Finding out dad has cancer
My mind is racing and I have been reading everything I can in the last 24 hours on cancer.My father has been sick for sometime and been through many, many tests. They had found last year a spot on his lung and thyroid. We went from one specialist to another and then they determined that it had not grown or changed. The thyroid bx was negative...so we thought things were fine.
About a month ago he started having back and chest pains. A chest x-ray was done and he was told he has pneumonia. He was put on antibiotics for this. But the pain never went away and only got worse. He went back to his doctor three days ago and more tests were scheduled.
Yesterday I was at work (in the hospital) when his doctor came to the floor and asked to speak to me in private. We went into a room and then he told me ... Shirley I wished I didn't have to tell you this but it is not good. Your father has cancer in his lung and liver. The tears started falling and I felt I couldn't breath for a few minutes. He asked for me to call my parents and have them come back to the hospital right then. As we sat in his office it was explained to us. When he asked my father if he had any questions he just said I have nothing to say.
We will be going to a larger hospital tomorrow to discuss what needs to be done next. Probably a scope to collect tissue samples to determine what type of cancer.
My thoughts are still racing and I guess this will be my diary of our journey of doctors and trying to beat this ugly thing called cancer.
I am now listening to my parents talk in the next room and hope that I get to continue hearing it for a long time.
Comments (12)
My Mom was diagnosed with colon cancer a few years back. I was worried I was going to lose her for sure, but she recovered and has brought me happiness every day since.
Just give your Dad lots of love (if a believer, payers) and support. He is blessed to be loved by and have a daughter like you.
Prayers is what we all need. I will be praying for your Dad.
I am 18, soon to be 19 and this summer, just after my graduation, i lost my stepfather to esophageal cancer. It is one of the hardest things i have ever gone through and i am so young. Cancer is not fun, and i can honestly say that it is the only thing i HATE with unbridled passion.
I hope your dad gets well. I will be praying for your whole family. Message me if you have any questions.
Kynslee
The doctor said it would take a couple of days after the scope to get the results. I am hoping for the best but preparing myself (if you can do such a thing) for the worst.
I am baking him cookies now to take to him tomorrow. Think a good cup of coffee and some sweets & quality time for tomorrow.
I now think of all the times I have listened to the same stories over and over. And think that one day I will wish I could hear them again. But for now I'm going to enjoy every minute I can with him.
Surgery was cancelled for today due to not being off his blood thinner for long enough. Matter of fact my mother is the one that told him to not take them. The doctor or hospital never mentioned it.
Means another week of waiting and worrying of me. But I guess one was of looking at it is that it was not to be done today.
So next Wednesday we will going back. I have that drive down pat down and know exactly where I am going.
She said mom I am so worried about papa, he said he would never leave us. I replied yes I know sweetie, we never want the ones we love to leave us.
See my parents are looking for a miracle. And yes I've seen that happen.
My son got sick once while we were visiting my parents. And we took him to the emergency room. They told me that they needed to transfer him to another hospital. Which we did. They did a work up on him and found him to be very anemic. But the doctor told me that it was much worse than that. They had discovered that he has a hole in his heart. And would need open heart surgery later to correct this. He was 2 years old at that time. We followed closely with a child cardiologist for 4 years. It was decided in the summer while he was 5 that they would need to correct this. It is called an atrial septal defect.
They did many echo's of his heart and it was on tape. But when it came down to the last minute before his surgery they did another echo. And their was so sign of anything. The heart had been healed. Since this was a miracle (the doctors stated) they still wanted him to go to Chapel Hill NC to be observed and tested. They had no medical explanation for it other than a miracle.
So back to dad...mom says that dad will be healed. And like I told my daughter a little while ago. Who am I to say it is not so since I've had this happen to my son, her brother. I can not take that faith away from my parents.
I am hoping and wishing for the best but also preparing myself for the worst.
Life it is a strange thing at times. And who am I to take anyone's miracle away.
Dad I love you,
Shirley