sharyn Posted September 23, 2004 Share Posted September 23, 2004 I am so sorry I have been away for a while, things are not well with Daddy and although I have been on checking the boards occassionally, I have not been able to respond, due to lack of knowing what to day anymore. Daddy was dealt three horrible blows in the past three weeks.... 1. Cancer appeared in the Esophogus 2. He had a small stroke 3. He now has a brain tumor I am physically and mentally ill over all of this and can't believe how fast all this occured. I am ANGRY at the oncologist as Daddy just had a PET Scan three weeks ago and they said all was fine (other than the new throat cancer) and then two weeks later they say oops Brain Met... now, apparently Brain mets don't show up on a PET which was news to me. So, although I was devastated by the throat cancer, I was relieved to know it was lurking no where else and then WHAM... hit again. Anyway, Daddy is home now, I am taking him to Yale New Haven Hospital tomorrow as they feel he should have the Gamma Knife procedure. So we are meeting with the Radiation Onc and the Neurosurgeon tomorrow. He is half the man he was a month ago, so skinny and weak... he is on decadron now for his brain met and his appetite is increasing, so I am hoping he will gain a few pounds. Mommy is running ragged taking care of his every need. Tomorrow night they will stay at my house so I can take care of HER for a change... This is by far the hardest thing I have ever gone through.... Sharon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
natalie Posted September 23, 2004 Share Posted September 23, 2004 Sharon, I am so sorry. To have all those right after another...it's just got to have drained you emotionally. Your father is a true fighter. You are in my thoughts and prayers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elaine Posted September 23, 2004 Share Posted September 23, 2004 Sharyn, Thinking of you and your dear parents. I am sorry you are struggling right now. It's a good sign when they suggest the gamma knife. I will continue to send good thoughts your way! elaine Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MJ Posted September 23, 2004 Share Posted September 23, 2004 sharon, i'm so sorry to hear about everything you have been going through. don't worry about not posting regularly. you have so much going on that it's more than understandable. i'm glad to see that the decatron is increasing your father's appetite. since he wants to eat, give him plenty of really good food! the gamma knife procedure seems to be excellent when dealing with one or a few brain mets (very few, if any, side effects) -- there are lots of posts about that on this site alone. the stroke may have been facilitated by the brain met, i believe (i think paddy's husband went through that), so i'm praying that the gamma knife procedure will take care of that. it's very sweet of you to have your parents over so that you can help take care of your mom too. hang in there. my thoughts are with you and your family. God bless, mj Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NellW Posted September 23, 2004 Share Posted September 23, 2004 Oh Sharyn, What an onslaught of blows all at once! Keeping you and your mom and dad in my prayers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Donna G Posted September 23, 2004 Share Posted September 23, 2004 Wow, so sorry , this is such a hard time . I hope you can get back to us on how the treatment for the brain mets went. Hope you guys turn the corner and things go well. Donna G Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
-Cheryl- Posted September 23, 2004 Share Posted September 23, 2004 Sharon, I am so sorrry about your Dad. It is true, it is the hardest thing one could every do, besides taking care of a terminally ill child. My thoughts and prayers are with you. Cheryl Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ry Posted September 24, 2004 Share Posted September 24, 2004 Sharyn~ I am so sorry to hear your dad is having a hard time. Wishing you all the best. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don Wood Posted September 24, 2004 Share Posted September 24, 2004 Sharon, I am so sorry. My prayers are with you all. Don Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
K and Kids Posted September 24, 2004 Share Posted September 24, 2004 Sharyn, My thoughts and prayers are with you. The past two weeks or so have been a similar rollercoaster ride for my Dad. Your parents are so blessed to have you with them through all of this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elnodel Posted September 24, 2004 Share Posted September 24, 2004 Dear Sharon, So sorry to hear of the additional difficulties -- but let's hope that Yale NH takes care of the brain mets right away. I knew that PET scans are not reliable for brain mets -- Len had to have a brain MRI AFTER the PET scan to make sure that there was nothing there. So the oncologist may genuinely NOT have known. Not that that's much comfort for you. Glad to hear that his appetite is returning. And if the gamma knife takes care of the met, and you can get the esophagus under control, you may be able to start again. We'll be thinking of you during this whole period -- don't worry about posting but do let us know what's going on WHEN you have time. Your first priority is taking care of your dad, then of your mother and yourself! Keeping my fingers crossed for you all.... Ellen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lilgna Posted September 24, 2004 Share Posted September 24, 2004 Im so sorry that things aren;t well for you now, I will certainly keep you and yours in my prayers, I didn't know that a PET scan did not show brain mets, I am so surprised , I have never been told that. I have brain ct.s I guess that would show as well as a MRI? Good thing we have each other to learn from...... Prayers and Peace Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paddy Posted September 24, 2004 Share Posted September 24, 2004 Dear Sharon, I do hope the gamma knife might be an answer to the brain met problem. Your parents are so lucky to have you looking after them, you are obviusly such a loving and caring daughter. You and your family will be in my thoughts.Paddy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stand4hope Posted September 24, 2004 Share Posted September 24, 2004 Oh, Sharon, this has been a sucky day for you, hasn't it? My heart goes out to you in the biggest way. I know how it feels when you think things can't get any worse - and then . . . . You will hopefully see a very quick change in your dad with the decadron. When it does what it's suppose to do, it is dynamite. My husband's headache on dx disappeared in less than 24 hours, after he got the decadron, and he took it again when he was so flattened from taxotere/carboplatin, and it worked then, too. All my prayers are headed your way! Love, Peggy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MayFrog Posted September 24, 2004 Share Posted September 24, 2004 Sharyn, So sorry you and your dad and mom are having such a rough time of it...my thoughts go out to you. Best wishes, Mary Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Melinda Posted September 24, 2004 Share Posted September 24, 2004 (((SHARYN))) I have been wondering how you and your dad were doing... I am so sorry that all of this is hitting you at once. It is truly overwhelming... I will PM you when I have a chance--I just wanted to let you know that you and your entire family is in our thoughts and prayers. Melinda Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mhutch1366 Posted September 24, 2004 Share Posted September 24, 2004 Sharyn, I am sorry. Prayers things go well at Yale. XOXOXOX MaryAnn Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fay A. Posted September 24, 2004 Share Posted September 24, 2004 Sharyn, I am sorry for not responding before now. I'm sorry this has happened to your Dad, and I truly do not understand why mets to the esophagus/throat or gut appears to be such a difficult thing to diagnose. I keep looking for an explanation. My prayers go out to your and your Dad, with the hopes that they can treat the brain mets and gastric mets asap. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TeeTaa Posted September 24, 2004 Share Posted September 24, 2004 Add me to the long list of folks keeping you, your Dad, and your Mom in our thoughts and prayers. We're here when you need us. Praying for us all, TeeTaa Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carleen Posted September 24, 2004 Share Posted September 24, 2004 Sharyn, No need to apologize for being away for a while. Take it from me, I know all about that. I used to be able to be on board 2-3 times a day, and now I am lucky if I can find a computer once ever 2 weeks. It sucks in two ways, as the people here care and worry for us, but also because it is hard being away from all this support and love that we so need. But what I've learned is no matter how long our absence, our LCSC family here will always have us in their hearts and prayers and there are open arms waiting for when we can log on. I am really so sorry to hear your father has had these horrible blows lately. One of the important things I learned early on was that although the PET scans are very accurate and detect smaller tumors than CT scans, they are ineffective in any area where the body naturally processes and absorbs glucose (sugars) so PET is not an accurate indicator of Cancer in the brain or cancer in the liver, both show up as a black mass. PET is also not the best indicator of bone mets. This is why it is important to not only get CT or PET scans but bone scans and MRIs. But there is good news in that your father is going for Gamma Knife. I have heard some amazing result stories of people who've gone through that procedure. Just take everything one thing at a time. Kill that brain met, then attack and kill that esophagus cancer. I will be praying for your father, and praying for you and your mother. My heart is with you, and I pray for healing for your father. Make sure you take care of yourself, as well as your mom. This is such a horrible trying thing to go through and even if we don't feel we are doing much and feel we are helpless, that mental, emotional physical exhaustion just builds unnoticed until it threatens to impair you. Get rest and pamper you too. All my love Carleen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J.C. Posted September 24, 2004 Share Posted September 24, 2004 Sharyn, Will keep you all in my prayers. Please keep us posted on the next treatment. Love J.C. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ellakc2 Posted September 25, 2004 Share Posted September 25, 2004 Hi! Been where your are. Took care of my dad who had Pancreatic cancer. Belive it or not in the future you will look back on these days w/ fondness knowing you had time w/ him and gave back to him. These are the times you will remember forever. Take care. I know how hard it is for you and your mother is probably lost. Watch over her also. She most likely in shock also. I will pray for you all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David P Posted September 25, 2004 Share Posted September 25, 2004 Hi Sharon Sorry to hear about all the latest troubles your father has to deal with. Hopefully, the doctors have a good handle on everything. It's good your father's appetite is returning. Take care. David P. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tiny Posted September 25, 2004 Share Posted September 25, 2004 Sharon- Your pain and worry are apparent in your post. I wish there were more I could do, but you and your parents will be in my thoughts and prayers. The whole thing is debilitating in the amount of stress that you all endure. So sorry. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Amy P Posted September 25, 2004 Share Posted September 25, 2004 (((((Sharon)))))) I am so sorry you are having to deal with all of this. It is so unfair. Please know that you and your family are in my prayers. Much Love, Amy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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