Dad started chemo today (01/17/05)
- Thread starter lowery21
- Start date
Thank you lostman. Well, my dad will be going to the MD Anderson center in Houston some time this week. The radiologist said that there was something there, but didn't want to get into it. Basically, if it is cancer, then he would have to go Houston and have another test anyways. So the thought is, why "stir it up"? I'll let you guys know something when I do. Thanks for your continued prayers.
longhornbell
100+ Posts
Prayers for Dad, you and the family.
Thank you all for your prayers. It means a lot to me. My father and mother went to MD Anderson today, they are doing tests (blood and cat-scan tomorrow), spending the night in stink-town (apologies to Houstonophiles). Some background. The mass is on the top part of his right thigh. He said that he pulled that muscle getting up from the couch several months ago, and it just kind of got hard. Being a man, he didn't do anything about it. Well, my mother pats his leg two weeks ago. "What is that?". Followed closely I'm sure by, "Your Dr. appointment is on...." They told my father that they plan to do the biopsy now after Christmas
. After that, they will come up with a plan. They'll meet with a board and will come up with the best plan (chemo, or radiation if needed). Still at this point I guess it could be anything, but I am trying to prepare myself for the worst. If anybody has any experience with this, I would really appreciate news, thoughts, experience. You can pm me if you like.
I feel the need to tell you about my father. Bare with me. This man volunteered for Vietnam twice, facing death everyday. His father passed while he was there. When he came back, he was transferred to LUKE Air Force Base in Phoenix to fly F-15s. While there, living in a singles apartment, my father met another transplanted Texan, my mother. They married in 1973. It has always been amazing to me how things work. Both of them came from longtime Texan families, yet met and fell in love on foreign soil. My father was second in line for a pilot exchange program that would send him to Germany to teach them how to fly the F-4's America had sold them. Funny thing happened, the couple that was to go got pregnant. So my father slid into Cougars spot kind of. Well, by the time they got to Germany, my mother was pregnant with me. I was born there in 1976. They took me all over Europe but I remember none of it, too young. After Germany, my father was detached to the Army and he flew Generals around in Alabama. My wonderful brother was born there in 1979. In 1980, back with the Air Force, we moved back to Arizona where we stayed for four more years (my first swimming pool!). In 84 my father turned 40 and retired from flying fighters. My brother Patrick and I were there for his last military flight. So cool. Though we didn't understand the military jargon at the time, my father talked to us while we were in the tower. I will always wish I that I had known what he had said. He talked so fast. For Red Dawn fans, my father was a Lt. Colonel at LUKE during that time, I always thought that cool. Anyways, after that he told them to "send him home" to retire. He brought us home to Austin in 1985, and "flew a desk" at Bergstrom until he could get "20 years in" in the Air Force. His retirement was amazing. Funny thing....rummaging through the garage last Christmas I came across all of his metals and awards. Distinguished Flying Cross and the like. I had no idea, he doesn't talk about them; he doesn't like to talk about Vietnam. After having not flown for four years my father got a job with Southwest Airlines, an unheard of feat. He retired a Captain the May before last when he turned 60. There were many pilots there talking about how my father "did it right". But he wasn't done flying. Last year, he got a job flying someone's private 737, a sweet retirement job. Some of you know that I am now a pilot. I'm still training, working on my CFI's. However, about 6 months ago, I had a chance to share a cockpit with my father, the single greatest moment of my life.
This is all a bunch of crap I know you don't care about; I just wanted to type it out.
My father is the single greatest man I have ever met. He steered me though puberty, taught me how to tackle, taught me how to be a man, taught me how to give the hook'em horns. He taught me how to treat a lady, he taught me how to be respectful, taught me how to drink. Dad introduced me to Jerry Jeff, Willie Nelson, Gruene Hall, and Shiner. He is honest, he is kind, he is strong. If I lose him, I'll be lost. There isn't enough time, I'm not ready.
I feel the need to tell you about my father. Bare with me. This man volunteered for Vietnam twice, facing death everyday. His father passed while he was there. When he came back, he was transferred to LUKE Air Force Base in Phoenix to fly F-15s. While there, living in a singles apartment, my father met another transplanted Texan, my mother. They married in 1973. It has always been amazing to me how things work. Both of them came from longtime Texan families, yet met and fell in love on foreign soil. My father was second in line for a pilot exchange program that would send him to Germany to teach them how to fly the F-4's America had sold them. Funny thing happened, the couple that was to go got pregnant. So my father slid into Cougars spot kind of. Well, by the time they got to Germany, my mother was pregnant with me. I was born there in 1976. They took me all over Europe but I remember none of it, too young. After Germany, my father was detached to the Army and he flew Generals around in Alabama. My wonderful brother was born there in 1979. In 1980, back with the Air Force, we moved back to Arizona where we stayed for four more years (my first swimming pool!). In 84 my father turned 40 and retired from flying fighters. My brother Patrick and I were there for his last military flight. So cool. Though we didn't understand the military jargon at the time, my father talked to us while we were in the tower. I will always wish I that I had known what he had said. He talked so fast. For Red Dawn fans, my father was a Lt. Colonel at LUKE during that time, I always thought that cool. Anyways, after that he told them to "send him home" to retire. He brought us home to Austin in 1985, and "flew a desk" at Bergstrom until he could get "20 years in" in the Air Force. His retirement was amazing. Funny thing....rummaging through the garage last Christmas I came across all of his metals and awards. Distinguished Flying Cross and the like. I had no idea, he doesn't talk about them; he doesn't like to talk about Vietnam. After having not flown for four years my father got a job with Southwest Airlines, an unheard of feat. He retired a Captain the May before last when he turned 60. There were many pilots there talking about how my father "did it right". But he wasn't done flying. Last year, he got a job flying someone's private 737, a sweet retirement job. Some of you know that I am now a pilot. I'm still training, working on my CFI's. However, about 6 months ago, I had a chance to share a cockpit with my father, the single greatest moment of my life.
This is all a bunch of crap I know you don't care about; I just wanted to type it out.
My father is the single greatest man I have ever met. He steered me though puberty, taught me how to tackle, taught me how to be a man, taught me how to give the hook'em horns. He taught me how to treat a lady, he taught me how to be respectful, taught me how to drink. Dad introduced me to Jerry Jeff, Willie Nelson, Gruene Hall, and Shiner. He is honest, he is kind, he is strong. If I lose him, I'll be lost. There isn't enough time, I'm not ready.
lowery, as I told you in the PM -- I'm here for you. I can relate to the fears and sentiments. Your dad is a huge man to you. Mine is to me, too. My dad has spent his whole adult life serving the public, both vocationally, and on his own time. I totally relate.
All will be well. I am thankful for the fact that this mass was found, and I pray that God will provide healing---and that the stresses on your family will not be so great.
All will be well. I am thankful for the fact that this mass was found, and I pray that God will provide healing---and that the stresses on your family will not be so great.
We found out today that my father in fact has cancer. The good news is that the C.T. scan and chest x-ray were clean. Also, dad said that the Dr's said the malignant mass was borderline on mandatory chemo. So, I guess that is good. Absolutely not what we wanted to hear, but it could be much worse. We now know what we are fighting.
One thing is for certain, the prayers have helped. My family is aware of all the prayers and that has helped morale immensely(besides the other obvious benifits). So please keep praying.
Thank you all so much. I'm convinced prayers and optimisim beats this thing.
Plus, Mom and Dad flew to Alabama to watch the Rose Bowl with us. They didn't get to see my brother and his wife over Christmas, and they were in town. Good times.
One thing is for certain, the prayers have helped. My family is aware of all the prayers and that has helped morale immensely(besides the other obvious benifits). So please keep praying.
Thank you all so much. I'm convinced prayers and optimisim beats this thing.
Plus, Mom and Dad flew to Alabama to watch the Rose Bowl with us. They didn't get to see my brother and his wife over Christmas, and they were in town. Good times.
longhornbell
100+ Posts
that is good news. Count the blessings, big and small. My mother always considered her cancer a blessing in that it gave she and I time to resolve issues that hung between us. My prayers are with you and your family.
Dad started his first round of chemo today.
They've decided to take the most aggresive stance. Two rounds of chemo (4 on, 17 off...wearing a chemo fun pack during the day). After the first two rounds and some radiation they will look at the tumor in his leg to make sure( I guess) that the chemo is working. After that, they will remove the tumor and do two more rounds of chemo. As he says, he'll miss spring training, but be ready for fall!!
The Dr's have said that the tumor is the size at which they start to spread. They also found a tiny spot on his lung which could be anything. That is why they are being so aggresive. That being said, the Dr's also said that this tumor, while rare, is one of the better ones to have. Also in the good news department is that a cursory abdomin scan turned up nothing.
It really is hard to put into words what this forum has meant to me and my family. I thank you all so much for what you have done, and ask that you continue to pray.
They've decided to take the most aggresive stance. Two rounds of chemo (4 on, 17 off...wearing a chemo fun pack during the day). After the first two rounds and some radiation they will look at the tumor in his leg to make sure( I guess) that the chemo is working. After that, they will remove the tumor and do two more rounds of chemo. As he says, he'll miss spring training, but be ready for fall!!
The Dr's have said that the tumor is the size at which they start to spread. They also found a tiny spot on his lung which could be anything. That is why they are being so aggresive. That being said, the Dr's also said that this tumor, while rare, is one of the better ones to have. Also in the good news department is that a cursory abdomin scan turned up nothing.
It really is hard to put into words what this forum has meant to me and my family. I thank you all so much for what you have done, and ask that you continue to pray.
WillWork4Horns
100+ Posts
Chris always remember, attitudes are more important than facts. I can relate to You and your families situation because my Dad is a cancer Survivor. You can and will get through this with the help from God and your friends and family.I am praying for You and your family, God is good always
washparkhorn
2,500+ Posts
My family's prayers are with you and your family.
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