just a note: dad started his chemo treatments today for his 3rd round of fighting cancer. Today, I got a fresh spirit in me and the uplifting power of healing. The last couple weeks, I have been so frustrated with the situation but after a long prayer today… I feel a zest that Team C will beat this cancer. It is hard to see a person we love struggle — eating something as simple of spaghetti and watching dad throw it back up. However, the power of love, faith, strength and hop is stronger than any fear and doubt. TEAM C RULES CANCER SUCKS AND WILL LOSE!!!!!
“Bad things do happen; how I respond to them defines my character and the quality of my life. I can choose to sit in perpetual sadness, immobilized by the gravity of my loss, or I can choose to rise from the pain and treasure the most precious gift I have – life itself.”
—
Walter Anderson
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You know, its funny how life is. This quote was sent to me via email today, March 20th. The same day that Dad starts his chemo treatment. These quotes that I periodically send out is coming from Thoughtful-Mind.com, which I am subscribe to.
The esophagus cancer might be winning the battle right now, but reinforcements are coming and Dad will win this war. Go Team C!!!!
Hi everyone!
We met with the Dr yesterday for dad. Chemo will be treatment. It will be an 8 week treatment. Two types of chemo. One type will be an IV – he will get once every other week for two hrs. The other chemo will be a pill. He will take it 5x a day the week of the IV chemo and 4x a day non IV week. This will continue for 8 weeks. Then repeat cscan. He will meet with his chemo dr on March 18th.
Update on my dad:
Friday, we were told he may not have cancer in the lungs. so my parents called his radiation dr and talked to him – his name is Dr. Skinner. He is a great dr who is always willing to explain things.
He said that dad does not have lung cancer. However, there is some abnormal spots (cells) in lungs but drs are not sure what it is yet.
He said the tumor on dad’s esophagus is about 1/3 the size of the entire esophagus. He said there are some lymph nodes mid chest area that are cancer. The lymph nodes in the jaw area is swollen which most likely means cancer but not necessary.
Dr said the best route will be chemo because that will hit all spots including areas of the lungs and lymph nodes in the jaw. how much/what types/ and what side effects — we will find out Monday March 10th as they are still looking into that.
The dr said dad’s type of cancer is a kind that comes and goes so it is normal that one moment my dad is cancer free and the next he is not.
MD Anderson just called Dad. All the doctors had that conference meeting and discuss what is the next course of treatment. They looked over the results again and they agree that the cancer has now moved into his lungs… probably a good reason why Dad has this constant cough. Furthermore, they said he is back in stage 4 cancer. I am not sure if that means his lungs, his esophagus or both.
Anyways, the plan is still go down to MD Anderson on March 10th and discuss the treatment options with us.
Edit: March 5, 2014 @ 9:45pm
I got clarification on the stage 4 part. Basically because the cancer moved to another organ, MD Anderson automatically classify it as Stage 4 cancer no mater where the cancer is at.