MizBubble
08-24-2007, 01:34 PM
Hi all.
As some of my friends here on the DIS know, my dad has been battling melenoma for the past year. It started in his side and eventually spread to his hip. He's had surgeries and chemo, and after an emergency hip replacement in late June/ early July, we thought it was on the upswing. However, I just found out today that we've had very bad news from his tests on Monday. He had been complaining about pain in various parts of his body, but the doctor just upped his pain meds. Turns out it wasn't just pain. The cancer has now moved to his skull, neck, shoulders, both lungs, ribs, liver, and femur. The doctor said without treatment, he will likely make it to the winter holidays. With chemo, we would be adding 2-3 months. With experimental treatment, in the words of my dad, "we either strike out or get a home run." We're currently looking at ways to combine treatments, but I just don't know.
I'm just really in shock right now. Sure my dad and I haven't had the best relationship over the years, but he's still my dad and we've really made strides the past few years. In the past two years, I've lost my best friend to leukemia and my grandfather to Parkinson's and heart problems. I don't know if I can handle losing my dad too. Plus our dog, who is a very central part of the family, has congestive heart failure and has steadily been getting worse the past few months. I wish I could just catch a break somewhere. Add to that the VMK ban of ten years I received yesterday, and I feel like I'm on the verge of emotional collapse. I know I have to stay strong for my kids, but it's so tough. I'm only 21 and I feel like I've gone through so much more than most people my age. My mom always says life experience builds character, but couldn't they have spaced out the events some? I just don't know what to do. I wish I could get on VMK and distract myself, but even that's not an option. I just sit here and keep crying. I even went over and cried on my mom's lap like a little girl. I'm just at a loss.
So my fellow DISers and dear friends, if you could include my dad and our family in your prayers and thoughts, I would appreciate it more than I can say on here. I'm blessed to be part of such an amazing and supportive community. Thank you...
As some of my friends here on the DIS know, my dad has been battling melenoma for the past year. It started in his side and eventually spread to his hip. He's had surgeries and chemo, and after an emergency hip replacement in late June/ early July, we thought it was on the upswing. However, I just found out today that we've had very bad news from his tests on Monday. He had been complaining about pain in various parts of his body, but the doctor just upped his pain meds. Turns out it wasn't just pain. The cancer has now moved to his skull, neck, shoulders, both lungs, ribs, liver, and femur. The doctor said without treatment, he will likely make it to the winter holidays. With chemo, we would be adding 2-3 months. With experimental treatment, in the words of my dad, "we either strike out or get a home run." We're currently looking at ways to combine treatments, but I just don't know.
I'm just really in shock right now. Sure my dad and I haven't had the best relationship over the years, but he's still my dad and we've really made strides the past few years. In the past two years, I've lost my best friend to leukemia and my grandfather to Parkinson's and heart problems. I don't know if I can handle losing my dad too. Plus our dog, who is a very central part of the family, has congestive heart failure and has steadily been getting worse the past few months. I wish I could just catch a break somewhere. Add to that the VMK ban of ten years I received yesterday, and I feel like I'm on the verge of emotional collapse. I know I have to stay strong for my kids, but it's so tough. I'm only 21 and I feel like I've gone through so much more than most people my age. My mom always says life experience builds character, but couldn't they have spaced out the events some? I just don't know what to do. I wish I could get on VMK and distract myself, but even that's not an option. I just sit here and keep crying. I even went over and cried on my mom's lap like a little girl. I'm just at a loss.
So my fellow DISers and dear friends, if you could include my dad and our family in your prayers and thoughts, I would appreciate it more than I can say on here. I'm blessed to be part of such an amazing and supportive community. Thank you...