2nd Go Around
Dad was born on April Fool's Day and it's sorta been down hill ever since. If I've ever wondered where I got klutziness, it's from dad, there's no doubt in either of our minds. The man's a walking disaster waiting to happen. For someone who's got 3 degrees on the wall, sometimes I shake my head at the things that happen to him. Is it bad luck or is it self inflicted, sometimes it's both. For example, he was driving home from work on day and had a blow out on the spare in his trunk. It blew his trunk clean off! He made the news and was pretty proud of himself. He's done silly things like putting a string of Christmas lights in the microwave to make them more pliable and easy to hang. What he didn't count on was practically burning down the house when they caught fire. That's the year we call, "the new appliance Christmas". I won't even tell you how many times he's sunk his boat, just don't ask, it's not pretty.
Back in 1989 my father had all of the lymph nodes removed from his neck due to malignant cancer. He went though a couple of rounds of radiation and he has stayed cancer free. That was, till this last week. For 3 months he's found a small amount of blood in his urine, just a little and no pain to speak of or any other symptoms. He contacted his urologist and made an appointment. He went through a couple of tests and the doctor found a tumor on his bladder the size of a thumb nail.
Wednesday morning, Mom and I checked Dad into the hospital to have the tumor removed. Everything went according to plan, the tumor and surrounding tissue was removed and he spent the night in the hospital due to some bleeding and an enlarged prostate. Late Wednesday night the doctor had the nurses do a chemo flush of his bladder to kill any cancerous cells that might still be floating around after his procedure. Radiation is not an option when dealing with bladder cancers. He had zero pain with his procedure, which amazes me. He says it's because he has a good doctor, I say it's because of the drugs. He was released on Thursday and went home to sleep in his own bed that night.
The diagnosis and prognosis? He had a superficial tri-cell carcinoma removed from the right lower part of his bladder. There's an 75-80% chance of another tumor coming back, if it's caught early it will be removed, via the same method. If another tumor appears after that, they remove the bladder as a precaution. His doctor wants to see him every 3 months for observation. He is in great spirits and feeling optimistic. Actually, he was happy they didn't cut his wiener off.
Why my Dad? Why twice? He's a good man and doesn't deserve this again.
Back in 1989 my father had all of the lymph nodes removed from his neck due to malignant cancer. He went though a couple of rounds of radiation and he has stayed cancer free. That was, till this last week. For 3 months he's found a small amount of blood in his urine, just a little and no pain to speak of or any other symptoms. He contacted his urologist and made an appointment. He went through a couple of tests and the doctor found a tumor on his bladder the size of a thumb nail.
Wednesday morning, Mom and I checked Dad into the hospital to have the tumor removed. Everything went according to plan, the tumor and surrounding tissue was removed and he spent the night in the hospital due to some bleeding and an enlarged prostate. Late Wednesday night the doctor had the nurses do a chemo flush of his bladder to kill any cancerous cells that might still be floating around after his procedure. Radiation is not an option when dealing with bladder cancers. He had zero pain with his procedure, which amazes me. He says it's because he has a good doctor, I say it's because of the drugs. He was released on Thursday and went home to sleep in his own bed that night.
The diagnosis and prognosis? He had a superficial tri-cell carcinoma removed from the right lower part of his bladder. There's an 75-80% chance of another tumor coming back, if it's caught early it will be removed, via the same method. If another tumor appears after that, they remove the bladder as a precaution. His doctor wants to see him every 3 months for observation. He is in great spirits and feeling optimistic. Actually, he was happy they didn't cut his wiener off.
Why my Dad? Why twice? He's a good man and doesn't deserve this again.
posted by Kristin at 6:54 AM
9 Comments:
I wish I had some answers for you, honey. I'm so sorry though. I'll thinking of you and your dad.
One day at a time. That's all you can do. Give my best to your dad. He sounds like a great guy.
good grief. i'm so, so sorry. i wish i could give you a big hug.
like zelda said, one day at a time. sometimes just a moment at a time.
Sounds like your dad kept a good outlook & spirit throughout this entire ordeal which is the best prescription there is. I'll keep him in my prayers.
I dont know, Kristin. We lost my uncle to cancer this Fall, and someone dear to our hearts this weekend. And yet my aunt has had it twice and is just trudging on along. It's baffling. Cancer's a bitch.
I don't have any answers for you. I think of you often and continue to send positive vibes to you and your father. Love you.
I'm really sorry about your dad. You're in my thoughts and prayers. I'll be sure and light a candle for him.
I'm so sorry about your Dad, I hope he is up and around and back to normal soon. Call me if you need an ear.
Love ya : )
whoops, anonymous is me!
~Brighton~
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