Awkward Situation: Could use some Advice

[Mike 03]

My father is undergoing treatment for (incurable) cancer, and he is at the point where the amount of painkillers he is taking, combined with other factors, is impairing his ability to drive. We have a fairly curvy, way-too-fast 90 minute drive for his therapy, and it seems to be important to his self-esteem to do the driving. This worries me, because he's always driving with my mother, or myself or one of my sisters in the car. The most horrific thing I can imagine would be a crash that takes out my mother, me and my father. He drives way too fast for this drive, which is a descent from 5,000 feet above sea level to the desert.

It's not that my dad is not a good driver: He is a great driver, but as he takes more meds, his reaction time is slowing, but his speed is increasing. It makes me nervous as hell.

Is there some delicate, caring, unhurtful way to address this problem? I think it would be better if, at least some of the time, he allowed other people to drive.

We have two very important, stressful meetings coming up, this week and next week, and I'm going to have to either drive myself separately or drive with him, or figure out some graceful way of convincing him to allow me, or my mother, to drive.

I just think it would be better and safer if he would not insist on driving in his current condition, but there's that whole father son thing and I am afraid to confront him on this issue.

Any ideas or suggestions on how to deal with this would be appreciated.

[NV Whino]

1. Ask the doctor to be the bad guy

Your dad might take the advice from his doctor that it is no longer wise to operate a vehicle.

[Mike 03]

2. Damn, that's a great idea. We also have a great nurse that he respects, and I think I could

talk to her about this.

That is a wonderful idea.

Thank you!

[elleng]

8. Was gonna say the same thing.

Best to all of you.

:hug:

[enigmatic]

3. I agree with this

:thumbsup:

[Mike 03]

4. Yes, it's a great idea! NT

[hibbing]

6. I agree three

Hi,
I agree with NV Whino's advice. Excellent and it certainly makes perfect logic to me. Sorry to hear of your situation, hang in there the best as you can.

Peace

[bigwillq]

5. That was fast.

Problem solved! Good idea! :)

[applegrove]

7. Tell him you love him but you can't let him drive on the highway. That your family

cannot handle anything more than they are already dealing with now. Nothing but the truth.