The dark shadow of...

Nov 2 08:37 UTC 2000

My dad entered chemotherapy today, and got the whole shebang: seven hours
worth of chemical injected, including standard cancer fighting toxins, a drug
to strengthen the calcium in his bones so they'll fight the tumors better,
and a protein inhibitor that's supposed to interrupt the signal that tells
his type of cancer to grow rapidly.  He's excited about that one.  He will
start losing his hair, again, shortly, so we're going to arrange another
family picture before it falls out (our last formal family picture was before
his hair fell out from the first round of chemo).  I suggested that he geta
picture with his brothers and sisters soon, too, but that may not be workable.

CAT Scans loom in the near future, as the medicals want to find every tumor
in his body.  We know that there are tumors in every vertebra and most likely
his femur;  we're hoping that it stays away from the organs, which is what
can kill you.  So far we appear to have gotten lucky.  Five years on the
spine, and not a hint elsewhere.  

Dad has not been looking forward to the prospect of another round of chemo.
He thought he had it licked five years ago, and he isn't anxious to relive
it.  I'm concerned about the quality of what life he has left;  I'd prefer
him not to have to spend it worn out and always tired.  The time frame is
indeterminate, and depends greatly on how the tumors respond.  A number of
months seems likely.  I guess I'll have to get used to seeing him hairless
again.  He has been seeing several clients a day, and I imagine he'll try to
keep that up throughout the treatment.  We're actually planning on going to
the UM-Penn State game on the 11th to keep up our streak of attending a game
a year, probably through the use of handicap seating.  Family trips to Grand
Rapids (maternal family for thanksgiving) and Toronto (paternal family for
Christmas) loom, and I'm suddenly looking forward to them.

response 2 of 4:

Nov 2 14:40 UTC 2000

Dammit. Why can't they cure this?? Cancer's been around for so long.

::hugs to Stephen::

response 4 of 4:

Nov 2 19:31 UTC 2000

The family is handling it well.  Mum is quite stressed out, but she's
balancing quite a bit.  The support we've received from the community has been
phenomenal, to the point of people driving him to and from radiation and other
people preparing meals to that Mum won't have to.  It's been heartwarming.
In the meantime, it affords me new appreciation for what I have.

No reason to panic just yet, Trish.  Things will hang around for a while
longer.  We're encouraged just by the sheer number of weapons they have at
their disposal.