codiie

Hello everyone, well I made it down to Californina on Sunday and came back late last night.. it was a quick trip but a good one. Spent lots of time with my mom and dad... Dad was looking the same, so that was an ease off of me. For some reason I pictured he would look different.. He is still on oxygen from the collapsed lung.. he will not go anywhere where he would have to get out of the car, its a pride thing.. We went from Indio all the way back to Palm Springs on the back roads through other towns like Rancho Mirage, Desert Palm ect.. it was such a nice drive and very very warm. My Mom, Sister and I went to one of the casino's on Monday night, and I won some money, that was really cool.. Then came Tuesday, and the short time left went way too fast. so we left them at 11am and flew out at 130pm.. when we got back to SeaTac it was soo foggy and cold.. got to our car and called them to let them know we made it safely.. Then we got the best news of all.. Dad does have the 3cm cancer tumor in his lung but..... his lymph nodes are all clear, no sign of cancer.. what a relief, and thanks to all of your prayers things have worked out better than anyone hoped. so thank you all for your support and prayers.. Hugs to everyone Oh here is a link to my photo bucket page with pics of my trip and my parents.. couldnt get just the pictures to work sorry s32.photobucket.com/albums/d17/codiie/trip%20to%20California

Well, dad is still in the hospital, not getting any better. He cannot get his oxygen count above 85% on his own.. with the oxygen he gets up to 93%.. He is seeing a lung expert tomorrow... dont know why he is not healing.. his breath is very short and he runs out of breath really fast.. then he starts coughing as well.. It was confirmed with the biopsy that it was cancer, just dont know the stage right now.. I guess they are more worried about the lymph node biopsy, because witht he one in his lung, they can operate, and viola' thats gone.. so now another wait and see game.. ugh dont know how you all did this.. still no confirmed date on when to leave.. still hoping for next sunday.. Hugs Sandy

Well dad had one of his biopsy, they are doing 2 I guess, todays was the lung, next week will be the lymph nodes.. well after the biopsy, his lung was not closing up fast enough, so air leaked into his chest cavity.. the have a tube in to help get the air out, and his lung did colapse.. just one more thing for him to endure.. he is staying over night in the hospital to make sure his lung seals back up.. the hospital is so full, he has to stay in the procedure room.. that is so sad... But on a good note, at our hospital, we have a special needs fund, that we always raise money for and it is used for the hospital employees during times of need... Well one of my coworkers told them my story and today I was given the gift of $500.00 for a ticket and expenses to go see my dad... This was so over welming, I just broke down and cried.. my sister also has companion flight discounts and it looks like we may go down together around the 18th of this month.. (Oh, with my parents blessings) My stress level has gone down a lot, still worried, but much better now.. Thank you all so much for your prayers and well wishes, they really do help, and look what they did for me... what a wonderful place to be a part of... Hugs to you all

Morning, all your stories are so wonderful and the outcomes give me lots of hope.. I would really love to see my dad.. that would probably ease most of my fears and anxiety. But as of this morning, they said they dont want any of us kids to come down. Which breaks my heart, I want to do those things with him and once he starts treatment, he will not feel like that.. I know that may be selfish, I want to defy them and go anyways... What would you all say, how did you feel about that kind of thing.. I pray and hope he will pull through this, with all my heart, but what if he doesnt then I lost my last opportunity to see him healthy and in good spirits... ugh... so am I selfish, or am I thinking in the right direction.. at this point I am so confused at what to do... Again thank you for all you guys are doing for me... this is such a wonderful place...

well the news is not good, his lymph nodes are all enlarged, he is getting a biopsy on Thursday, to see what stage and how far along it is.. I am writing this as I am crying, this is so hard to take, I really want to see him before he goes through all the radiation and chemo, I want to take a walk with him, go golfing (his favorite sport), talk to him.. with this recession, I have no savings to get a ticket... I am just distraught over it all.. Please Please keep him in your prayers, he and I could use them right now.. I know I shouldnt look at the worst of it all, but I deal with people with cancer everyday and see what happens and what you all go through.. It is very hard to stay strong, I have a hard enough time with the patients, I get so close to them all... Thank you all, you are wonderful Sandy

Well new News for today... They got a call about an appointment with the surgeon on 1-06-09, Being as their dr told them, that they would not do surgery if the cancer had spread, so they are taking that as a good sign... I am hoping as well... thanks for all your well wishes and prayer, you have helped me through this, and have given me hope... Have a Happy New Year....

Well, dad had his appointment on Wednesday, and it is confirmed he has cancer, so far the lump in his lung that was detected is only 3cm. He had his PET scan today, and we will have to wait until either Monday or Tuesday for the results.. I do feel better now that the initial shock has gone, but still very sadden over this. When growing up, my dad and I were to alike, so we were always at odds, or just didnt talk to each other much.. I got married and moved out at 18.. things were okay, but not very close.. I had my first daughter at 22, and after that things got so much better, then when my daughter was about 9 months, he had a small heart attack... I turned out good, and since then he has been the picture of health, always active and doing things, my mom and him are avid golfers they retired about 9 yrs ago and have been in California ever since.. come up for summer visits.. We have been close ever since the heart attack, which is only 16 short years... So I am keeping my fingers, toes and everything else crossed in hopes that that was the only tumor in his body.. Does anyone know if they tell you anything at all after the PET scan, or do you have to wait till the dr appt..? Just curious.. thanks everyone.. you are a very inspiring bunch of people...

Thank you all for your support, its very hard.. I will let you all know what happens at the drs tomorrow, he is also getting some kind of scan, cant remember the name of it... I am glad I found this board too.. hopefull I can get him on it as well... Thanks again Sandy

They have pretty much told him he has cancer, will be going into the dr for further testing on wednesday... I am very very close to my dad, I dont know how to deal with this, what are ways to make it through with out going insane...?