I do not think anyone is ready to hear the big C word. I wasn’t 6 years ago. There are certain things that change a person’s life. You got Cancer… still echos in my mind from time to time. However, I was not ready to hear that my dad had cancer. One day, you see life in one way and a few seconds later, life is different. Amazing how such events not only change your life but affects so many others. I am truly blessed by all the support and love from so many people through this journey my family is taking. I am humbled by the love. I truly thank you from the bottom of my heart and know that it does make a difference in my family’s life

the next few weeks are going to be long… dad is really not feeling well and having a lot of side effects. Mom, Adam and me are doing the million things we normally do and try to share the load of taking care of things with dad and around the house. I pray for strength, courage and a sense of calmness. We are all tired but pushing forward. We are family and we will hold each other together in the darkest times and laugh with each other on the brightest times. Dr said the last few weeks of treatment was going to be the worst. We are on the downward hill of treatment. Lord, watch over my family and carry us as we know only You Lord can give us grace and heal my dad

Dad got sick little bit ago. It was red / slimy fluids and none of his medication or his food is red color. We called the MD Anderson on-call doctor and it happens to be Dad’s one doctor. Mom explained everything to the doctor. The doctor is concern, but at this current point, it is understandable. Dad’s esophagus is “very very raw” and would only take a few drops of blood to make it a red color. Plus, since it was red / slimy fluids and not just straight blood, everything is OK for now.

Now, the doctor did tell us what to look for such as him continuing getting sick, high fever, low blood pressure or black stools, we will be going to the MD Anderson ER. Mom is going to continue to take Dad’s blood pressure, but it is borderline on having to take him to the ER.

Dad feels like crap and is trying to rest in his lounger.

Have a blessed Palm Sunday.

For about a week now, Dad has been getting his nutrients through his feeding tube only.  He is no longer eating by mouth.  In fact, he can barely swallow his medication.  The doctors is stressing to him that he needs to try to continue to swallow because those muscles will actually forget how to function and that means a longer recovery for dad in regards him eating by mouth again.

I am sitting there eating supper tonight and Dad is sitting across helpless. The food smelled great, but he couldn’t eat it… it made me sad.  The radiation may end on April 4^th, but Dad has to wing himself back onto solid foods which will take at least 2-3 weeks or more afterwards.

As far as Dad, he is feeling really lousy the past couple days and I have a gut feeling he is going to get worst.  Please keep in your prayers.

“The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.”

― Martin Luther King, Jr.

Dad has requested all donations be giving to Relay For Life of Alvin/Manvel. We are “Team C”. Our goal is to raise $1,000 by Friday, April 12, 2013. We have less than 22 days before the big event!!!

 
[ujicountdown id=”Results from Doctor” expire=”2013/04/12 18:00″]
 

Will you help me in raising this money?

http://tinyurl.com/bhytpxk

Dennis is at his radiation appointment and he is really tired today.  Some days are ok for him and then some days all he wants to do is sleep.  I read him the comments that was left in the guestbook and it brought a smile to his face.  The Dr.’s are saying the next few weeks are going to be hard so I would like everyone to write in on his guestbook if all possible.  He still is wanting to help me around the house but he just gets to weak so I try not to ask.  He lets the dog out from time to time and sometimes he goes and get the mail.  But other than that he sleeps or watches TV.  That is enough for now.  He is straight on his feeding tube.  Nothing by mouth but liquids, and that is getting difficult.  I feed him his liquid food and fluids by his tube 4 times a day.

Repost from Facebook….

Hello everyone,

I know I haven’t been on here and let you know what is going on for a while but things are very busy around here and a little on the hectic side. Try to get everything done some days is challenging, The kids have been trying to keep people updated on our family but as you all know that have facebook only there friends are getting the info unless I am friends with them also. So since things are moving so fast for me and trying to keep everyone informed, I decided to have my brilliant computer geek son Adam create a blog so that everyone could see if you are interested. If you go on the blog you can also leave comments to Dennis and the family if you desire. The address to go to is www.dac24.com You can link this to facebook, twitter whatever you have. We are putting photo’s and updates daily. We are still adding new features so keep checking up on the site. We read all the messages to Dennis on a daily bases. So tell your friends to look at the blog and say a prayer and the Cunningham family would be deeply appreciative.

He hasn’t worked since Feb. 26th but I know the men at United (Continental Airlines) are keeping him in their hearts and prayers. He has 13 more times for his Chemo and Radiation and then he will get a little break then on May 7 he will get a PET Scan done and this is the BIG one it will tell us if the radiation and the Chemo did anything. Of course he can still take Chemo but he will never be able to take radiation in that area again. Then on the 8th of May he will get a GI Endoscope, then on the 9th of May we find out all the results. So make sure you look on the blog on the 9th or 10th of May. Of course everything I just told you is also on the blog in the countdown area.

I hope you enjoy the Blog!! Remember www.dac24.com

So Friends and Family please continue to say prayers for Dennis and our family even though we feel God’s healing hands on us continuously, each one of your prayers that are said is one of your healing hand on our shoulders also.

Kathy

So, I am getting ready for work and mom screams bloody murder. I, of course, go running and to come find out, Dad blacked out while taking his shower. I was able to pull Dad up out of the shower.

Thank goodness I was still home as Mom would not have been able to pull him up. Dad is getting weaker and weaker… please pray for him.

—

Update:
3/18/2013 4:00pm
We found out Dad blacked out because he was extremely dehydrated and all he needed was some fluids.

We spent more than 8 hours in the cancer ER tonight. Had to wait a while and then they called him back and put him in a bed. However, he was in the hall. Then he finally was able to get a room. They did blood test and culture on blood to see if there is an infection, chest xray, urine test and dr had to look at him. Early in the day, Chemo Dr in clear lake did not like the fact he had a 101.5 last weekend, 100.5 on Monday and a 100.8 today. This is why they sent us Down to main MD Anderson er.

Plus, dad is really flushed, nausea and fatigued. Rather be safe than sorry. Blood test on white blood count OK. They r going to do a culture on it but it will take a couple days for results. Urine test OK. Dr said she did hear a little whizzing in lungs which is why she ordered x ray. his oxygen level was a little low. After looking at xray, dr is sending us home w antibiotics. Possible beginning of pneumonia.

Just got home a few minutes ago… now heading to bed.

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