Conquering Cancer With Dad - Round 1 - Ding!

Today Dad wore the new Hawaiian print Elks shirt to his first treatment appointment, it looked great and everyone loved it! Why not huh?
We arrived at the Chemo Unit (the ATU) at LAMC at 8:00 am. They put Dad in a reclining chair in a corner which was nice and cozy. They took blood immediately and his results looked good. His RN was Valencia and she dove right in telling us about the chemo cocktail. It's the most common combination called the R-CHOP and it's been proven to be well tolerated with the least amount of major side effects. That's great news, because the list of side effects that she was required to go over with us really made it sound horrific.
So far Dad feels like Superman due to the crazy high dose of Prednisone he's taking and will continue to take for 4 more days. God I hate Prednisone, the stuff makes me climb the walls and I can't sleep. We can expect the same to happen to Dad.
His next round is scheduled for the 18th, by then we can expect hair loss and a weakened immune system. I told him he'll need to emulate Howard Hughes until all of this is over. I now have a little more perspective of the people on the plane that I see wearing face masks from time to time, you never know what they might be going through.
Round 1 in the bag and so far so good.

Conquering Cancer with Dad - Off To Battle

On our way to church today, Dad and I were talking about how his first Chemo session tomorrow feels a little like going to battle. One has to be courageous and determined to win. If we get knocked down, then we get right back up again and come at the enemy from another direction. Attitude is everything! And I say a sense of humor is important too! Maybe if he starts losing his hair, we can find one of those silly visors with the fur on top. Anything to keep things lighthearted. 

I think one of the most difficult things that Dad wrestles with right now is that his health is not in his control. He has no control over the diagnosis, the Doctor's decisions or how he will feel after the treatment. Also, the periods of waiting for results or in between treatments are very frustrating. My Dad and I are similar in this personality trait, we have never had much patience. We want results and we want them now!

Conquering Cancer With Dad

On July 24th, 2017 (5 days before his 81st Birthday), my Dad had a mass removed from his chest. Picture something the size and shape of half of a golf ball, rounded side into his chest. It wasn't causing him much discomfort, but it itched from time to time and it wasn't very pretty.
His Dr wanted it removed and tested. The test came back positive for B Cell Large Diffused Lymphoma, Non Hodgkins Lymphoma from what I researched. He underwent a few more tests throughout the week and his blood test results came back looking good. The PET Scan results showed the Lymphoma in 2 places, which now makes it Stage 2 Limited Lymphoma. There was still a little bit on his chest that was missed (Damnit!) and some in another lymph node in his arm pit.

Before my Dad's test results he felt fine. He had good energy, a great appetite and no trouble sleeping. Since then, the impact and stress of the diagnosis has played games with his mind. He's anticipating signs and symptoms of Lymphoma: night sweats, chills, dizziness, loss of appetite and weight loss.  How cruel this thing is! I'm admittedly a Daddy's Girl, my Dad has always been my Champion. And now I am his Cheerleader and his voice of reason. I say, "We got this! If we can't succeed the first time, we regroup and figure out another way." "You aren't alone, we're in this together." "Stay Strong Dad!" and "Talk to God."

His treatment will be 3 rounds of aggressive chemotherapy every 2.5 to 3 weeks followed by 3 weeks of radiation. His first chemo appointment is on Monday the 28th in Los Alamos. I have packed the car and will drive out there tomorrow morning, Bonnie in tow. I don't know how long I will be there, but I will stay as long as he needs me. With giving trips away and FMLA, I hope to get all of the time off from work that I need. Jeff will work as much as he can and my wonderful in-laws will help take care of the cats and the house. Hopefully Jeff will be able to fly out for a few days visit every so often. I'm already missing him, it's going to be even more challenging without the comfort of his embrace every time I feel scared. I don't think anyone can prepare to see a loved one get sick and suffer. My heart hurts with the thought of it. It's so horrible that the treatment makes us sicker than the Cancer does. I want to be strong enough for us both, I will need to carry us through this and stay positive.