Hey guys, I think I mentioned to a few of you before that my Dad was going through some tough times with cancer. If I haven't told you what was going on, here's basically what has happened:
Dad developed cancer last year. They tried chemotherapy and it helped but didn't get rid of it, so they operated on him. The operation was successful, and he had two colostomies put in.
We thought everything was fine, and then he developed liver cancer. They originally said that it was the kind where they could remove that part of his liver and it would regenerate, but instead they decided to do more chemotherapy.
Well, weeks went by, and the chemo didn't help. Didn't hurt, but it didn't do anything to the cancer.
Today, they said that his cancer has spread to pretty much everywhere in his lower stomach area, and that there's nothing more they can do. Operating on him would be useless since it's spread so much. They will continue to do chemotherapy to try to help him out, but as far as fixing it, it's not going to happen.
So all the grief and trouble we've gone through trying to make my dad better has gone to waste. The doctor didn't give him a life expectancy, but now we can pretty much say that it's only a matter of time. What I understand is that if the liver fails, his brain could shut down.
It's really hard to think about, especially since this month I'll be in the western US for four weeks. This could be my last week to spend with him if...well...it happens during my trip. I'm praying not, I'm hoping that I'll be able to come home in June and he'll still be here watching sports and telling me game show trivia. I'm really hoping so.
Please, if you get the time, keep my dad and my family in your prayers. It'll really help, no matter what happens.
Please read the updates in the comments, but Dad passed away on 7/24/10 at about 5:30 AM.
I know he's at peace and am glad he isn't suffering anymore. He was 67 years old, and was a great man.
:C I've had to watch two very
I'll be thinking of you guys <3
...
All of you are in my prayers <3
oh Quad.. I'm so sorry. This
You're all in my prayers and thoughts.
Quad that's so horrible, I
Dad's in good spirits, that's
Thanks, everyone. It really means a lot to me.
Oh Quad Im so sorry
That's good to hear he's
Don't worry about it Quad, s'what we do! C:
Im glad he is in good
May the Lord watch over you both and your family.
Were always here for you quad.
You all will be in my prayers
this... ah ;-; bes wishes to
ah ;-;
bes wishes to you, and your family, quad
I'll be thinking good
<3
We're all here for you, always.
I remember us talking about
You will both be in my thoughts. I wish him so well, love. And you as well.
*offers hugs*
I'll send up a prayer for
Maybe I can flag it as 'urgent' ;;
*hugs to all*
I'll keep you and your family
Thank you all. Its times
If you were wondering about the photo above -
I took Dad across Mobile Bay to Spanish Fort, AL. He had wanted a hamburger for a long time so we picked up some fast food and stopped at this little visitor's center that looks like a brick fort. It was windy but the meal was really good.
We did a little shopping afterward. I took him to Bass Pro Shops so I could pick up a few camping supplies for my trip. They have a laser shooting gallery that we love to play, and my dad is ridiculously good at it. He'll score in the 400's and I usually score around 250. After that, we went to World Market. He didn't buy anything but he likes to look at all the stuff there.
I'm glad that I'm writing down what happened that day, I don't know if I'll ever forget it, but I wanted to spend time with him since he had been stuck at home for so long, and I know he really enjoyed the trip.
Friday both my mom and I are off from work, so we're thinking about doing something together. It's a shame our money situation hasn't been that great (we don't have as much to spend because of Dad having to retire), but I know that anything we do will be fun and meaningful.
Sigh...I really want to write a little, but I don't want it to become vent writing...
Also, this song has been playing in my head all day. Don't know if it has any meaning but I really like listening to it.
Keeping you and your whole
Ugh, I'm sorry, I don't know
*HUGSHUGSHUGSHUGSHUGS*
Quad... ;_; *Hugstight*
I'm truly sorry to hear this,
I'm truly sorry to hear this, deary. You and he are in my thoughts. <3 -huggle-
There's something about your father's eyes. When I looked at the pic above, I saw something.
I don't know what it was, but I started to cry. ;;
I'm in tears myself. I'm so
You and your father are in my prayers. ♥
Quad, I wish you... I don't
As said before, your family and yourself are in my heart. I wish that you can be happy with the time left.
I really don't know what to
As you might have noticed, we're all here for you. I wish only the best for you and your family, Quad.
*hugs tight*
Awful... I´m so sorry for
I'm so sorry, Quad, I really
Your dad and your whole
Waaaaaaah Quad.
Forest FAQ
Praying for your dad
There's no way to express this through smileys...
Your father is in my thoughts
*Hugs* I'll keep your dad and
I apologize for this, but I
We talked earlier tonight about the worst case scenario, and we've decided that if Dad does pass while I'm on my trip, that I'm going to stay out there and finish my course instead of being sent home.
That means that these could be the last three days I get to spend with my Dad. I'm leaving early Monday morning, and will be gone for four weeks. There's no telling what will happen during that time.
It's hard. It's really hard. I wish there was another way around it, but I gotta get this trip done. I mean %@#^ I just spent $2,500 on fees and tuition to go, and if I don't go now then I'll have to put off my graduation.
Dammit, they're saying Dad not even make it to my graduation. The %^@#ing doctor said he might not even make it to his birthday this month. We don't know when.
Well...I hope he is still here when I get back. My parents want to go on a trip in June to a reservation in northern Alabama. I hope they get to do so, I really hope Dad gets to enjoy a couple of days on a vacation before the time comes.
It really scares me though, thinking that I might get a phone call while I'm out in the western US, and that there's no way I would be able to go home in time to be there.
Auruaagh I wish there was no such thing as cancer. It's done terrible things to our family, why does it have to end like this? What would it be like waking up and Dad's not eating eggs, asking me to get the dishwasher, being himself? What would it be like coming home and he's not there?
Dammit, I'm sorry, I can't do this. It tears me apart just writing it down.
I have to enjoy Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. There's no reason for me not to.
Oh, damn, that has to be
I wish I could think of something to say...
I wish the best of luck for
Yeah, mom called me last
*hugs*
My deerest Quad ...I don't
♥ ♥
♥
Quad Im really,really
I know the situation of knowing that this will happen,but not knowing when is something that is constantly on your mind.But try to think on the happy memories that you and your father shared,remember his smile and his laughter.
This is based on my belief as a Christian is that when someone dies. We are separate from seeing them with our eyes. Yet we can feel their prescence around us. Kinda like we now God is around but we cant see Him but we know He is there And then when we die and go to heaven its like we finally get to see them even though they never really left spiritually in the first place.
I hope I did not step over any boundaries.
But my heart goes out to you,and your family,and you will always be in my thoughts and prayers.
7/12/10 - Well, Dad just got
Well, Dad just got his latest test results back and, as we feared, the medicine hasn't done anything. His cancer has infected more of his organs, and the doctors said that there was nothing more they could do. The chemotherapy has made him feel like total crap, and didn't do anything anyway.
So now the final decision is "Quality over Quantity". They're going to give him pain medication but otherwise they're not going to do any more for his cancer. Dad wants us to just forget about the cancer and enjoy him as if it's not going on.
So that's what we're doing now. I wish there was better news, but quite frankly, we haven't had any since he got the cancer. While everything has become really tough for me and my family, I will try my best not to let it affect Quad or my writing.
It really helps talking about it here. You guys are some of the closest friends I've ever had. Even classmates of mine are more like acquaintances to me. That's why I'm letting you guys know.
I don't know you very well
*hug* I wish I knew what to
I wish I knew what to say. I guess I can only hope that the quality:quantity ratio is the best one possible for all of you in this situation.
I wish all the happiness in
I wish I could say something
Don't dwell on it, Quad. Do as you plan to do and as your father wishes. It's really the best course of action, I think. Enjoy your time with him. Spend the days smiling and laughing. You and your family's in my thoughts and prayers. <3
I wish I knew what to say. I
I think you're doing the right thing, though.
*Hugs tight*
My grandmother has terminal
-squeezy hugs-
*hugs* ~
(No subject)
-deer nuzzles and hugs-
Even when it affects your
Feel free to act how you feel !!
And ... Big "Huggle" !