Still Cancer Free!!!

Results of the latest scans came in... Dad is still cancer free!!!  What a relief. 

Maybe it wasn't about the cancer....

Let me start by telling you all that three or four years ago my dad tried to get a heart stress test done because he had some pretty strong family history of heart problems and wanted to make sure his own heart was doing ok.  Well, insurance would not cover the test because he did not have a medical need for it.  That was then....

Since Dad has had cancer... he seems to be in "medical need" for every test known to man!!!  This would include the heart stress test.  So a few weeks ago he had the test performed and it showed some abnormalities so they wanted him to have another test done.  This test pumped a fluid into him that allowed them to see the heart and how it was pumping and was able to show them all the veins and arteries surrounding the heart.  We honestly didn't expect them to find anything of consequence, but given the strong family history, it was an important test to have done.

Well, they did find something... they found that a main artery that pumped blood to the entire left side of Dad's heart showed a significant blockage.  They said that without fixing this, he would surely eventually have a major heart attack which he would probably not live through.  

So, the very next day (last Wednesday), he went in and they put a stent where the blockage was.  It was actually a pretty minor procedure.  They insert the stent and a camera through his inner thigh and up to his heart... it's kind of incredible... Dad was actually awake during the procedure.  They said the blockage was more significant than they had thought so it was good he got it taken care of right away. He had to stay in the hospital overnight just so they could monitor him because of the blood thinners he needed to be on, but was released early the next morning and there was absolutely no recovery needed.

This was an incredible surprise, miracle, shock, blessing, and I am not sure what other feelings this all brought on, but we are so glad that it was something that was caught and taken care of quickly and easily.  It also brought some frustration that Dad was a bit of a ticking time bomb and a frustration that our insurance companies don't seem willing to fund preventative testing that would keep all of us healthier and catch more problems earlier on.

This also brings on the thought of what a miraculous recovery Dad had from the cancer and surgery, that maybe it wasn't about the cancer... maybe cancer is what saved Dad's life.

Free and Clear!

This week was Dad's check up which he will have every six months.  This includes PET scans and an endoscopy and some other things that will determine whether or not cancer has returned to his esophagus or other areas in his body.  

The tests came back, and wouldn't you know, Dad passed with flying colors.  There is no sign of cancer or sign of abnormalities (you know, besides the normal).  This is extremely exciting as his particular type of cancer is quite the beast and likes to rear its ugly head!  This is a milestone.  It seems like 2 years is a biggie and then the 5 year mark they will actually all him cancer free officially.  So, for now, it is just unofficial, but he remains cancer free!!!!  YEE HAW!

Small ordeal and new scans being performed this week!

I thought I would go ahead and do a follow up of my dad's post... I read posts from an EC site where people ask questions and give inspiration and hope to EC survivors and families of those affected by EC.  Reading these posts was both informative and beneficial but also terrifying!!  Most people send messages because they are experiencing complications or looking for new hope in a difficult situation, so as you can imagine, I find my dad's recovery to be nothing but miraculous.  Normally I don't like to boast about Dad because his head is already so inflated that it can hardly fit through the door, but I gotta say he really has handled this cancer thing like a rock star.  Dad is a 'matter of fact' kind of a guy and when a hurdle is in his way, he doesn't focus on how hard that hurdle is but only what the quickest and most efficient way to get over that hurdle is.  It's a perspective I need to gain, that's for sure!!

On my birthday last week, Dad was having a little chest pain-- he said it was hurting to take deep breaths.  Being the caring and loving daughter I am, I told him "Suck it up dad, it's my birthday! You just don't want me to whoop you in dominoes!"  -- Yeah, I know, I'm nice.  So, he sat and played dominoes and drank a smoothie and I didn't think much of it.  Then mom called Sunday morning to say he was in the ER because it really started hurting in the middle of the night.

What they found was that a wall of Dad's heart was looking a little swollen and there was some fluid built up.  It was quickly remedied by taking a pill which lessened the swelling and the fluid dissipated.  

Fluid build up is extremely common after surgeries as organs are reacting to the body being opened up and foreign objects being handled inside the body.  Dad will find out more specifics when he goes into the doctor this week, but it looks like something fairly common and a quick fix and he is back to himself again.

This week is a big week.  Dad goes in for all his testing that he will do every six months (I think) and will let us all know whether the cancer really has stayed away or not.  It's a scary thing as esophageal cancer does have a high recurrence rate.  However, one benefit to Dad's little ER overnighter was that they did a CT scan while he was there and that looked clear.  So, we aren't expecting anything but good news.  I will post more after the results come back next week.

Back to the grind-stone

I am making one of my rare guest appearances on my blog. It has been 3 months since my surgery. I have been back to work since the two month point, I must have stayed out just the right time because Maureen did not push me out the door (yet) and I was able to easily put in full days since the first day back. Two indicators that I was probably ready to get back at it. I think getting back to “normal routine” is a requisite for complete recovery. Since this last post (July 8^th), I have continued to wreak havoc on the Racquet ball courts and have been dropped from the invite list to play. Houston ’s weather is just too hot and humid to attempt any golf, but I am ready for the next cold front when the temperature drops below 90. I am planning on a 5K run by Thanksgiving – a family event.

 

A couple of weeks back my sixth grandchild was born. His name is Griffin and he is a handsome lad. Ironically he was born six months and a day from the day I was diagnosed with cancer and told I had as little as six months left, if I did nothing about it. Whew, am I glad I did something about it and boy am I glad that I had supremely skilled doctors and a heavy dose of fervent prayers from family, friends and friends of friends. Between the two, I’ll see Griffin grow up. Thank you all for that gift. Please don’t stop!!

Bill

 

Triumphant Return to the Courts

A few months ago, right before Dad's surgery, we played racquetball with him one last time.  (We aren't professional but we sure have fun playing!).  I had to hold my tears back that day as I assumed that it would likely be the last time I played with him or at least last time for a very long time.  A week and a half ago, Dad was back on the court!!  Still gaining strength, agility and willingness to move from one spot, but nevertheless back on the court.

Pardon the pictures... I took these on my cell phone and it kept focusing on the glass wall instead of the players (who are from left to right... Evan, Dad, Pat and Mom).

It must be said that cancer is a pretty scary thing.  The thing that we don't always realize is the broad spectrum of outcomes that come from it.  I now know that all of the forums, internet research and websites are mostly filled with people who are or have a family member who are recently diagnosed or they are having complications and reach out for help online.  So, what ends up happening is that these newly diagnosed patients and their families are terrified because they are reading about everything that could possibly go wrong!!  I fell into the terrified category, that is for sure.  I should have known better.

Mostly I should have known better because I didn't look in the right place for the answers and comfort I was looking for.  I should have also known better because I am pretty sure almost everyone around me was in tune enough to realize that things would work out as they should even though I wasn't so sure.  I'm kind of dumb like that though... I am the type that has to do things the hard way to learn my lesson.  I have lived a life where the evidence that there is a God and He watches over me and all of us.  He knows us, is patient with us, heals us and teaches us.  A life like ours wouldn't make sense if He didn't exist.  All that being said, sometimes we (meaning me) need to reach beyond ourselves for answers and comfort.  It's there, waiting for us to ask.

---I don't usually get that personal on here, but it needed to be said.

Dad is doing so awesome.  Miraculous.  He eats like crazy (just smaller more frequent meals).  His biggest adjustment has just been realizing what is too much.  He says that he doesn't imagine it feels any different than if he were to have gastric bypass or something.

My parents went out and bought one of those posture-pedic (sp?) beds that both sides move up and down like a hospital bed.  Dad was told that he would always need to sleep elevated.  Dad told me a couple weeks ago that the bed is now laying almost flat when he sleeps.  So, I guess the bed will be most useful to incline while watching television I guess.  Dad has some gnarly scars-- I think I have expressed how cool I think those are already.

Next week Dad officially goes back to work.  It's time.  Last week when I took some girls from our church to camp he came up to visit with goody bags... Dad doesn't usually make goody bags and that is how I know for certain that he needs to go back to work. 

Life doesn't stop when life changing things happen in our lives.  I don't understand why as it is really frustrating to keep going on while you are in the thick of it all.  But I'm grateful life goes on and that we are now going to begin to return to a life of normalcy. 

Dad gets a scan done in August I think.  This type of cancer has a higher than average chance of coming back, but we are all feeling at peace and confident in what lies ahead.-- You know, for now. :)

In other news, my brother, Evan, joined the Navy.  Evan thought it was great when the people down at the recruitment center kissed up to Dad.  I think Dad enjoyed it too.  Nice to be respected, Dad doesn't get much respect from us kids :).

No News really is GOOD news

I haven't posted in a bit, sorry about that, but no news really is good news in this case.  Dad is doing awesome!!!  Can I just take a minute to say how amazing that is!? I'm talking miracles.  Due to my slightly controlling and obsessive personality I have done my fair share of research on the subject of esophageal cancer and heard all the statistics and the complications and all the "what ifs" and have sufficiently freaked myself out on a number of occasions.  To this I say to myself, "I should have listened to my dad".  It's true, I don't say that sort of thing all the time because frankly, I try not to listen to him, but he was right about all of this.  From the very beginning he treated this all like an inconvenience and a bump in the road and thus far, that's exactly what it's been.  Maybe the miracle was that Dad was right.

Recovery wise, the man is a champ.  He goes on outings each day, runs errands, etc.  He is eating... and I am not just talking a bite here and there, he has been wolfing food down!!  He does need to eat smaller meals (probably the size the rest of us SHOULD eat regularly) and he feels pretty dang full if he over eats, but he wants and needs to eat more often.  So, about every two hours he is on the hunt in the kitchen for something to dig into.  Since his whole digestive system has had a bit of a shock (taking out a portion of it could do that), he is still adjusting to its new...'schedule', but I think that would be typical with any major surgery... just adjusting to the differences in your body.  Dad is still getting fed through the feeding tube at night but plans on asking them if he can be finished with it at his next appointment because he is getting plenty of nutrition.  

Dad has also been hitting the gym with us on some mornings.  Sadly, he isn't in racquetball condition yet but he walks the treadmills.  It's good to see that he is being so proactive in his recovery.  It still makes me laugh how the nurses kept telling me that Dad must be in really good shape or when they asked me if he was an athlete.  SUUURRRRRE he is. Yesterday he wore some running pants that I had not seen him in since New Years.  Something mysterious happened... Dad lost his butt.  Someone must have stolen it... it may have been me.

His incisions look good-- I made sure to check them out myself last night during our dominoes marathon.  They hacked him up good but all the scabbing (ew) and stuff is all but off so I think the scars will be minimal eventually.  I still think they look awesome and wish I could get some scars but not have any surgeries or be hurt or in any pain to receive them.  Cosmetic scars?  Yeah, I doubt that will ever turn into a 'thing' people want.

Last week my uncle and aunt came to visit... I will post more about that next time (have to get some pictures from my mom) and I will also post about my parents new addition--- a new addition equipped with two remotes.  I know, I've got your mind reeling. 

Quick Update

Things are going great.  Dad went in on Tuesday for some testing to see if everything has been healing as it is supposed to.  So far so good.  He is having some pain in the incision in his back (he has one on his upper back and one across his stomach) but that is usually what is bothering him and what usually is prompting the pain meds.  The doctors biopsied all the esophagus and lymph nodes they took out during surgery.  They could see no cancer though one lymph node did have active cells which would categorize him as N1 (not a cancer stage... they won't probably ever claim "cancer free" but he is as close as they could hope anyone to be at this point).  The doctors didn't seem too worried about his as they took out all lymph nodes that they thought would possibly be infected so we're hopeful that this was the only one.

This particular cancer has a really high chance of either recurrence in the same area or somewhere else in the body.  Clear scans for 2 years is the biggest hurdle, 5 years is amazing and longer than that is the goal!  While this cancer does have a high chance of recurrence, judging how amazing Dad has done thus far, there is a high chance he will be in the percentage that never has it come back.  The doctors were incredibly impressed with Dad and his results so that certainly says a lot.

Right now Dad is enjoying a diet of liquids, soups and ding dongs.  I am not sure why ding dongs, but we all have our own cravings right?  So far so good.  He will still be being fed through the feeding tube but hopes to have that tapered off within the next 2-6 weeks.  The amount of time and amount of food he will be fed through it will decrease as he is able to eat more.  The good news is that he actually gained a little wait post surgery which is WONDERFUL... but I think he is still looking scrawny.... we'll get him bulked back up in no time!

Dad has been getting out each day.  He is supposed to do a lot of walking and he is also getting a little restless at home so the outings are helpful.  My mom says he is like a newborn, awake for a couple hours, sleeps for four hours, awake for a couple hours, sleeps for fours hours.

This weekend company comes into town (my dad's brother and his wife), my parents get their new bed delivered and our neighborhood pool opens!  Ok, that last one is the highlight of our little home's weekend but doesn't have anything to do with dad.  I doubt he will be going in the pool for quite awhile.  

Sorry for the lack of pictures... I'll get on that.

Home Now and Recovering Still

The picture below is of Dad right before leaving the hospital... Glorious day!  He is wearing his boring brown slippers... he could have had the green mop ones.  Whatever, my floors are sparkling now that I have been wearing them instead of him.

Dad is home now.  He had a rough night the first night as he was trying to get used to managing his pain without the epidural and hospital drugs.  He was also trying to figure out the j-tube pump that kept beeping (this is the feeding tube-- he has to be being fed for 16 hours each day).  The bags in the picture below are the bags that the brown liquid food is poured into.  The food goes directly into his intestine because his esophagus and stomach are still healing from the surgery and they need to make sure it seals without leaks.  That means he still hasn't eaten or had anything to drink since last Wednesday.  He will go in this next week for the appointment where he will drink barium and they'll be able to test his insides for leaks.

Here is Dad resting... and Toby.  Toby needs more sleep than Dad does.  Yesterday I was able to spend the day with Dad... well, sleeping while he slept.  I came over because I was in the midst of trying to pass some kidney stones-not fun.  Dad and I bumped hospital bracelets and Mom acted as Florence Nightengale tending to her sickly patients.  I think Dad is already restless of sitting inside all the time.  He was planning on going to a funeral today and perhaps to the store with my mom.  He has to take walks several times a day anyway, so I guess this is probably no different.  Don't worry, he has several of us breathing down his neck to make sure he is getting adequate rest.  Healing continues...

Guess who is home!?

Dad!!  6 days and he is out... must be a record I am sure.  A lot of his easier recovery seems to be due to his general health, his age, amount they had to remove, overall attitude and lots and lots of prayers from all of you.  THANK YOU!  Recovery for this surgery takes awhile, but we are pretty excited about how quickly he is bouncing back already.

Smell you later Nose Hose!

Today, Dad said a happy goodbye to the nose hose.  No more nasty tube jammed up his nose (held on by a stitch-ouch) and pushed down his throat.  Thankfully my brothers and I walked in just after the removal... couldn't have been pleasant to watch I am sure.  Things are going much better than they were when I left last night.  Dad was pretty worn out and grumpy from just being in the hospital, wanting to be better and wanting to be home.  Having the tube come out certainly helped!  He also got a chest tube removed.  It was oozing a bit, but they kept bandaging it and it looks to be doing better and the doctor said it should not cause any complications.

 Here is Dad!!!  He is playing Skip-Bo with us and holding his favorite stuffed animal :).  Dad is growing his Philmont beard... Lucky me, Dan (my husband) has decided to grow his own beard in solidarity... so have my brothers, but their's is a little patchy.  He did 20 laps today around the nurses station.  While I was there he said his next goal is to make it a full 26.2.  

Two weeks post surgery dad will do a barium test to check for leaks in his esophagus and stomach.  After this he will be able to reintroduce himself to foods/drinks again.  He says he isn't hungry but could really use a soda... not such a good idea right now unfortunately. 

Check out these awesome slippers!!  (and the cute dog too... that's Lucy).  Dad could have had these babies but he chose the brown boring slippers instead.  Too bad... these are both comfortable and helping to clean my floors. 

I have gotten lost at MDA no less than 20 times since Dad has been in the hospital.  I have a horrible sense of direction... it's crazy that I get so lost when the hospital has kiosks all over that print out directions for you.  Today my brothers and I got a little turned around in the parking garage.  Not our fault as it took us over 20 minutes to find a parking spot and we couldn't leave the parking garage to go to a different garage because you are charged $2.00 for 0-20 minutes.  Rip off. 

---Shh... there's a rumor floating around of possibly being discharged in the next couple days....

Sir Koff-A-Lot and the Nose in the Hose

Dad is still doing well, though he was more tired today and seemed to be in a bit more pain.  It could have been the 16 laps he did around the nurses station.  Basically, the man needs to slow down!!!  He probably is just sore from the exercise.  I can always tell when he is tired or hurting as he becomes less and less entertained by my particular brand of humor.  Actually, he is hardly entertained by it at all. But when he is tired or hurting, he doesn't even bother to give me strange looks but just closes his eyes and ignores me all together.

I think the pain meds are making him say crazy things too.  He was blabbering on about how he is halucinating and seeing holograms that fade in and out of reality and sometimes he thinks people come visit him who were never there or is surprised when we "come back".  What a weirdo.  Then he told me how excited he was to "get the nose out of his hose"-- what he really meant was he was excited to get the tube (hose) out of his nose.  That should be happening tomorrow.  Over the course of the next week he will get several 'hoses' removed...nose hose, chest tubes, epidural, catheter etc.... he has the whole rainbow of colors coming out of his body right now.  It's gross and cool at the same time.

The above picture is of Sir-Koff-A-Lot... isn't he regal with his bow tie?  I think so, but Mom and Dad didn't so they stripped him down.  Mom said that Dad is a grown man and doesn't need a bear with a bow tie.  Yet, he still needs the bear apparently.  He needs the bear because it is a weighted bear and if he squeezes it, it will help not to hurt as much when he coughs.  Pillows work too.

I forgot to mention that Dad started being fed through his J tube yesterday.  It's his feeding tube that goes right into his intestine (they still aren't ready for him to have anything go down his esophagus or his stomach as it is still healing).  The food looks like chocolate milk, but he won't be tasting any of that. 2 Weeks post surgery he will have a barium test to check for leaks to see if everything is healed up as it should.

He also got a fun new 'toy'... it's one of those dentist-type suction hoses that sucks up all your spit.  He made it a point to gross us all out with it several times.  Dad also wandered down to the patient/family lounge to help us with a puzzle (probably why he is feeling more pain--doing too much). Shortly after he decided to return to his room to continue more phlegm sucking and pain med button pushing... then he fell asleep and we went home.

Another update tomorrow....

Updates and Such

Quick update on Dad:  He is doing awesome!  So far, BETTER than the BEST case scenario!  Honestly, everyone expected a lot more pain, a lot more complications and a lot more emotional stress on all of us.  He is doing great.  Of course, we are still quite early in the process, so things could always change, but for now he is doing wonderfully.

 

The nurse said today that he is looking better than any patient he has ever seen have this surgery.  I think that is fitting... my dad is one of those people who in school put in minimal effort and got straight As... Like now, he is just doing his thing, trying to just endure this process and he is getting through it with flying colors!!! It really has been amazing to see how human bodies are able to preserve energy to help the body heal and how quickly one can feel like themselves again.

 

Dad will likely have one of his chest tubes removed today---several days earlier than the norm--he will also get his nose hose removed on Monday (hence the lack of facial pictures... I don't mind embarrassing dad through photos but even I have standards).  When I left last night he had just finished 10 laps around the nurses station and when I was leaving he was about to go for another walk.  He leaves all the nursing staff amazed at his progress.  I saw one of his incisions... it looked so cool... like frankenstein with all the staples...  It looks like a cesarean incision but curves up in the middle.  He is going to be so cool now with those scars.  Seriously, I think he is cooler already.

 Here we have Dad's tootsies!!  Also pictured are the leg cuffs that inflate to keep circulation going and to prevent blood clots.  He doesn't wear them as much anymore as he is moving so much.  Last night while we were there, he joined us in a game of spades.  He tired towards the end but was perfectly able to play... our team won by the way...  Of course, once we were done, he scooted us out and pressed his button (delivers pain meds but also makes him really sleepy... I think he mostly uses it to make himself sleep).

Thank you all for your prayers... you really can feel a prayer you know.  We are very sensitive to the fact that many others have trials in their lives right now.  These lives of ours are very fragile and it's incredible how quickly our lives can change.  I'm grateful that we have choices and are able to decide how to handle these trials.  Admittedly, I am not an incredible example of how to handle these sorts of things as I was a mess for a couple weeks after finding out about my Dad's cancer.  It took a lot of soul searching and prayer for me to get a handle on what I truly believe about life.  I hope any of you that are feeling loss or going through trials will feel comfort as our prayers come your way.

Has anyone seen SUPERMAN lately?

Probably not many of you because he is busy flying laps around MD Anderson hallways!  Dad is doing great!  He has been managing his pain so far and is moving quickly... much faster than the other patients there.  Doctors and nurses both have been in awe at how well he is doing a day out of surgery.  One nurse said, "wow, your dad must be in awesome shape to be doing so well post surgery". 

Dad is superman!!  He really is.  He is doing much more than we would have dreamed so far.  He still has the epidural to control his pain, so things are still in very early stages so it's hard to gauge how well he will do after he is off the epidural;  However, what an awesome start!  Keep it up Dad, do what your able, but we are so proud of you. 

Surgery Day - 5:00 pm

So, we all just saw Dad in the recovery room.  He was in great spirits... GOOD DRUGS.  His epidural is working well and he has been pressing the button as needed and maybe even a little more than needed :).  He looks good, though he has a large tube coming out of his nose.  He said it isn't bothering him, but he is also a little loopy right now.  He has drainage tubes happening and his body is yellow from iodine.  He still has his cool socks on and said he is looking forward to his Philmont beard that he will have by the time he exits the hospital.  

Dad startled himself when he looked at the clock and said, "the last time I looked at that clock, it read a completely different time and that was just a couple minutes ago!"  Sure Dad.    He was also busily giving my brother Pat directions home, so he is pretty coherent.  

Mom will be holding down the fort tonight and I will stay til after dinner sometime and then plan on being back for my mom to be able to get some rest (remember, they'll be waking him every hour).  Lots of hospital trips this next week or so.  Pray for a fast recovery!!

Surgery Day - 2:30 pm

Dad is out of surgery.  The nurse who gave us the news last said that it would be at least a couple more hours so when the floor nurses came to show us Dad's room, Mom, Evan and I went to drop off some of our stuff.  Well, of course, the doctor comes to tell us Dad is out of surgery.  We were pretty frustrated that the doctor wouldn't wait for us and that the nurse in the waiting area refused to let us see the doctor after we came back.  After all, it was the MDA nurses that took us away from the waiting room!!! 

Anyway, Dr. Swiffer---as I like to call him---actually his name is Dr. Swisher (the surgeon), came and talked to Kim and let her know some details of the surgery.  He said everything went well.  There weren't any visible signs of cancer seen at all.  They took about 1/3 of his esophagus and about 1/5 of his stomach (as planned).  They will do testing on the removed tissue to see if there is any cancer present in them.  

Right now, Dad is in recovery.  We haven't been able to see him.  They are waiting until he wakes up before anyone can go see him.  They said it could take a couple hours and since Dad likes his sleep, I don't doubt that will be the case!  Dad did have an issue with the epidural that he was given, but since we weren't here, we don't know the details of that other than they are going to redo the epidural.  This will help with his pain management as it will numb him from the upper chest down to his stomach.  So, hopefully that new epidural will work for him!

They will have him up and moving today or early tomorrow.  He won't receive anything via his feeding tube or by mouth for 3 days and so will receive nutrition solely through his IV for those days.  We don't know how long he will be in the hospital... they said some have left in less than a week and others have stayed more than two weeks.  10-14 days is the norm.  Dad will have drainage tubes put in and those will probably be in for a week.  Also, he will have a tube going up his nose to keep his stomach decompressed so there's no leakage.  I hope it comes out quickly as Dad has been saying he is worried about the discomfort of that particular tube.

Nurses said that they will be coming in hourly for at least the first couple of days to check his vitals and his breathing... so he may not get that much rest after all. 

We are all so anxious to see him.  Dad said he thinks he might get the wrong idea when he wakes up and sees his entire family circled around him!!!  :)

I will post more later after we see how he is doing physically and have a better idea of how he is handling his pain.  Thank you all for your prayers and love.... we are feeling it... BIG TIME.

Surgery Day - 12:30 pm

We just received the latest update...they aren't very detailed in their updates...  

They have finished loosening up his innards while laying on his back and have just turned him onto his side to do the same from the side.  Apparently, there is a lot of loosening and moving around of one's insides before the actual surgical/cutting process begins.  All of our insides are held into place otherwise we would all be sloshing around and all of our guts would be in our feet... so they have to move things around to get to Dad's esophagus.  

So, that's where we are at.

We are all hanging out in the waiting area.  There are easily over 150 people here in the waiting area.  There are 30 operating rooms and that doesn't even count the outpatient surgeries.  That is so crazy that this hospital is booked up every day with that many people sitting and waiting to hear about their loved ones.  

We have kept busy with card games this last couple of hours.  Most people are just sitting around, talking on cell phones and staring at each other.  Maybe people are thinking we are strange because we aren't sitting around sulking and staring at each other the whole time, but seriously, that would make the time go SO slow!  So, we are trying to keep our minds occupied and the time goes a little faster... I mean, it's still slow, but it does pass a bit more quickly.

I suppose everyone copes differently... One of our 'favorite' fellow waiting room family members passes the time by whistling "Amazing Grace" and "Moon River"-- LOUD and CONTINUOUSLY!  Evan is about to karate chop him.  Kim is getting irritated by loud cell phone talkers.  I am busily playing games and blogging.  Pat continues playing video games on his laptop--exactly what he would be doing at home.  Mom is playing with me. 

Next update in about 2 hours.

Surgery Day- 10:20 am

UPDATE:  Nurse came to update us.  She didn't say much.  She said the surgery started at 8:29am and they hadn't taken anything out yet and that we had awhile to wait.  Next update is at noon.... or around then.. they were 20 minutes late giving us our update.

MEANWHILE:

We finished a 1000 piece puzzle before the first update.  woo hoo!!!  My job as entertainer has been successful thus far.  Next update in a couple hours!!!

Surgery Day- 8:00 am

Dad went into surgery about a half hour ago.  He was feeling good this morning and is ready to get this surgery over with.  They said the surgery should be about 6 hours but could go longer depending on how fast things go and if there is any more work they need to do once they see what everything looks like inside.

We left (all 6 of us) for MDA early this morning...4:30am... I don't think my brother Evan has ever been conscious that early.  They picked me up and I came running down the drive way with my backpack full.  Dad rolled his eyes at my over-preparedness but I just hope I packed enough.  After all, I am in charge of entertainment. So, the pack is filled with games, puzzles and other fun things to help pass the time.

Dad got these really cool socks...or are they leggings because they are open-toed?  Not sure, but they are awesome.  They are nylon so you can see his leg hair through them... classic.  Last night I bought Dad some slippers.  He gave me the assignment of picking him up a slip on, normal pair of rubber soled slippers.  Well, that was what I was intending on getting him, but I saw some really cool neon green slippers that are designed with mop-type bottoms that clean your floors as you walk!  How cool is that?!?  Well, Dad didn't think they were very cool.  Fine, I will keep them.  I bought his pair of boring, brown, slip on slippers just in case he didn't like the neon green anyway.

Mom left Dad with a male nurse who thought Dad was hilarious, so I am sure Dad was happy enough before he slipped into dreamland.  He gets an epidural.  Did I mention that yet?  Yup, this makes me happy for some reason... I guess because he gets to experience a joy of child birth.  Maybe he will appreciate us women in his life a little more :).

We should be receiving an update sometime around 10 and then every couple hours after that.  I will keep everyone posted.

Tomorrow is Surgery Day

Tomorrow is the big day!  Surgery day is finally upon us.  We're all busy packing bags and getting ready for a hospital stay.  Dad met with the surgeon today and they've decided to continue on with the original game plan of taking out the lower section of the esophagus and the upper portion of the stomach.  Because of the positioning of the original tumor and how it grew into the thickened esophagus, there is high potential of cancerous tissues and cells resurfacing if they don't take out that upper portion of the stomach.  

Dad is eager to get the surgery done and be well on his way to ridding himself of cancer altogether.  The recovery from this particular surgery is quite lengthy, but our dad is a pretty tough guy so I imagine he will up in no time.  He will probably be in the hospital anywhere from a week to two weeks, but probably more like 8 to 10 days.  It will all depend on how his body reacts.  

Surgery is scheduled for first thing in the morning, so I plan on posting updates throughout the day as we hear updates ourselves.  Please check the blog often for updates.  Prayers are very welcome, this is a major surgery and does include many risks.  Someone has been watching out for Dad so far... I think He is still keeping his eye on Dad and still has many plans for him yet!

Good News Keeps on Comin'!

Just a quick post to inform everyone that the PET scan and CT both came back and showed remarkable results.  The cancer is not found at all.  There is a little thickening in the wall of the esophagus, but no actual cancer.  This is amazing and wonderful news to receive.  

You may be wondering, like I had been, why one would still do surgery when the scans are clear.  Well, the chances of this particular cancer returning to the same location is quite high... I think my dad said 50-75%.  And if for some reason we didn't do the surgery and the cancer did come back, the surgery that would need to be performed would be much more involved and difficult to recover from.  Plus, I'm sure it would be hard to get over choosing not to do the surgery and then have it come back with a less than positive outcome.  So, we go with what gives Dad the best odds... surgery.

We are getting all ready for surgery on Wednesday.  Tomorrow Dad meets with the surgeon to figure out how involved the surgery will be.  I must be kind of sick or something, because I am actually looking forward to Wednesday.  You see, it will be the first time our little family (all kids plus parents) go somewhere together without spouses or children.  It will be like old times, except you know, we will be dropping Dad off to get hacked open....  I mean, for him to receive a procedure to ensure his continued health :).  MD Anderson has lots of puzzles all around so I am eager to get my hands on a few of those, plus I have so little quiet time that I have a whole list of things I want to work on while waiting in the hospital.  I know what you are thinking... I AM sick.  Well, it's true, but honestly we are all a little nervous, but mostly eager to get this thing dealt with.  Good news keep on comin'!  We love it!

I'll post tomorrow to let you know surgery details.

BIG NEWS, GREAT NEWS!!!

"I can't see any tumor and don't see anything cancerous", is what the endoscopy doctor told us today after Dad's appointment.  We still are awaiting results from the PET scan and CT scan before surgery, but this is the best case scenario at this point and we couldn't be any happier about this!  Now that the good news has been shared... here's how things went...

Today was dad's endoscopy--performed to let us see how he has responded to his treatment--and yours truly got to take him to his appointment.  I have to admit, I was kind of excited to go as it made me feel more a part of things and I am sort of a busy body and like being in my parents' business and this enabled me to do more of that. 

Here is dad waiting to get prepped with an IV before his procedure.  We are in a large room with 10+ little rooms like this separated by curtain partitions.  Dad was kind of amped up at this point because for the last endoscopy he received, they gave him some really good drugs that put him out for a good hour.  He says it was one of the best naps he's ever had.

Check out these socks!  How cool are these?  Double sided for double wearability.  Will MD Anderson think of everything!?  I certainly thought these were the coolest things ever.... plus they kept his toes nice and toasty.  This was good because it was freezing cold in that place.  I was fortunate that I thought to bring a sweater or I would have turned into an ice cube.  They brought dad as many heated blankets as he wanted.  No one asked me if I wanted a blanket.  --- The nurses at MDA are very nice.  They are great in fact, though they don't always appreciate dad's humor and appreciated his side-kick's (me) humor even less.  What!?  We're funny people.... we crack ourselves up and that is enough for us.

Post recovery and awaiting results, Dad was adventurous and tried out cran-grape juice.  I was glad he found something he liked as he was a bit cranky because the nurse informed him that he would not be sedated as he was last time and would not receive as much medication.  This meant he was awake mostly and gagged a few times... you would too.

The interesting part came at the end while the doctor was giving us the results.  You see, endoscopy involves tubes going down the hatch like in my dad's procedure and tubes going up as in a colonoscopy.  Apparently, during colonoscopy, air gets up into your system.  Well, in the recovery area, it was like some disgusting chorus as the colonoscopy patients woke up out of sedation and released their air.  A lot of air.  It was gross.  Natural I suppose, but still gross.  Dad was just happy they used the correct tube for his procedure... he wouldn't have appreciated the after taste if they hadn't.

All and all, AWESOME NEWS TODAY!  Seriously, this could not have been better news to have and we certainly are feeling encouraged by this.  Tomorrow dad goes in for his CT scan.  He will have to drink gross barium.  All results from biopsies, CT scan and PET scan will be received on Monday.  This is the big one where they tell us if or how much cancer is still in Dad's body.  Tuesday-  meeting with the surgeon.  Wednesday-Scheduled surgery.  

Lots happening, check back regularly for updates!!!

SURGERY DATE CHANGED!

Latest news:  Surgery date has changed.  The new date is May 12th.

Update and Surgery Date

Total post drought, huh?  No news is good news folks!  Don't you know that!?

Spring is here!  Isn't it wonderful? When I think of Spring it just makes everything feel fresh and new... a rebirth of sorts.  It feels as though the dark winter has passed us (as dark as Texas winters get anyway) and now we are moving into a season all anew.  I suppose that is how our mindset has been lately.

We are in a new chapter of treatment.  It's a good one.  It involves stuffing dad's face with as much food as possible-- which has resulted in a 7 pound weight gain thus far for both Dad and myself-- and getting him a bit more buff and healthy before surgery.  My dad borrowed some of my husband's shorts because his waist size has shrunk quite a bit.  We are down to 34s and those are large!  Hopefully we can keep it where it's at.  I'm really going to have to rethink how I feel about my body if my dad starts being able to fit into MY pants.  Nevertheless, while he has lost a bunch of weight, he also has gained back 7 pounds in just a couple weeks and he doesn't look sickly or anything.

Easter weekend Mom and Dad went up to Dallas to visit those OTHER grandchildren.  That's right, 2/5 (almost 3/6... or 1/2 if you are simplifying your fractions) of their grandchildren are in Dallas and belong to my sister.  This is a picture of Dad and Kyra dying eggs together.  Miss those nieces of mine!

In other news Evan was home this past weekend and Pat (both my brothers) is here this week.  Of course, I neglect to get pictures of them with Dad as always, but they've been around.  Instead I treat you with more pictures of myself and Dad.  I've been making it my mission to harass Dad to work out.  He's wiped the floor with me playing racquetball a few times which I am finding quite embarrassing and is starting to effect my self esteem.  Nevertheless, it's really good and fun to play racquetball with my dad again.  Dad seems like his old self again, at least for now.  We are soaking up his 'normalcy' and aren't thinking about cancer so much right now, though it's there in our minds... and in dad's esophagus.

Surgery has changed to May 17th.  That's a Monday.  34 days away.

Radiation is OVER!!!

 Well friends and family, radiation is over!!! Yee haw!  Dad finished up his last proton therapy treatment on Thursday (sorry I am just now posting, but I do have a life... yeah, it's true).  I nagged my parents enough that they actually brought the camera and took pictures on the last day.  So, for your enjoyment, these are the pictures from the last day of Bill's radiation.

 This is the fancy certificate Dad got for finishing up radiation.  I don't really think of radiation as some sort of exciting celebration but I suppose the completion of a treatment that intrudes on your daily life so much is certainly something to celebrate.  Dad had to go for radiation treatments every day Monday through Friday.  The treatment itself only takes about ten minutes but it is a big chunk out of his day as he has to drive all the way down to MD Anderson and back plus whatever lines he has to wait in beforehand.  Some have asked why he has to go down to the main MD Anderson for the radiation and it is because of the specific type of treatment he was getting (proton therapy).  Plus, it's the best center for it and when you have cancer, you want the best.

 Billy boy ringing the gong!  Looks like he is being kind of timid as he is hitting it.  If it were me, I would be all into it.  I would use large gestures, putting my whole body into it and slam that gong so hard that the people in the next building over would hear it.  But, that's me and that's why my children are sure to become incredibly embarrassed of me.  Soon.

 Here is the radiation "team".  Apparently the radiation team consists of several girls in their 20's... must be part of the healing process.  Ha!  Seriously though, we are grateful to these ladies and the incredibly knowledgeable docs who picked, what we believe to be, the correct course of treatment.

These next two pictures are of my dad falling asleep while waiting....

 In the email my mom sent with these pictures she said she wasn't sure if I would want to include these... what is she talking about?  OF COURSE I DO!  Though I am slightly disappointed that we can't see drool coming out his mouth or that he didn't fall off that chair, but I am just one of those people who thinks that would have been funny.  It was nice to see these pictures as I was curious as to what the rooms looked like.  However, they are the same doctors waiting rooms that I have to wait in.  You'd think with all the money doctors are making these days that they would come up with some happier wall colors. 

Since radiation has been done....  Dad has been so happy.  He has snapped out of his "cancer 'tude" as mom and I have called it... it was just him being tired and uncomfortable all the time and being short with us.  He probably wouldn't agree but we are glad it has passed.  He can eat!!  It's coming back slowly, he hasn't eaten a whole cow yet or anything but it's coming back.  At church today he actually said he was hungry.  I haven't heard that in a long time so that was a most excellent sign.

In Dad's quest to "GET BUFF", he has been going to the gym.  He went last week for the first time in awhile and attended a barbell strength class.  My mom and I go to that class often in our own efforts to get lean and mean, but dad had never been.  Mom took him and his scrawny little self (he has lost some serious muscle mass.  I had never seen his legs that small.  Sadly, I think they were smaller than mine.  I told Dad that it looks like his head on my Uncle Rob's body).  Anyway, he lasted about fifteen minutes before he left the class.  His endurance just isn't really up there yet.  He'll get there though.  I think that for the first time back he did alright.  There was a guy who was teaching the class and I guess he gave dad a couple head nods of encouragement before Dad walked out.  I told Dad he should start wearing a shirt that says, "I have cancer so everything I can do is amazing".  I might have to find that instructor and tell him myself.. you know, defend my dad's manhood or something. :)  I keep telling him that if I had cancer, I would play it up as much as possible.  I wouldn't be able to do anything for myself as I would just use cancer as my excuse.  I'm a lot lazier than him though.

I am questioning whether or not to report the following as it embarrasses my mom and I quite a bit but I suppose for the sake of revealing how my dad is doing, I ought to share.  Yesterday my mom, my dad and myself went to the gym to play racquetball.  Mom and I play at least once a week together so we hold our own.  Well, the very first game dad spanked us.  I mean, by quite a bit.  We thought surely he would sit the next game out to recuperate, but he said he was good to go.  Second game, I won, but BARELY.  I was at game point for almost a half hour.  Finally I think I wore Dad down to the point where he was just out of gas.

I think that's what's going to happen... Slowly he will start building up that strength and endurance and then hopefully he will be as close to 100% as we can get him before surgery.  Even though mom and I were embarrassed that 'cancer boy' beat us... we sure were having fun playing racquetball with Dad again.  And now we will actually start playing and stop letting him win!!!

Chemo is OVER!

It has come to my attention... thanks to my aunts... that while most have enjoyed the added pictures to the blog, some of you might actually be wondering how DAD is doing.  Well, he is doing great!!  Chemo is over, port is out and he is finally free of the fanny--both pack and booty.  There really wasn't much to say about it.  It's kind of been the 'same old, same old' with getting chemo, feeling lowsy and feeling really tired.  

Yesterday the doctors took the pack back for the last time--I was saddened that he didn't get to keep it but apparently it is specially designed for a certain pump and wouldn't be good for much else.  They also took out the central line.  This was causing Dad some discomfort as it went up his arm, he could feel it right by his throat (which made eating even more uncomfortable) and down his chest.  There is something about having a foreign object in you that your body just doesn't like.  The port area was especially uncomfortable because he had broken out in some sort of a rash due to the adhesive or adhesive ointment that they used.  

Dad has certainly lost some weight since this whole thing began and before he started chemo he was feeling like his pounds lost were pretty ideal.  However, with chemo and feeling nauseous and not keeping too much food down, he did lose more.  He's mostly frustrated by his muscle loss.  Sooo....

So here is the plan.  After a couple more days of radiation Dad plans to hit the gym.  Hopefully this works out.  Like all of us, we all plan to hit the gym and pay the ridiculous gym prices to attain bodies like greek gods, but it sadly never comes to fruition.  But, he should be able to gain back some muscle tone.   This will help his body be stronger for surgery which is scheduled for May 13th.

Dad also hopes to gain back some L-Bs (pounds) by being able to eat more.  As of yesterday and today, he has been able to eat quite a bit more already and that is still with some left over chemo working its way through his system and radiation still going on.  So, this is looking very promising.

Also, the parents are each planning a mini trip here and there.  I'm glad that they will be able to get away for a little time.  I'm on dog duty--as always-- so I am going nowhere... just so you know.

As I mentioned before, surgery is schedule for mid May.  When they went over their appointments at MD Anderson, they looked the months over and have absolutely ZERO appointments in April!!  That is so awesome.  Perhaps a little normalcy.  That will be oh so nice.  This will also include a slow in blogging unless I decide to post how proud I am that I am beating my dad at racquetball... it doesn't happen often so I may have to take advantage of this post chemo/radiation while I can.  Yes, I am totally one of those people that will relish in my win even though I am beating some 52-year-old with cancer. 

I am anxious to see how Dad will feel after radiation.  When that finishes up, I will have to post about how he is feeling.  Since he has done the chemo and radiation together it's been hard to distinguish what side effects are from which treatment.  We are almost done with this part of treatment!!

Countdown to the end of chemo!!! 1 days left

30 Years ago next month Dad became a dad---woah, that's a long time.  We love him.  He's been a good dad; Nay, a great one.  We are lucky kids... you know, for the most part.  There was the frequent adolescent embarrassment of our parents, Dad's sense of humor around our friends and his fashion over the years. :)

It was my assumption that when I started this blog that I would try my best to keep my siblings private.  After all, they usually prefer to not associate themselves with all of my weirdness.  I am usually embarrassing to them.  If I post something about them, they will have to claim me as theirs and I am not sure they are up for that not knowing what I will expose on this blog.  So, yesterday, when mom asked why I hadn't included any pictures of the other kids, I thought that this was just the post to make it happen.  So, Kim, Pat and Evan... if you are embarrassed by me in this post... it's mom's fault.

Ah, it all started here.  The birth of Kimberly... (30 next month... have I mentioned that yet?)-- Anyway, it's gotta be said that my parentals look pretty dang good in this picture--mom especially-- after just having their first child.  For some reason they gained a lot less weight for their first baby than Dan and I did.  Kim tells me that those first two years were the happiest of her life... why would that be?

Two years later came moi-Erin-.  I was cute and small once, it's true.  I can't help but notice that my dad is clutching  that dog so lovingly and tenderly.  He's even leaning toward the dog.  Hmf.  Well, at least I am looking cute and I must have given my parents lots of sleepless nights because the hair situation for my dad sure did change from this picture to the next...

My brother Pat was born in 1987.  That face is still totally him.... I am speaking of both my brother and my dad when I say that.  Nice Navy duds!  By number three, you get kind of tired of holding those babies and just park them wherever they'll fit I guess.

Here is Dad holding Evan for his first hair cut.  Evan is the fourth child, so you know that means that there are practically zero baby pictures of him and even less of just he and my dad.  But don't feel too sorry for him.  Now there are five bazillion pictures of Evan and hardly any of the rest of us. 

Now some more recent photos:

Dad and Evan on a cruise... like I said, don't feel bad for Evan... they've made up for the lack of baby pictures.  My parents have taken Evan on cruises and international vacations.  They've never taken me on a cruise and I've driven through Canada on my way to Michigan.  I know, I am a total globetrotter.  (this picture totally became about me, didn't it?)

Pat and Dad at Medieval Times.

Me and Dad.  I know, most of you are wondering if I look normal.  Most of the time, no.  As mentioned before, I am sort of an annoyer so it's always funny to me how my dad puts up with it.  He's putting up with it in this picture.

Kim and Dad.  Proud Papa in this picture!  This is Kim receiving her Masters degree.

I won't go on and on, but just so you know... it's good to have a dad like ours.

Chemo and pick line being removed Friday afternoon!  I will give an update about that tomorrow!

Countdown to the end of chemo!!! 2 days left

 My dad served in the Navy for 22 years.  He is retired--11 or 12 years ago now.  He joined after high school and continues to try to convince me that the smartest people are in the Navy branch of the military.  I was almost believing him until that Navy reality show came on and now I'm not so sure.  Seriously though, I am really glad that my dad joined the military.  It really has shaped him, our family and each of us as individuals and given us a real sense of patriotism.  Hardly a day goes by that I don't personally think about how fortunate I am to live in this country and how grateful I am for the freedom it affords me and my family.  I think all that comes from my dad's service.

This is the beginning (notice we are still in black and white...seriously?).  1976.  Dad's initiation and the end to his stylish coif of hair.  Shortly after that it was buzzed for boot camp.  I can tell by how he is standing and looking that he is pretty excited about his joining and I am actually feeling proud of him for that very moment just looking at this picture.  Joining the military is a pretty big deal and I feel fortunate that he (and my mom) made that choice.

Ah, a man in a uniform... even if it is my dad, he isn't such an unfortunate looking fellow in this picture.  Now I am not meaning to be too prideful here, but I really am proud of my dad and hope I can instill my children the values that were instilled in each of us kids because of my dad's service in the military. My dad's kind of a big deal you know--- well to me at least.

When I was 8, my mom, my sister and I were able to board the USS Carl Vinson aircraft carrier and cruise with it from Bremerton, WA to California.  Pretty awesome and certainly a once in a life opportunity.  I have a horrid memory, but I remember a few things vividly:

• My dad was an officer at the time so we were able to dine in the officer's dining room.  The other levels of people either got the cafeteria style or fast food looking style.  I found that interesting, but paid little attention as I downed at least 10 gallons of chocolate milk only served in the officer's dining room.  Fondest memory of this trip.
• The "dog machine".  That's what they called the ice cream machine aboard.
• My sister crushing on all the young military guys whose responsibility it was to watch us
• Going under the Bay bridge and the Golden Gate Bridge
• Getting lost.  I found someone to help me but he made me wait until he finished his rounds before returning me.  It was like an hour and at 8 that is an eternity.  This ship was huge, you would have gotten lost too.
• A lot of ladders and uncomfortable bunk beds

Thanks for serving in the military Dad!  Ya done good!

Countdown to the end of chemo!!! 3 days left

I'm calling the following pictures "The Glory Days" as these are all pictures of my dad (and my mom) during the high school years.  Something you ought to notice in these pictures is how my dad has a thick head of hair--not that you wouldn't notice it... it was the 70's.  His hair is exactly like my brother Evan's hair so lots (or little) for Evan to look forward to.  Well, probably not as my mom's dad still has his locks and Dad's hair was already in recession by the time he was Evan's age.

Football!!!  Here's dad doing what he loved best in high school---you know, when he wasn't making out in photo booths with my mom.  My dad has one grandson (mine) and another on the way (my sisters') and so I think more football could be in the future.  Sometimes on Turkey Day my dad will go out and play in the morning with people from church.  He goes all out and practically kills himself (along with the other middle aged men who attend) just to keep up with all the youngins.  It's fun to hear stories of my dad playing.  He has an old black and white jersey that all of us kids have worn around the house at some point and it always makes me smile when he wears it.  He wore it Friday morning when I went over for a pancake breakfast.

Alright, alright... here is a picture of moi sporting the jersey (and some pretty sweet roller skates).  This picture is kind of blurry but I can already tell the jersey was a lot less "holy" back then.

PROM!  My parents met each other in second grade.  It's a little fuzzy to us kids when they actually started dating or if they ever dated anyone else.  My dad said that I should definitely include this prom picture because he said, "Your mom was looking pretty hot"--egh, ugh... sorry, I threw up a little in my mouth right then.  Anyway, my dad is wearing a pink suit.  Even back then I can't imagine that was the best fashion direction to go.  I mean, my mom looks timeless, but my dad... *sigh*.  That whole ensemble is screaming for me to make fun of him.  The ruffles, that tie, and.... is that a ring on his left ring finger!?  Woah, I think it is.  If that is a promise ring I might have to be revived after dying from laughter.  Well, maybe it's just a school ring or something, but the left finger is kind of suspicious.  Anyway, it's probably good we can't see his feet because I can only imagine what shoes were worn to match this pink suit.

Ah, Senior picture.  For me, I look at this and see how very much my brothers look like my dad.  Each of them took different characteristics from my dad but I can see both of them in this picture.  Also, I know that the hair is real in this picture--all of it, sideburns and eyebrows included--but seriously, it looks a little like a toupee.  Well, if I can look past all that and that ruffle shirt, I can see that my dad is a pretty handsome guy.  In fact, I don't think he has changed much at all.  He still pretty much looks like this to us.

3 days left!  Hallelujah!!