New update.
I talked to Dad two days ago. Unfortunately, he has two lesions on his brain, but he seemed unfazed by this revelation. They still don’t really know where else the lung cancer has spread. He has numerous doctors appointments this week. He is eager to get his treatments started, whatever they happen to be.
Like I said before, I hope he’s eligible for the chemo pill, but he’s willing to do general chemo too, if that is what it takes.
Many prayers your Fathers way. Prayers & comfort for you also.
Update:
I went to visit Dad today. He has lost a lot of weight, and he is tired. The type of cancer is adenosarcoma, and its in his brain, lungs and kidneys and maybe other places as well. He is in a fighting mood against it, however, which is good.
He is currently undergoing radiation treatments to treat the lesions in his brain. There are five of them — originally, I thought there were only two. They are irradiating most of his brain, since with five lesions, there is a good chance of other cancer cells scattered throughout his brain. He is taking steroids to prevent the treatments from causing swelling in his brain, but the steroids have lowered his appetite. However, he is eating a number of small meals each day.
He has two more radiation treatments tomorrow and Tuesday. On the 17th, he starts chemo. Fortunately, doctors discovered a mutation in (some of) his cancer cells that could make him eligible for pill chemo. However, the cell samples they have are too few in number to assure that all the cancer cells have that mutation. Therefore, the regular chemo is on.
One peculiar aspect of his illness is that he cannot take antioxidants anymore. His oncologist said that the ones in his regular multivitamin are acceptable, but he cannot take any others. The reason is that antioxidants protect all cells, whether they are cancerous or not.
I helped him around the house a bit, replacing some light bulbs in the garage and removing the packaging from a foam mattress that he plans to lie on, due to a pulled muscle in his back.
He has changed physicians, of course. With the old physician, he would have continued taking antibiotics for his pneumonia, and he would be dying. Also, two specialists he talked to said he didn’t have cancer. Idiots all.
This is a bad situation, all right, but he is facing it with the utmost courage, and he plans to beat it. I hope that he does. Please continue praying for him. Thanks.
Update:
Dad’s in the hospital again. He was suddenly set upon by extreme weakness and shortness of breath. He’s being hydrated there, and he’s on oxygen, so hopefully he’ll be better by tomorrow or the day after.
He was in the hospital last week for weakness, also, but that episode wasn’t as severe, I think. His doctor said this is not at all uncommon, after the first episode. Presumably, the radiation treatments to his brain are the cause of this. Still, it’s alarming as hell, wondering if I will see him again.
The upside is, he did get all the radiation treatments done. He simply needs to get strong enough to handle chemo.
Please pray for him.
Prayers up!!!!!
Leni
My Dad passed away today after his six-week battle with lung cancer. I hope to see him again in Heaven. His last words to me, sent in a text yesterday, were “still fighting.”
He was to be admitted to the hospital yesterday afternoon, due to extreme weakness and dehydration. However, he collapsed at the Anne Arundel medical center. He briefly lost his pulse, but was resuscitated and immediately rushed to the hospital. He never regained consciousness, but before he collapsed, he kept repeating that he did not want extreme measures to keep him alive, so we respected his wishes. He passed away today, about 24 hours after he collapsed.
We pray to God for the outcomes that we want, but sometimes, sadly, the answer is no. He does things in His own way. Now Dad is with Him.
prayers poured out
Your family is in our prayers.
So sorry for your loss. Prayers for all.
Oh my. I’m so very sorry. Hugs and prayers for him and your family.
I read that he passed. May he rest in peace.
Please accept my condolences to you and your family on the passing of your father, TSR.
So sorry, Tolerance. My prayers for you and your family.
I’m so very sorry to hear this news. Nothing really prepares us for the loss of our father. I pray that the time with your family brings you warmth during the pain and you find little signs of him wherever you go. Blessings to you.
I am so very, very sorry for your loss, TSR. Prayers for your family. For whatever reason, pneumonia is going around here. I am not sure as to why. (((Hugs))) and God Bless. Mom