Danielle J.

About Danielle J.

My story is one one fight, struggles, love, bravery and tears. My name is Danielle Johnson and my Dad was Robert Erskin Carter, a hard working and generous father and husband. Since as far back as I can remember my Dad was fit and healthy and never in a million years would I imagine that I would lose the pillar of our family when we did. You see, my dad was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2005. As you can imagine the diagnosis came as quite a blow to my family and never would I imagine that I would lose the pillar of our family when we did. You see, my dad was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2005. I was newly married and pregnant with my first son. When my mother and father met with the doctor they were told that he had a few options for treatment but the best option for him would be to remove his prostate. After much debate they decided on the radical procedure feeling that this would end the ugly cancer diagnosis. My father was taken into surgery And after the surgery concluded they told us that they had removed the prostate and will proceed with radiation and monitor his PSA levels. It was a success! Post surgery we threw my father as a surprise 69th birthday and invited all of his friends. Time has passed and my dad never want to talk about the big C word. He was strong again! Back to work, deep sea fishing (his 2nd true love next to his family) and life moved on… my husband and I had a second child a daughter and both my mother and father were supremely doting and exceptional grandparents. Years passed And so did doctors appointments and the PSA level check got further and further. The unfortunate thing is when prostate cancer is caught early often it’s treatable/curable unfortunately for our family even with the removal of his prostate cancer returned this time with a vengeance. The year was 2010 and my father is being treated by a myriad of drugs given to him by the VA hospital. Appointment after appointment and PSA check after PSA check We are finding that the drugs slow down the big C but in no way is he winning the fight – what we did see is my dad in pain and slowing down and even more apparent was the toll it’s taking on my mom – she’s withdrawn and unable to help, compute and see her way through the wake of this wave of disease that has washed over not only my dad but our whole family! The prostate cancer had metastasized and spread to his liver lungs and bones. His appetite was gone and I at the time was trying to force him to eat to stay strong as his body now a bag of bones and frail was failing him…my mom the consummate Caregiver now also falling apart mentally. The end had come and the “angels” of hospice we’re at our home teaching us how to say goodbye- to this day one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to do. We lost my Dad on my sons 7th birthday, 12/17/2011. Talk about hard – through tears we told him that they now share the same birthday only Papa would just have grown his wings and is in a better place and would be watching over him ❤️. Following my dads death my mom seemingly fell apart, memory loss was apparent and depression hit her hard knocking her down. One thing lead to another and we were taking mom to doctors in hope to put her pieces back together. Unfortunately mom diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. Back in the saddle again we do our very best to understand, be compassionate and give the best care for our first love our parent ❤️ The photo I’ve attached was 11/30, 17 days before he passed

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