Re: Dad's Results at Dr.

[Guest guest]

Courage:

Getting confirmation of the worst case scenario sucks big time!

The good news is that the doctors must be hopeful about your dad's

ability to fight this or they would be going the surgery route right

from the get go. The fact that they are going to try to " shrink " it

via medicine and then do radiation as a double dose of security

sounds like they think they have a chance. My sister in law's dad

had prostrate surgery and has fared really well even now 3 years

later (he's actually returning from a 6 month visit to Italy

tonight!!). I recall my sister telling me that had the doctors felt

it was possible they would have tried the non-surgical approach for

her dad. That means the doctor must feel your father has an

opportunity to fight this without having to go through surgery!!

I also find your dad's spirit hopeful. He's willing to fight and I

believe that's far more than half the battle. The psychological

drive to get better and beat cancer has been the most vital component

for all the cancer survivors I know. It's amazing even now, when the

c-word is " new " and scary for your dad, he's determined to fight.

Also positive is your dad having you. You are awesome and I know

you'll be there being Wonderwoman for both your mom and dad (and

neglecting yourself horribly in the process unfortunately). You'll

come to know as much or more than any doctor or nurse taking care of

your father. He's blessed to have you.

We're all here to support you as your support all the others who need

you. What makes it easier is knowing that and your son is

there to love you in person.

Sending you strength and hope,

Abby

[Guest guest]

Jan:

Are you referring to Cryogenics? That's the science of freezing

cancerous cells usually in an attempt to remove them.

I was going to have that done when I was diagnosed with dysplasia.

(Thank goodness the condition righted itself after I got pregnant.)

I don't know much about it but I have read about how it's saved

lives. Don't know about its success against prostrate cancer.

Abby

[Guest guest]

Courage:

Leave it to you to find the humour amongst the bleakness. Bravo!!

The neurosurgeon my dad is seeing is much like your father's doctor.

To begin, he insinuated that my dad was 78 my dad was " on the cusp of

the life expectancy of most white males " . Actually, my dad turned 76

last Wednesday. No big deal but he presumably had reviewed my dad's

files at length and had all my dad's vitals and info. ready in

anticipation of our meeting. As well, the doctor told us that given

my dad's otherwise " shaky " medical history even going into the

surgery last August, how well he fared during his first surgery had

been fortunate. In fact, we had to remind him that going into that

surgery, my dad had never ever taken anything other than cough syrup

and some anti=inflammation prostrate medicine and that my dad was

healthy as a horse before this brain tumor struck him. Nevertheless,

this guy is the head of neurosurgery and when we got a second opinion

last August and then again in January and told the neurosurgeon at

another hospital who our first doctor had been, he looked at us as if

we all had holes in our head and even said, " Well, I can appreciate

your difficulty accepting your dad's prognosis but rest assured. Dr.

X is renown for his expertise in neurosurgery. " All things

considered that may be true but his bedside manner sucks large!!!

Good for you for resisting the urge to drink. I had my favorite

fruity wine (a big glass full) and it helped calm me down and I

actually got to sleep at 10 pm and it allowed me to sleep until now.

I know I'm up now but I probably would never have gotten to sleep at

all otherwise.

I think if you haven't got a second opinion and if you're not

comfortable with your dad's doctor you should get another one. You

need to feel comfortable with this and your dad is still able to get

around and seems to be in a " good place " in regards to this.

I'm still smiling over your eyebrow tattoo story and where they might

have ended up had you followed your first inclination to have a drink

tonight. The one " surprised " eyebrow you now created seems to be a

better alternative then right?

Thanks for your message Courage and for inspiring me to suggest to my

family that we examine the alternative of getting a second opinion

ourselves. I don't know if my dad will go for it but I'm going to

try anyway.

Most of all, thanks for getting me to smile. You and always

somehow remind me of the restorative powers in a smile.

Hope you're sleeping right now and that tomorrow is a better day for

you and yours.

Abby

[Guest guest]

Dear Courage:

I think you should get a second opinion. You may get a different diagnosis.

The line of treatment shuld be given by someone more competent! I am sorry

that this was positive for cancer, but it is definetelly something that must be

treated the best way possible. I am glad your dad does not have to undergo

surgery. My dad had prostate cancer many years ago. He got radiation therapy

and was fine, the cancer gone forever. He got check ups constantly the first

few years, and twice a hear after that. This is, fortunatelly, very curable.

I am sorry you have to worry and have the additional duties with your dad,

but I am sure you will have positive results. I am glad your dad is so

interested in continuing to get better.

If you go back for the second, or more opinions, make sure you translate to

your dad on the spot, so he can participate with the DR. I used to do that

with my parents, although they thought they understood everything. Sometimes

they misunderstand and will tell them that what the DR said is different from

what they were saying. At that point I would translate the question back to the

DR and have him explain the right answer to my parents. That way there was no

doubt and they had a more deep understanding, because the DRs tend to

elaborate more their answer. Just thinking of translating messes up my sintax

;-).

I am praying for all of you, especially your Dad. Much love and hugs,

Josie

[Guest guest]

Dear Courage,

I'm so sorry for the news you got on Monday.

From what you write I feel that the Drs. are optimistic. Great also

that your dad wants to fight. That's so important! I wish he doesn't

need to have surgery.

Your sadness and anger are perfectly understandable.

Hugs,

la

>Hi All,

>

>We got confirmation today that my dad does indeed have cancer. The

>ultra-sound showed a 4 1/2 " growth near where his prostate gland

>used to be and its causing a lot of pressure on my fathers bladder -

>hence the leaking.

>Treatment options are meds for now and then radiation if the meds

>don't do what they are supposed to do - get rid of testoserone and

>shrink the cancer cells. Dad was real quiet throughout the

>consultation with the Dr. and when asked if he had any questions Dad

>said he didn't.

>When we got home this morning I explained everything the doctor told

>him in my English/Portugues gibberish so that dad could really

>understand what was happening. I really hit it home that he has to

>take his meds - no forgetting - and that he didn't have to have

>surgery (for now) which he was very happy about. Told him to keep

>his spirits up as other than cancer, diabetes, horrendously painful

>varicose veins and circulation problems (forget the medical word for

>it! Alterior Slorisis or something like that?) he was in fine shape

>for a 72 year old! We both smiled at that one.

>Dad wants to fight this thing and said that he will have surgery if

>the meds or radiation don't work. I told him that we will all

>remain strong and fight it right along side him.

>I am very sad, angry as hell and exhausted. I can't imagine how Dad feels!

>Courage

>

>Please follow this link to learn more about Lewy Body Dementia

><http://www.lewybodydementia.org>http://www.lewybodydementia.org

>

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