"If you have ever had to deal with Cancer, you know that it is a word that just turns your world, your life and every emotion upside down.
Exactly 1 year ago today, 1/9/07, my dad was diagnosed with Cancer - Small Cell Carcinoma. It was in so many places that even though the doctor said they had an 80% success rate with curing this type of cancer, it just seemed impossible with how many tumors he had. He had a soup can sized tumor in the lung (the originator), several tumors in the liver, a large tumors by the pancreas, in the hip bone and just about his entire spine with tumors all over as well.
Dad of course heard nothing but the positives when he spoke to the doctors...my step mom was scared to death as well as the rest of us. He started radiation at the end of January and in mid February he began chemo. Dad said after the first chemo, he could take a deep breathe which is something he had not been able to do in over 8 months. He said that was also the night God came to him and told him he would be alright and everything would work out. It has been a long trying year and dad always stayed positive and knew in his heart the he would beat his cancer. He finished up with chemo in December and on January 4th, he went for his full body scan. After meeting with Dr. Billings today, his scan showed the he is CANCER FREE. Their is a dark spot on the spine, but there is no evidence of cancer (would have shown up pink on the body scan). Dr. Billings said it could be scar tissue from a tumor or it could be an underlying tumor that cancer has not yet developed. He told dad that he had two options - 1. do one more round (4 treatments) of chemo or 2. Wait 3 months and do another body scan to see if anything has developed. Of course like any other crossroad that dad has face, he always asks Billings what would he do if it were him. Billings said 1 more round...Dad didn't argue and said let start tomorrow. So even though his is going to continue with one more round of chemo - he's diagnosis is still CANCER FREE. After this last round of chemo which takes about 3 months, he will do another body scan and see if the tumor is completely gone (and know he made the right decision) and if it's still there but still shows no cancer, then he knows it is scar tissue and peace of mind that he has received two body scans that both came back CANCER FREE.
In other news, Kristin, my 8 month pregnant little sister, was taken to the hospital this morning. She passed a large clot which the doctor feels it's a small piece of the placenta that has separated. She was having some contractions, but seems to be doing much better. Her doctor said that she wanted to keeper for observations for the next 48-72 hours. Little Bodie man is doing great. He is under no stress, his vitals are all fine and he is doing his normal football exercises. They have finally admitted her into Labor and Delivery and that is where she will remain, just in case an OR is needed just for precautionary measures. Kristin is fine and is much more at ease and is just hungry - cause they won't let her eat.
Keep the prayers coming...they truly are answered."
Exactly 1 year ago today, 1/9/07, my dad was diagnosed with Cancer - Small Cell Carcinoma. It was in so many places that even though the doctor said they had an 80% success rate with curing this type of cancer, it just seemed impossible with how many tumors he had. He had a soup can sized tumor in the lung (the originator), several tumors in the liver, a large tumors by the pancreas, in the hip bone and just about his entire spine with tumors all over as well.
Dad of course heard nothing but the positives when he spoke to the doctors...my step mom was scared to death as well as the rest of us. He started radiation at the end of January and in mid February he began chemo. Dad said after the first chemo, he could take a deep breathe which is something he had not been able to do in over 8 months. He said that was also the night God came to him and told him he would be alright and everything would work out. It has been a long trying year and dad always stayed positive and knew in his heart the he would beat his cancer. He finished up with chemo in December and on January 4th, he went for his full body scan. After meeting with Dr. Billings today, his scan showed the he is CANCER FREE. Their is a dark spot on the spine, but there is no evidence of cancer (would have shown up pink on the body scan). Dr. Billings said it could be scar tissue from a tumor or it could be an underlying tumor that cancer has not yet developed. He told dad that he had two options - 1. do one more round (4 treatments) of chemo or 2. Wait 3 months and do another body scan to see if anything has developed. Of course like any other crossroad that dad has face, he always asks Billings what would he do if it were him. Billings said 1 more round...Dad didn't argue and said let start tomorrow. So even though his is going to continue with one more round of chemo - he's diagnosis is still CANCER FREE. After this last round of chemo which takes about 3 months, he will do another body scan and see if the tumor is completely gone (and know he made the right decision) and if it's still there but still shows no cancer, then he knows it is scar tissue and peace of mind that he has received two body scans that both came back CANCER FREE.
In other news, Kristin, my 8 month pregnant little sister, was taken to the hospital this morning. She passed a large clot which the doctor feels it's a small piece of the placenta that has separated. She was having some contractions, but seems to be doing much better. Her doctor said that she wanted to keeper for observations for the next 48-72 hours. Little Bodie man is doing great. He is under no stress, his vitals are all fine and he is doing his normal football exercises. They have finally admitted her into Labor and Delivery and that is where she will remain, just in case an OR is needed just for precautionary measures. Kristin is fine and is much more at ease and is just hungry - cause they won't let her eat.
Keep the prayers coming...they truly are answered."
Shannon
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