Cancer Blows

Well, Dad has had a setback. While we were away, Dad had to have emergency surgery. He had been feeling kinda crappy for a couple of weeks but the doctor said to keep trying different things. Well, Saturday he felt better and thought he was finally turning a corner. Sunday, the pain was back with a vengeance. He went to the ER and they ran some tests. Turns out part of his colon had died from the cancer and then it ruptured. So his cavity was filled with fecal matter and they rushed him off to surgery. They had to re-route his digestive system and it is a big lifestyle change that will take some getting use to. They were very worried about sepsis and infection but he has had no symptoms. He is doing very well considering what he has gone through. He is making progress every day. The doctors are amazed at how quickly he is healing. He has a huge open incision about 10" long on his abdomen that they are letting heal on its own. It should be closed in 2-3 months. His goal right now is to get eating again. Because of all of the trauma, his digestive tract shut down (which is normal). It has begun to start up again so hopefully he will be on liquids, soft foods, then real food soon. As soon as he can eat solids and they make sure everything is working properly, he can go home.

Mom called us Sunday but we were in the middle of nowhere sailing to Canada on our honeymoon. It was terrible feeling so helpless. There was really nothing we could do from the ship. We hurried home as soon as we could once we got back to Seattle. As soon as we landed mom drove us to the hospital to visit Dad. We've been keeping him company the past couple of days but I have to go back to work tomorrow. Mostly he has been sleeping but today he has been more awake and alert. They have started getting him up and about with short walks. He's doing so good, hopefully he'll be home soon and we'll get him back on track. He won't be able to do chemo for 4 weeks because of the surgery. We are praying that the cancer does not grow uncontrollably without it and that it stays under control until he can resume the chemo.

Please continue to keep him in your thoughts and prayers as he continues to fight his battle with cancer.