What Cancer Cannot Do
Cancer is so limited....
It cannot cripple love.
It cannot shatter hope.
It cannot corrode faith.
It cannot eat away peace.
It cannot destroy confidence.
It cannot kill friendship.
It cannot shut out memories.
It cannot silence courage.
It cannot reduce eternal life.
It cannot quench the Spirit.
Author Unknown
Dad went to the Oncologist today to determine what exactly would take place and what treatment they would pursue.
Of course when I call him to see what was said he told me "I am going to die." Knowing him I said "we are all going to die you smartass, what did the Doctor say?"
The doctor basically told him that the type of Sarcoma (Lipo chondrosarcoma) that he has is probably one of the most rare cancers known. The odds of one getting this particular type is 1/1000. The chances of winning the lottery multiple times would be better than a person getting this type of cancer (yep...he should have been playing the lottery all of this time). The Dr. did say that there are only about 50 people (I am assuming adults but don't know for sure) in the US that have this type of cancer so he is a shoe in for the clinical trials that are offered.
The long and short of it is:
- Surgery on his thigh is pretty much a waste of precious time. The Dr. said that he would have to be completely healed before he could even be considered for the Clinical Trials. He also said that the tumor will be a good point of reference. It will allow them to keep an eye on it and see if it stops growing or starts shrinking after trying the meds.
- Biopsy on his lung is pointless. He doesn't have "Lung Cancer" he has sarcoma tumors in his lungs. That is pretty much a given so why put the stress and strain on his body to run tests to get the answer that they all pretty much know already.
- He will have to go through Chemotherapy. Yes he will lose his hair. How much? No one knows until it happens...I chuckle thinking of my Pops with no hair! I think he'll look cute though. If not, we'll get him one of those baseball hats that have the hair attached heeheehee.
- He will lose weight and have fatigue. Crap, does this mean that he's going to be grumpy at work all of the time? Great...I am buying a nerf gun this weekend, one sarcastic remark and he's getting it!!
- He has a terminal illness and will never be cancer free :-( This cancer never goes into remission.
- If all goes right, he will be around to drive us nutty for quite awhile!
I guess my new mission is become as educated as possible about Sarcoma!
In closing I can say that this hasn't killed his appetite any! We are meeting for chimichangas later! Whoo Hoo!!
I will update again after he decides what direction he wants to take and we can all take this unknown journey with him!
Have an awesome weekend!! Don't forget to spend time with those that you love!
Kim
Ugh. First off- Mr. Akey grumpy? NEVER. :) Hahaha. Second, I am in tears. This man was the only person that was there for me in a time of my life where I was so lost. So confused, so young. He kept me in line. At the time, I wasn't sure if I liked it so much, but now as an adult, I am not sure where I would be had I never been an employee of his.
ReplyDeleteJerry was like a father to me. This hits me so hard. He is by far one of the strongest men I know. I am in tears just thinking of him having to suffer any pain. He doesn't deserve it.
Jerry- you are in my prayers, and I thank you for being there for me.
Keri