My wonderful father Albert Moser passed away May 20, 2023. The last few months have been incredibly hard. After his 4th dose of chemo in February, he had a big bleed from a tumor in his bladder which almost killed him. After a 10 day hospital stay with 12 transfusions and nephrostomy tubes inserted he returned home but we learned that his cancer had spread to his liver and all the bones in his body. It seemed as though the Docetaxel re-challenge didn't touch the cancer or slow it down at all. When his bladder tumor was resected the new pathology report came back as Gleason score 10.
As luck would have it, Initio medical clinic in Burnaby BC got the license to privately give Pluvicto and have a PSMA-PET scan which was not available in Calgary. My dad was thrilled for the opportunity to go to Vancouver because Germany or even flying to the US was so daunting due to him being quite weak to consider air travel and the cost for the drug in the US was just impossible. My sister (who is a OT) and I (who is a PT) loaded him up in a camper van for the 10 hour drive to Vancouver (his idea) after he had two units of blood transfused that morning. He loved the journey out there with his "team". We reminisced of all the trips we had done as a family over the years and listened to "On the Road again" a few times on the drive. It was ironic because when we were young my dad drove us to Vancouver for a gymnastics competition and we got to tell him now roles have reversed.
His PSMA PET scan was very positive, PSA 1000 at the time. We got the news while having ice cream on Granville island. He cried tears of joy saying "I have another opportunity for life." I think this was one of the best days of my life, it was just so touching to have my dad so happy to have just a sliver of hope. Sadly, we had to wait 1.5 weeks for the treatment and during this time my dad developed an infection from his nephrostomy tubes that sent him back into hospital in a delirious state for 5 nights. He was discharged a day before his treatment and was able to get Pluvicto on April 4 as the 3rd man in Canada to receive it privately. Things were looking good but the infection reoccured when we got home. He returned back to our local hospital on April 7th and went back and forth from the Calgary and Banff hospital 3 times until his death on May 20. The first 3 weeks after the treatment seemed like things were trending in the right direction. His pain was almost non-existant even until his last breath which we are so grateful for and the doctors believe was due to the treatment. However, his bone marrow just was too low in reserve as well as his Albumin was getting low as well, specifically he wasn't making platelets. He finally decided he'd rather be in the Banff (his home hospital) and he was transferred back from Calgary.
We were able to bring him home on a day pass for 6 days. This was a really special time with the family and close friends. He enjoyed some Jack and Cokes, good food (my dad was a french chef so if it wasn't prostate cancer the hospital food would have killed him), live music, worked with my brother in his office (my mother and father run a bed and breakfast, and my dad wanted to work each day we brought him back, I don't know anyone who loved their job this much!) My dad was one of a kind. He loved his life. He always turned to me and said "it's not over until it's over Fabienne." He had such an ability to hope when the situation was hopeless. I am so proud of how he faced these moments and he loved his life so much.
I wanted to say a big thank you to all of you as I have been part of this group for 5+ years and I have found it to be my lifeline! I would often relay stories and information to my father but honestly this group has allowed me the knowledge which turned into power to advocate for my father over the years. I often tell people learning about prostate cancer is like learning a language. At first the concepts seem hard to understand but if you keep reading and learning it does get easier and it's so important to learn about all the different options, especially different international options. I'll admit sometimes I would be very scared to post as you never want to hear what you don't want to hear but I always found useful insight with every post. I truly believe this group gave my dad more time on the earth. So thank you all and I wish you all the best in your personal journey with the disease. I will always remain interested in advocating for support against this disease so if anyone out there has ideas on this or a foundation please feel free to contact me, I want to stay involved. My immediate plan is to host a blood drive in town as there is no where to donate blood. My dad needed 25 + transfusions in the last 3 months, I told every doctor, don't worry I will make sure we give back every unit he needed. I also have a dream to bring different physicians together (nuclear med docs, oncologists, researchers) for a conference. I live in Banff Alberta and it's such an iconic place in the mountains. From what we've witnessed in this journey is there needs to be more collaboration among these practitioners, I think they can all learn from each other. Anyways, long post, big dreams, lots of love!
Thanks for telling us about him. You will always have memories of great road trips. He seemed to be a very supportive father, and I see the beauty of being able to return the favor at the end. I'm awestruck that you want to continue supporting others. It says a lot about the values he raised you with.
Such a touching tribute to him. He was lucky to have such caring and loving children. RIP. You will I am sure loving and poignant memories you have with him.
Thank you for this sad but touching post. It made me smile and get teary eyed at the same time. Yor dad was quite a guy, and he was fortunate to have you caring for him. Condolences.
so sorry for your loss. Your dad sounded like he lived life to the fullest and was well loved. May you find comfort in your memories. - especially On the Road Again!
my condolences. Your father sounds like he was one of a kind! Best of luck with your idea for a conference,you definitely live in a magical place that should be be a great draw.
Such a beautiful example of love and selflessness. I’m sorry but you truly did all you could and we are immensely proud. Thanks for sharing this. I know you will carry him with you each and every day.
I'm so sorry for your loss. What a lovely tribute you wrote, both here an in the obituary. Thanks you for sharing him with us. Wishing you peace and strength.
Thank you so much for your story. The love you have for your father shines through and will continue through your efforts to help others. May that be a blessing for you. Thank you .
You continuing to care and help others amid your grief is incredible. Sharing your dad’s story in detail even up to the end is itself a big part of what helps us all. Thank you!
What a beautiful and thoughtful tribute to your dad. Based on your description, I feel like I know him, or wish I had. No doubt, he would be proud. My sincere condolences to you and your family.
I am sorry for your loss. Your father was so very special and lead an incredibly amazing life. His legacy is huge and his footprint on life is enormous. I am sad he has departed but his life is an inspiration to me. I thank you for being a part of this community and grateful for your support. ♥️♥️♥️
So sorry to hear about the loss of your Dad. I’m sure he was very proud of you and found consolation in the family he had, and the love that is never lost.
I am so compassionate toward your grief and his fight I will admire people who stood at their time and treasured times you had to share that it in it in self speaks volume's
What a wonderful albeit sad tribute you've written to your Dad. So sorry you and your family have lost him! Hang on to the beautiful memories you have and cherish the time you got to make them! God bless all of you!
I am so sorry we’ve lose another wonderful man to this disease. He sounds like he was magnificent. My best wishes to you in your grief journey. Life your days life to the fullest. Wake up each morning grateful for another day. It’s the best way to honor him. My sincerest condolences.💙
My sincere sympathy to you and your family on the loss of your father. Thank you for your post and the accompanying obituary. His life was well lived even though cut short. What a strong family! Your family is a testament to the type of man your father was.
Memories can never be taken away and you have many good memories, especially the memories of the courage shown by your father and yourselves.
There will be times when someone in your family needs one or another to lean on. At times friends or clergy can be helpful and sometimes --not. At times we are our own best counsel.
We never "get over" the loss of a loved one. We learn to live with the loss. We cope. It takes time. We all deal with the death of a loved one differently. We continue to live, to honor the one who has gone before us, by living a life that they would approve of, a life that would bring a smile to their face. To experience the best of life, we sometimes have to accept the pain that the separation of death brings.
Be strong when you need to be. Grieve when you have to.
Sorry for your loss. He did live a really beautiful place and that makes the life he did have all that much better. And he had a really beautiful daughter.
I am so sorry you have lost your beloved Dad. What a wonderful tribute, thank you for sharing it. Your Dad's life adventures and love will be with you to inspire you and your siblings. I hope you find some comfort knowing that your care and support helped him in so many ways. How fortunate he was to have you as a daughter and a warrior fighting for him all the way. Take good care of yourself
my heartfelt condolences...your last roadtrip must have been such a sweet memory for your dad...and you as well...I wish I had daughters as loving and caring as you..
I am so sorry for your loss but loved the fact that you guys got to travel down memory lane one last time and create a few more memories. Sounds like a beautiful happy family .. memories last a life time, hold them close to your heart. We all meet again some day
Thank you for sharing. Your Dad was an inspiration and clearly raised two wonderful women. And it's so nice to hear how you'll continue to fight. Godspeed
Thank you for sharing his wonderful life with us! Thank you also, for being his advocate, nurse, and most loving daughter.
His struggles are over, and hopefully yours will settle into comforting memories you can hold forever.
Pax
I’m happy to hear that his first and only Pluvicto treatment helped him in his last days. The road trip was worth it not only for that but also for the shared memories and time spent in each other’s company.
What a beautiful family and tribute to your father. The thoughts and prayers of those of us who have shared experiences with this disease are with you and your loved ones in this time of sorrow.
my deepest heartfelt condolences for the loss of your father. He sounds like an outstanding and loving soul. He was surrounded with care and love when he passed, none of us could ask for more than that. Your love for him is evident , he was lucky to have you advocating and caring for him.
What an amazing life he had and you with him, as your dad. Your posting was so touching and uplifting in how you and he were able to have such fun on your RV trip. He is someone who obviously loved life and lived it to its fullest and funnest.
You are also amazing in your spirit and hard work for a blood drive and to hopefully have doctors with different expertise speak with each other and coordinate their work with patients.
Everyone here is honored to have been able to share their experience and maybe to have been some help to you and your dad. I am very happy your dad did not have pain in his final days.
I wish you and your family the best in moving through your grief to a place of joy for yourselves. As for you, it sounds like you have a new mission to pursue and I wish you all the best!
Thanks for sharing this beautiful tribute to your dad. He was luck to have his children to love him and fight for him. The way you describe his love of life and hopefulness is very uplifting to me. I am now mCRPC and the seriousness of everything is becoming clear. As I face the health challenges in the months to come, I hope to keep a strong spirit (like your dad) for my wife and four kids.
Your dad sounds like a beauty. We should all aspire to find that kind of love for our lives. I know I have found a very deep appreciation for how lucky I’ve been to experience the places I’ve been and the people I’ve loved.
Condolences, but also, good on you for celebrating his life
My deepest sympathies to you and your family. He was fortunate to have all of you, as you were to have him. Pouring a jack + coke now in honor of your father, our brother.
I am so sorry to hear the sad news. I thought the medical services in Canada is first class seocnd to none in the world. From your posting I realized you cannot have a PSMA PET or Lu 177 ( Pluvicto) in Calgary. I thought there is a good center there. I lived in praire or many years and my main residence is still there. Many patients have to travel to Calgary for some cancer treatments. I wish Canadian medical sevices and technolgy would be as conveniently avaialble as in USA. I am also a PC patient but I was on waiitng list so I fliough back to my birth country for the treatment. At least i don't have to wait long. My condoleneces to your loss. May God be with you and give you comfort and peace.
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Heading down hospice road too…
My 80 year-old dad with MPCa, broke his leg and now seems to be giving up. Advice on best anti-anxiety meds desperately needed.
I wasn’t able to save Daddy. But I will see him again.
Heartbreaking choice - prayers and thoughts welcome
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