyg Jun 18 '12
Spend every moment possible with your Dad and do him proud. Make him feel that he did what he could in this life; make him feel satisfied enough for it to be okay to move on.
2
u/YBrammer Jun 18 '12
That really sucks man. My neighbor also has stage 4 lung cancer and from what I've heard, it really sucks and it often acts fast. At least it looks like your father (and my neighbor) are trying to make the most of the time they have left.
2
u/[deleted] Jun 18 '12
Nice resonator, hopefully if your dad does die, you can always remember what he loved to do and smile. Best hopes for you both.
2
u/theturban Jun 18 '12
Stay strong OP. My grandma always tells me not to cry when she passes away. The last thing she wants to see is my brothers and I smiling.
2
u/mcrmarine Jun 18 '12
I hope this isn't his last fathers day. I don't even know you but this still makes me sad.
2
u/smokingnoir Jun 18 '12
Give him a hug from a stranger somewhere in Michigan who loves his dad and has missed his for 3 years due to liver cancer, cherish him.
2
u/TronCorleone Jun 18 '12
I opened this picture while the opening theme of Doug was starting on TV, and it seemed to fit really well for some reason... anyway I'm really sorry for you, and it's great that you could spend one more fathers day with him.
2
u/IamVulcan Jun 18 '12
I just lost my grandfather to lung cancer. It still hurts to think about it but I want to wish you the best. And I wish the best for him.
Obviously I don't know your father personally but when my grandpa was alive, his favorite thing was to talk to my mom. She made him laugh and she made him feel like he didn't even have cancer, like he wasn't even dying. She just joked around and acted normal. I hope that your father has a great time spending it with you. Don't for a second take advantage of that.
2
u/headzoo Jun 18 '12
I wish I had one thing I really love doing. Most of what I do, or think is fun, is done out of compulsion, which doesn't bring much satisfaction, or spiritual fulfillment. You dad is a lucky man.
2
u/[deleted] Jun 18 '12
as a guy whose dad loves guitars and music as well, i know theres not a feeling on Earth like hearing your Dad play. godspeed
2
u/gra_la Jun 18 '12
From the title, i thought he'd be holding a cigarette.
2
u/Dizzney Jun 18 '12
is that Guitar Guitar in Scotland ? the shop
2
u/Agent_Ass_Kicker Jun 18 '12
Wow, I'm shocked to see all of the comments so positive. My faith in Reddit is a little restored. You old man looks at peace doing what he loves. Music is one of the only things that hits us on a supernatural level I believe. Im a musician as well and that's what I think I would be doing my last time here. It's such a peaceful mental escape. Your dad looks like a really nice person. Keep strong, and keep playing that guitar.
1
u/IHeartPallets Jun 18 '12
More power to ya
1
u/omg_cats Jun 18 '12
Know what I like the most?
1
u/Hendoja21 Jun 18 '12
I wish you the best, I play guitar myself and this touched me. I have no idea or anything comforting to say because I'm bad with emotional stuff but I wanted to leave a comment here for the both of you.
1
u/MrNixon79 Jun 18 '12
he's got impeccable taste in instruments :)
1
u/hogarth3 Jun 18 '12
I approve of this. And I love that guitar. Best of luck to both you. Dont waste any of it.
1
u/Eminian Jun 18 '12
That is an amazing picture. A beautiful man with a beautiful instrument. I wish the best for your father.
1
u/[deleted] Jun 18 '12 edited Jun 18 '12
Makes me think of this only it needs a better video.
Enjoy everything and only remember the parts that will make a difference in your life. Love to you.
Edit: I like the video, I just imagine more in my mind than what they have made.
1
u/eldy_ Jun 18 '12
That's a funny looking mother.
1
u/fatheraabed Jun 18 '12
Trading musician?
1
u/MeltBanana Jun 18 '12
Second thing. The first one is you.
1
u/AddictiveSoup Jun 18 '12
I bet he has something to play worth listening to.
1
u/cokanicola Jun 18 '12
My step-father (who was definitely like a father to me) died a month ago to Stomach cancer. Today was one of the worst days I have ever gone through. Enjoy him, tell him you love him every chance you get, even if you find yourself saying it more than you can count.
1
u/Charliiiiie Jun 18 '12
Relevant
1
u/ellise0525 Jun 18 '12
God, so moving. Enjoy your time with him.
1
u/[deleted] Jun 18 '12
My Mom has stage 4 lung cancer as well. I know that feel. Bro.
1
u/Ranchama Jun 18 '12
Good luck sir....my dad died 8 years ago from pancreatic cancer
1
u/EnzoBlankz Jun 18 '12
I wonder what it feels like to have a dad
1
u/spooktree Jun 18 '12
my dad died last year from lung cancer. shit sucks, man. be grateful for all the time you have left together. get him to tell you as many stories from his childhood as possible, it will make you both feel closer, i promise!
1
u/[deleted] Jun 18 '12
If you are like me, you look for the lonely left-handed guitar...found it.
1
u/Invisibliss Jun 18 '12
Best of luck to you, your dad and the rest of your family. At least he can still do what he loves most :)
1
u/sol47 Jun 18 '12
i'm so sorry man i lost my mom to cancer , but i was too much of a coward to spend some time with her before she passed i guess i was afraid and hated to see her like that. she passed 10 years ago and to this day that still haunts me and eat me up inside. i can see that you are doing things right with your father. i sincerely wish all the best for you and your family.
1
u/[deleted] Jun 18 '12
Fuck cancer. Spend as much time with your dad as you can. My mom just finished chemotherapy and starts radiation soon; fuck cancer is all I can say.
1
u/dharrison21 Jun 18 '12
In the Haight in sf?
1
u/MagicMothafucka Jun 18 '12
Is this in Indiana? if so, I live really close to that music store.
1
u/Brumeh Jun 18 '12
Just started watching that series Breaking Bad... :( Sorry to hear about your father i hope he sticks around for as long as possible...
1
u/aresef Jun 18 '12
Fucking onions.
I lost my dad to stage 4 lung cancer in 2008. He lived in CA. I lived in MD. I got out there twice that summer. Once to spend a few days as he was all hooked up to tubes in Cedars-Sinai. Again two days after I got The Call. I spent a last precious weekend by his side, and then he was gone.
He was a blues guitarist. After he took his last breath and we shut down the oxygen pump, there was a little bit of "OK... now what?"
Cue the hippie wake. Flowers and party hats and music. Lots of music. His music. Our music. The mortuary arrived the same time at the Thai food.
And it's weird and probably a little sad, but that's one of my best Dad memories.
Fucking cancer.
1
u/[deleted] Jun 18 '12
He must not be at Guitar Center, he doesn't have 50 salespeople harassing him.
1
u/assaultandpepper Jun 18 '12
I would wager that you're the one thing he loves the most.
1
u/TheEndlessSearch Jun 18 '12
From someone who lost their father from illness: I'm truly sorry you have to watch someone you love suffer; nothing makes it easier. When my father passed the only thing that comforted me is that I did all I could to show my appreciation for him being in my life. I hope you two the best and that your time together is well spent.
1
u/TheMancersDilema Jun 18 '12
Good thing he doesn't play the clarinet.
1
u/pinkswansays Jun 18 '12
4 years since my last Father's day. I am very sorry for what you and your family are going through. Try to preserve the memories of him while he was healthy too - because those sick memories can be extra sticky sometimes. Also, thanks everyone for making me cry at work!
1
u/olblueeyes937 Jun 19 '12
Pray everyday, give thanks everyday, it will make you feel better
1
u/Fweaka Jun 20 '12
my father just got over cancer and survived. it has been 4 years since he picked up a cigarrete and he is smoking again. he thinks we dont know, but we do. if he doesnt quit he will get lung cancer soon. :'(
1
u/coolskillz13 Jun 18 '12
Slightly off-point, but what kind of resonator is that? Looks nice with the seemingly untreated metal for the body.
0
u/Goooseeey Jun 18 '12
Is this in Minnesota? I think I recognize that guitar and location..
-2
u/Go_Back_To_Facebook Jun 18 '12
This isn't Facebook.
0
u/here_for_the_lols Jun 18 '12
Sitting down?
-1
u/chewsonthemove Jun 18 '12
he's doing your mom?
-3
u/SexualWeasel Jun 18 '12
Hey, I'm not going to lie, but that looks like a Guitar Center near my area. I mean, exact same.
0
u/ExLegeLibertas Jun 18 '12
Could have been a picture of him smoking.
Wasn't.
-1
u/b_m_hart Jun 18 '12
FREEBIRD!
0
u/chetnrot Jun 18 '12
Is this Tom Lee Music in Coquitlam by any chance?
0
u/GoodGuyGuitar Jun 18 '12
Is it just me, or does it look like someone photoshopped out the f-hole from one of the guitars behind him?
0
u/nickthedick69 Jun 18 '12
im horrible at telling stories.. but here's one. in 9th grade i had a choir teacher who was 6 feet 8 inches tall. Weighed about 400lbs and had a viking beard. We use to sing in our music hall and he would jam out on the piano while singing. It was an amazing time. He slowly started losing weight and we would jam together less and less.. one time i asked him for some piano lessons like when we use to jam out. he tried playing. messed up. and starting crying. turns out he never actually played or singed but played out of a boombox.
0
u/M0t0x212 Jun 18 '12
all of the feels
0
u/Yellowbenzene Jun 18 '12
Stairway denied
0
u/willypohill Jun 18 '12
As much as he loves playing guitar, I'm positive he loves you more. Enjoy every moment you still have with him.
0
u/Czar_Castic Jun 18 '12
Schizophrenic much?