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Wednesday, December 28, 2011

Diagnosis


My mom called me about 8am this morning.

The Oncologist came around this morning and had a diagnosis.

My dad has Stage 4 Lung Cancer.

It isn't good news, but it's what we were expecting.

Apparently, the doctor has not seen a case of lung cancer this bad when the patient isn't a smoker. Gee, thanks- that's comforting....

For right now, the plan is to finish radiation. After today's treatment, he has 7 more treatments.

Once the radiation is done, he will start chemotherapy.

There is a doctor down in Indianapolis who specializes in this type of lung cancer. My dad will be headed down to him in a few days for a second opinion and to see if there is any other sort of treatment that he could go through that wouldn't be offered here in Fort Wayne.

For right now, he has a couple goals.

1.) Go Home. In order to go home, he has to get his pain under control and be able to move around by himself. He is currently working with physical therapy to get his strength back and to work on simple tasks like walking, bending, and balance.

2.) Go back to work. Once he is able to move again, he wants to continue on with life. He wants to go back to work, attend family functions, and just go back to living normally. There is no reason he can't do these things if he can get the pain under control. Once he starts chemo, he can do the treatments as an outpatient and if he's feeling well enough, continue on with life as normal.

3.) Fight, fight, fight. My dad is only 56 years old. He wants to fight this. There is no cure. This will eventually take his life. But if his body responds well to treatment, it could give him another 1 to 5 years. He wants to live as long as he possibly can. He wants to see his grandchildren grow. He wants to experience life. He is not ready to give up just yet. He still has a lot of life left in him, and he's going to make sure he can live it!


As far as we know, the doctors have not given him a specific amount of time left. It's not good that the cancer is so far advanced. It's not good that it has spread as much as it has. He could have 6 months left or he could have years. He's got a lot of good things going for him, but the cancer is severe. We are trying to remain realistic about it, but also trying to hang on to hope. We are loving him with everything that we have and will support him and love him until the end.

Once again, thank you so much for your love and support. Thank you for your prayers. We are feeling them, and they are giving us strength to continue on. Please, continue to pray for the doctors as they are caring for him, pray for our family as we are making decisions, and pray most importantly, pray for my dad- for the pain to subside, and for his body to respond well to treatments.

18 comments:

Kristin said...

Praying for the doctors and even more so that your dad will get the pain management that he needs.

Erin said...

You all are in my thoughts. My daughter's teacher from last year was dagnosed with Stage 4 breast cancer at age 37. She has been in treatment for almost 6 months now and the spots in her liver and breast are gone and the spots in her bones are almost gone. So, there IS hope that at least some of the spots can be mae smaller or go away. Your dad has the right attitude and to me, that is a HUGE help!

Becky said...

So sorry to hear of this Jill. My dad is the same age. It's heartbreaking to think of a life taken so soon.

Jessie C said...

Wow. I am so sorry. :/ You are all in my thoughts!

Joy Starks said...

Dear Lord,

Please hold John in your hands and let him know the power of your people's prayers. Bless the entire family with patience, peace, and love.

Amen

Robin said...

praying for your dad. <3

Amy said...

Praying for your family, Jill <3

leah said...

Jill, giving hugs from afar. Not wanting to contaminate the air within John's breathing space. Love Erin's post, there is hope that the radiation and chemo will shrink some of this nastiness away.

Our 365 Days said...

That's so sad! He is still so young! I'm praying for him, and the rest of your family...I really hope he gets to go home and return to a life as normal as possible

jim said...

agrees with erin. My wife, John's sister in law, was diagnosed with
Stage 4 breast cancer 13 years ago at age 40. She never owned her cancer.It was not "Cheryl's cancer". She turned it over to a higher power. I have witnessed both the power of God and the unbelievable power of mind over matter. John believes in both and our family will only encourage positive thoughts and the power of prayer.

Avery Tales said...

I haven't stopped thinking about you guys and I'm praying for all of you. Your Dad is a fighter and I'm a believer that attitude is 90% of the battle. I'll pray for a miracle and believe it can happen.

Have you heard about Elisa & Nathan Bond? I heard about them on the Today Show. Their story is amazing. Here's a link to their blog: http://familybondingtime.blogspot.com/ If nothing else I think their story will provide hope and inspiration for your family.

Suzanne said...

Keeping your dad - and you - in my prayers, Jill.

Auntie Mip said...

"Against all hope in hope I believe...". Romans 4:18

While the news is not great, hope abounds. Having been an oncology nurse for newly 25 years I believe firmly in the power of hope. There are literally hundreds of clinical trials. In 1-5 years who knows what new medicine might be approved. I worked for a major biotech company for 7 years believe me when I say the pipeline is fulll of drugs all targeting lung cancers. Hope comes in so many ways...grab it when and where you can.

I had a thought tonight as I was logging in to check in on your dad. You see I am a complete stranger to you. I have no memory of how I came to your blog, but I do know it was because someone I know told me about Joshua. And it is because of Joshua that I continued to read and pray. Isn't it beautiful? So many of us here, joined in collective prayer for your family, for your daddy all because of Joshua. God bless your daddy. Thank you God for Joshua!

n. oliveira bard said...

praying...

Peach said...

Praying for a complete, supernatural healing.

Anonymous said...

God bless all of you. You are a brave, brace person. I've followed your blog for a while now. We are a CHD family too. I will continue to pray!

A Daft Scots Lass said...

Will be praying

Hazel Nut said...

I mean it when I say I am here for you. This is not easy at all and I wish I had something I could say to make it better. My Dad was 63 when he lost his battle last month, our Dads are both way to young to have this happen. I am praying for you and your family and especially your father.

Much, much love to you Jill.

 
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