Prayers for My Father

Sumwear said:

Thanks for the prayers, guys. My dad isn't as tired as before but he still is a bit lethargic. Talks more softly but is more aware. We are told it's the pain medication that is making him act and talk so lethargically. He is watching TV, joking, and walking a bit more around the house.

I'm actually doing okay. When we were in the ER last week, I went through a brief this is it moment, and that was the way the doctor interpreted an MRI reading. That the tumor sliced through his brain because of how things shifted in his head. I was immediately thinking about hospice care, the funeral services, just getting him out of the hospital so he could spend whatever final moments he had at home. It turned out the readings showed what they did because it was due to the swelling of the brain and not because there was a tumor.

So that he is able to be at home - even with the cancer cells in his head - I consider a blessing. Small victories.

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Sumwear said:

Some unfortunate news.

We had to take our dad to the hospital over the weekend. He was completely immobile on the left side of his body. His face didn't droop, he was communicating, but we didn't think it was a stroke. Plus, my father being a very stubborn man: refused to go to the hospital when we first noticed it.

We were informed that it may be brain swelling due to my dad being off steroids, but my sister got the full story today. He has some small tumors on the left side of his dura. It's something that can not be operated on. We also noticed his right eye was was swelling. Turns out there is some tumor activity occurring as well. He also has a small hemorrhage, and the neurosurgeon really doesn't want to operate as it will further put stress on his body. The other problem is he has to take aspirin because he has a stent. We will have to keep a really close eye on him.

He still has a chance. We were informed that the immunotherapy lets the bad things happen before the good kicks in. A delayed trigger of sorts. He could also still receive a sort of radiation treatment that treats the whole brain. The neurosurgeon did say that this isn't the end, they are going to exhaust every measure at their disposal, but we should begin planning for the worst.

This Wednesday, when he comes from the hospital, we will have to run him up with regards to the situation at hand, but he will have to inform us on other things as well.

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Sumwear said:

Hello, folks.

Unfortunately, I have some somber news. Still not the end, a very, very small window of hope, but the tumors in my dad's brain is expanding and advancing. We spoke to the neurosurgeon and she said the radiation will keep it where it's at, but it probably won't kill it off or even decrease. We still have to wait for the radiation team and oncologist to give us further details.

It's honestly not looking too good. This is the first time I'm actually thinking there is nothing else medical science can do. I will be away from the forums. I will concentrate on my new job, spending these days with my dad, and whatever comes, comes.

Merry Christmas, guys. Happy Holiday. Happy New Year. Take care.

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