Nothing New Really

So not much has changed after seeing the new doc. They for sure have decided to continue going to Huntsmans, which I am happy about. The doctor wanted to get a hold of the bioptsy results before starting anything, so they have another appointment next week where they will hopefully get the chemo started since it will be almost 1 month since learning about the cancer. Also, they are considering trying an experimental drug, but that's about all the new info we've gotten so far.

PET Scan Results

We got the result from my dads PET Scan and the news wasn't what we had hoped for. It showed that there is a large tumor in his Pancreas. So, he technically has Pancreatic cancer that has spread to the liver. The doctor didn't say much about it except that the treatment and the outcome remains the same. My parents decided to put off the chemo until next week after they get a second opinion from Huntsman Cancer Institute, (which is on monday). Because of insurance coverage, all of my dads tests have to be done at Huntmans and while there they felt there was a better support system and just overall felt better there, which is why they decided to get a second opinion from them. Things will probably be the same, but if they feel better about Huntsmans, then I think they are better off going there even if results will be the same. All the info I have now is from internet research, so I will wait to go into more detail once the doctor has explained more about my dads individual situation.

Trials

Ok, so as many of you know, my dad was diagnosed with liver cancer almost 2 weeks ago. Cancer...what a scary word. It is all around us and probably everyone out there knows someone who has been affected by it or knows someone who is going through it or has gone through it. In this day and age you think there are cures and many ways to beat it through some long hard roads. Well, in my dads situation there is only 1 cure...a liver transplant. Also that cure is pretty rare because the cancer usually spreads before a liver becomes available. In some types of liver cancer there are more options but the type of cancer my dad has is pretty rare. He has over 20 tumors throughout his whole liver and they have no idea what caused it. Usually, liver cancer comes from somewhere, such as, the stomach, prostate, gallbladder, etc. From what they can tell right now, it is only in the liver and thats where it originated from. We will find out for sure later this week when he gets the results of his PET Scan. My dad starts chemo on friday and we're hoping that is will start shrinking the tumors and keep them from spreading. The type of chemo he will be on doesn't usually make people really sick or make them lose their hair, so we're really hoping it works good so he can have a good quality of life while he is on it. How long my dad has left depends on how well the chemo works and how long it works for. The guesstimated time frame is 6 to 18 months. But like I said, it's a guessing game. No one knows when my dads time is up except for God. It's that way for all of us. Some people with liver cancer have been told they have 6 months and they last 5 years (that's about the max). So really we just don't know. There is also still that small miracle of a liver transplant as long as the chemo keeps the cancer from spreading. It is in Gods hands. I love my dad so much and this is the hardest trial I have ever had to go through, but my faith will get me through it. Now more than ever I am so grateful for the knowlege of eternal families and life after death. I can't imagine going through this without my knowlegde of the gospel and without a loving Heavenly Father who hears and answers my prayers. I don't want to lose my dad and I'm not ready to at all, but what I know and feel will get me through this. It will be a hard road no matter which way this goes, but I have an eternal family either way. This reality of how mortal we all are has helped me to realize how much more I need to do, how much better I need to be, so that I can have those blessings. My dad is the best dad in the world and I love him more than words can express and I would do anything for him. His faith and example has gotten me through some tough times in the past and I'm sure many more in the future. I will always cherish the time we do have left together as well as the time I have with others I love. Thank you all for you love and support during this time. All of your prayers are more appreciated than you know. It's helps to know how many people out there care.