Not Fair

As I type this Dad is lying in a hospital bed awaiting surgery on his bowel, bloody cancer.

So why not fair.

He's 90 years and a few months old. For 70 of those years he has been vegetarian, he has always been an active sportsman, race walking, cycle racing, mostly long distance, though he did time trial on the bike.
He has never smoked and in the 62 years I have known him, only ever seen him drunk once, otherwise he didn't drink at all.

Its left him wondering why he bothered to look after himself, to live a healthy lifestyle, it's also left his employers short an employee, until next week Dad says, "I've never taken time off sick and don't intend to start now"

True Mugs...

...it is not fair.

Dad sounds like he is a tough old stick though.

Our thoughts are with you and your Dad, and hoping for a speedy recovery

news just in

back on ward .. wide awake .. demanding return of dentures immediately

Mugs, he is 90 + and sounds like his life has been full and varied ...... Life for him was a lot 'fairer' than a young 2 year old we know of that has just died from brain cancer .......

That is not a go at you or your Dad ... we also have a 85 year old parent who is currently in & out of hospital ..... we wish your father the very best outcome.

yeah I know about the father in law mate, best wishes to you and yours.

update.

He is coming out this afternoon, the surgeon can see no reason why Dad wont receive his telegram from the queen in a few years time.

Best wishes to your Dad Mugs. I know it's not easy having to go through it.

My Dad had throat cancer 10 or so years ago, never smoked in his life (odd cigar and a pipe occasionally, but never inhaled) and was a sports lecturer/teacher during his working life, and still has a weight machine in his garage. I've never seen him drunk. Made me stop smoking, eventually, but also made him wonder why he'd bothered.

The consultant made a very good point, and this will probably ring true with your Dad too. If he hadn't bothered, and wasn't as fit as he was/is, the prognosis may not have been so good, and the chances of it staying in remission could have been reduced. So, it probably is worth it, I know I'm on my bike to help me stay fit so I can be a pain in the ass to my kids when I'm older!!!!!

just thought I would mention;

Dad spent a day in hospital and the next 3 at my sisters, he is now home and back working and bowling and is generally completely unphased by the whole experience

Mum was a non-drinker / smoker.

Died at 67. Didn't see the kids finish school, start life etc.

But then again....life doesn't come with guarantee's

Still isn't right though

so what's right?