Hello internet world,
I feel like every post begins with me apologizing for lack of consistently updating: if I could be fired from being a blogger, I probably would be. (Just love me for who I am!) Anyway, I have much to tell you all about. First and foremost, my dad's CT scan came back negative! He has no traces that the cancer has spread anywhere and there are no growths or tumors to be concerned about. With that being said, the scan is very thorough and did pick up a tiny mass around the tail of his pancreas, where it connects with his small intestines. It seems to be the very same spot where they had to go back in for a second surgery, and reattach so the nurse and the doctor are extremely confident that it is just scar tissue and nothing else. Just as a precaution, they will be doing more scans and keeping an eye on the mass, though. We just feel incredibly blessed, it was such a rare thing that my dad had a tumor that just so happened to wrap around his bile duct, making him turn yellow and notice something was wrong. So many people with this disease have absolutely no idea and by the time they do, it is way too late. We are just so so so lucky that all of these events happened just so, and that he was healthy, young and strong enough to undergo one of the most invasive surgeries.
Anyway, after receiving the great news, Dr. Greco started my dad off on Gemzar. He will have treatments once a week, for three weeks in a row and one week off for the next four months. The chemo drug was administered in this big, open room, with a good amount of people, books, magazines, t.v. and chairs for the patients and family. We felt very comfortable and a part of a big community there. The nurse who assisted us made us feel at home and gave us a good deal of information on the side effects, home care and everything else under the sun. (My dad especially liked her, smiled and nodded the whole time, not listening to a word she said, ha!) She explained that chemotherapy is literally a poison, and should be treated as such. Once my dad gets his Gemzar treatment, for the next two days, all of his bodily fluids are considered poisonous. So all of his laundry has to be washed seperately from others, (using gloves to handle) he has to flush the toilet after he goes twice, etc. etc. My dad, always making light of things, has coined himself the Toxic Avenger, and claims he will kill all of my sister's weeds outside of her house by peeing on them, hahaha.
His chemo treatments only lasts for 45 minutes, with 15 minutes of steroid injections after. After his first, he felt absolutely fine, a little bit cocky afterwards (to be honest) and insisted on driving. We went to a local thrift store where he tried on and bought a bunch of pants, then to an Italian restaurant where we ordered spaghetti and meatballs. The marinara and spice of the sauce proved to be too much for his stomach, and later on that day, he started feeling pains. The next day and day after, he started feeling the effects of Gemzar. The nurse had warned us that chemo usually doesn't take effect until the next 2 days or so.. It seems that with each day, he feels better and better. The side effects are still very mild, he just feels very fatigued and has slept often. I just thank god he isn't throwing up or feeling any nausea (he can't afford to lose any weight.)
And so it has begun: 1 treatment down, 11 more to go. That's just how you have to look at it. One day at a time. Through all of this, I know I'm going to really enjoy the beautiful scenic drive that is between Memphis and Nashville, quality alone time with my dad, having momentous music moments (he brought me up on the classics) and of course, getting to spend time with my sister's family. Things happen the way they're supposed to (I don't know about happening for a certain reason) All you can do is make the most of it. Behind every cloud, the sun is just waiting to shine down on you.
May a warm yellow light pour over you in the coldest gray of days,
Kate
