(OT) Cancer

Latest update:

Talked to the family GP today. Dad's cancer is inoperable (his actual words were "non-resectable" - why can't these guys speak English?), due in large part to his other circulatory problems. If left untreated he would have 3-6 months, but with treatment it's too early to know. The oncologist hasn't drawn any conclusions yet, or even determined what manner of treatment regimen is warranted. It does appear the cancer is gastric in origin, which apparently is much better than pancreatic in origin. Bottom line is that his days are now numbered, but we won't know how long for another 2-3 months (have to see how he responds to treatment). At some point in the not distant future treatment will be overshadowed by pain control, which will probably indicate the end is near. The next big question will be what Mom will do - I'm an only child, so don't know if I can get her to move down here, or maybe finangle a humanitarian transfer back to Ohio. Many decisions coming down the pike...

And thank you for your prayers and words of encouragement.

------------------
"...and he that hath no sword, let him sell his garment, and buy one."
Luke 22:36
"An armed society is a polite society."
Robert Heinlein
"Power corrupts. Absolute power - is kinda cool!"
Fred Reed
 
mk86fcc - You and your family are in my prayers and thoughts. As was mentioned, try to be positive. Very hard to do given the circumstances.

I'm an only child, too. With something like this, it is a very tough row to hoe. Hang in there...

Best regards,

Cliff
 
Enjoy the time you have with him. Don't spare telling him the things you want him to know, because you will regret it. Not to give false hopes, but my eighty two year old grandmother had ovarian cancer this year. Complete and total hysterectomy. Then the parts not removed were implanted with a radioactive "seed". When I saw her a month ago, I thought the end was near. Today, she is back to cooking, cleaning, and only has minor pain associated with surgery. There are options, but your best one is to get that transfer, and spend the time you have left enjoying those remaining months. I will keep you in my thoughts, hopes and prayers.
 
mk86fcc,

My prayers will definately be with you, my man....my own father passed away last September (99) from esophageal cancer, a real nasty way to go. I understand your fear and anxiety totally. Don't pander to him or let him see your fear, but don't ignore him either, like a lot of people do. This is a sad day for you, but with prayer galore and lots of support, your pops should pull through. Lots of things deemed unoperable are just not so. Get another opinion and then another. I will pray for him and your mom for strength and guidance. But remember...spend tons of time with him and let him talk to you, even if he rambles on and on....I learned some things from my own dad that I wished that I had learned years before he died. Be strong and keep the faith...God bless you guys!

Fish
 
mk86fcc, may our Lord grant you wisdom and guidance; draw your family closer together and closer to Him; and shower your father with peace and love. In the name of and for the sake of our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

--D
 
My dad had whats called a Basil cell Cancenoma removed last year. It will probably come back. After the Doc reviewed my dad's history the cause of the cancer is stated as repeated exposure to desert condition. My dad spent years in a rapid deployment unit so he went to Fort Irwin twice a year and he spent a year in Saudi and Iraq whipping Saddam's butt. Guess who paid for the surgery? The private health care he has with the company he works for as a consultant. Sorry I have used your thread as rant. I just really hate Cancer.
 
Well, Mom talked to the oncologist yesterday and filled me in last night. Without doing a CAT scan (which they can't do until he regains some strength due to the particularly foul concoction he'll have to drink) he thinks treatment will afford Dad a reasonable quality of life for about a year. (That was easier to type than it was to proofread.) Many conflicting emotions/thoughts, don't think it's fully sunk in yet. In a little bit I'll be calling him. Not sure what to say - feel like the old line of, "Aside from that Mrs. Lincoln, how was the play?" A lot depends on his attitude. If he decides to fight this, who knows? If he just accepts it and resigns himself to it, well...

I'd like to thank everyone again for their prayers, well wishes, and words of encouragement. And thanks, too, to the moderators for letting this way OT thread continue.

------------------
"...and he that hath no sword, let him sell his garment, and buy one."
Luke 22:36
"An armed society is a polite society."
Robert Heinlein
"Power corrupts. Absolute power - is kinda cool!"
Fred Reed
 
Remember God is the great physician, with faith anything is possible. Don't give up hope, God answers the prayers of the faithful. Also it may be helpful to remember what the apostle Paul said, and I'll paraphrase, "To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord."
Your Brother, Arrell
 
Good news! My dad has decided to fight. He doesn't have unrealistic expectations - he knows the cancer will probably win in the end. But he's decided he will not go quietly into the night. He intends to make it drag him kicking and screaming every inch of the way. He and my mom figure about 3/4 of the battle is up to them, so they're going to do their part, and let the doctors worry about the rest. :) Obviously, I too have a much more positive outlook today.

------------------
"...and he that hath no sword, let him sell his garment, and buy one."
Luke 22:36
"An armed society is a polite society."
Robert Heinlein
"Power corrupts. Absolute power - is kinda cool!"
Fred Reed
 
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