{Bladder Cancer update}

After the removal of the cath, my dad got an infection and spent a couple days in the hospital...again!  He really hates the hospital.

AND

The results came back from the biopsy.

The Dr is 80% sure the cancer has not spread into the muscle.

80%?  Is that good enough?

If the cancer has not spread, he could do a 6 week round of treatment where they inject BCG (tuberculosis bacteria) into his bladder which will cause his immune system to fight off the cancer.

If that 80% is wrong and he does this 6 week treatment when really the cancer is in the muscle,  it will have been a waste of time.

The Dr said he could go back in and scrap some more to get a better idea of what we are dealing with.

It was hard to sit there and make the decision.  We all just kind of looked at each other.  I am so glad Lynn was there to speak up and say..."We want better than 80%"

Once he said that, we were all on board.

So in a few weeks my dad will be going in for another biopsy.

Cancer is so complicated!  It isn't just go to the Dr, find out what it is and treat it.  So many things need to lead up to that.

In the last 9 days he has had 2 admissions and spent 6 days hospitalized...3 days at Huntsman for severe infection, then he took a 3 day break and went to the U of U hospital for bleeding problems!

{Biopsy}

 

My dad had a biopsy on his bladder. 

 

The Dr found a large, 8 cm. tumor inside the bladder. They removed the tumor and took biopsy's of the bladder wall. So we are awaiting those results in a couple of weeks before they will know the extent and aggressiveness of the treatment he will receive.

 

Waiting is torture. 

 

Losing another parent to cancer is something I can't even consider. 

It is hard to see him go through this. The strongest man I know is weak and scared. We joke around because that is what our family does to cope.  But then reality hits and I have a sick feeling in my stomach. 

He will beat this!  That is the only option!

{Cancer really really really sucks!}

These two views are NOT what I ever wanted to experience in my lifetime.

Huntsman's Cancer Institute

and

Waiting for the first round of results

 

After having some pains in his stomach, my dad went to the Dr to get treated for what they thought might be a urinary tract infection.  They gave him antibiotics and sent him on his way.

 

The pains did not go away.

 

Further tests have shown cancer cells in his urine which triggered more tests and a visit to the saddest place on earth.....Huntsman's Cancer Institute.  It is a blessing we have such an amazing hospital close by but it is never a place you want to go.

 

Results:

Some thickening on the wall of his bladder.  Bladder cancer?

 

Without doing a biopsy they don't know for sure.

 

With his blood clot and them thinning out his blood it isn't just a quick go in, get a sample and be done.

 

Biopsy is scheduled for November 25th.  There is a risk of bleeding from the biopsy so they will watch it closely. 

 

Then wait 2 weeks for results.  We won't know how extensive this cancer is until the beginning of December.  The wait is going to be torture!

 

Good news is they didn't find any other worry areas.  So we are hoping it is just localized to the bladder and it can be treated quickly.

 

Prayers, prayers, prayers!

 

 

{Relay For Life}

My Dad and Vickie were in charge of a booth at the Relay For Life selling Hot Dogs and Hamburgers.  We went up to help and do a little walking.

I miss my mom!!!!  Cancer SUCKS!

{Cancer Sucks}

A coworker of mine found out in September that their 12 year old son has liver cancer. They were hopeful for a recovery. He has gone through chemo and a couple surgeries but just got the news that the cancer has spread to his intestines and is in all the major 4 veins so not even a transplant would help. They have told them to take him home and love and enjoy every minute they have with him. They don't know how long he has but probably won't be around next summer. I can't even imagine going through this! Here is their blog if you would like to read it.

How do you prepare a 12 year old to die? Here is something they said on the blog that hit me pretty hard.

"He goes around saying but you will be right behind me right mom you will be just a second and you'll be in heaven because in heaven every minute in heaven is a 1000 years on earth. So our saying around here is we'll be just behind you in just a second."