Friday, my dad went in to have his CT scan. If you remember, we thought all was okay, the radiologist had commented on just HOW MANY gallstones were in his gallbladder. We thought that that (a gallstone) was what was blocking his duct, causing the bile build up in his body. So, we weren't too worried when he went in for his CT scan.
The radiologist, who performed the CT scan at the hospital, told them (my parents) that he would send the results to the Dr. office and they would probably call them on Monday to let them know of the results. My parents left the hospital and went to lunch. Before they got home the Dr. was calling and wanted them to come in and see him. NOT. A. GOOD. SIGN. My mom, freaking out, called my brother to hurry home from work and to meet them at the Dr. office. He called me on route and told me what was up... and that he would call me as soon as he knew more. THAT WAS THE LONGEST HOUR AND TEN MINUTES OF MY LIFE.
He called back.
My dad was diagnosed with Cholangiocarcinoma, Klatskin tumors. It is a cancer of the bile duct. You can click HERE to read more about it. (Scroll to the bottom where it talks about Klatskin tumors).
When my brother arrived at the Dr. office my parents were just pulling out of the parking lot. My mom TRIED to tell him what she could remember but she was sobbing and could hardly talk (or remember what his Dr. had told them) so my dad and brother went back into the Dr. office. My family LOVES his Dr. He cried and hugged each of them... He gave them a print out about this type of cancer. Dirk (my brother) basically told me that the Dr. said that this type of cancer is very rare. It is an ugly cancer. It does not respond to chemo or radiation. The tumor is blocking the duct and so tomorrow they are going to go in and put in a stent so that the bile can get through. They will also do a biopsy to see if it is in the liver, etc.
So, we wait... patiently... for more info...
The Dr. did say that if they cut out the tumor it WILL grow back.
But, wouldn't it would give him more time?!! ...not sure how fast it would grow back etc... Anyway, we are fasting and praying tomorrow that it has not spread and that it is operable! THANK YOU once again for all your kind words and prayers!!! You are the best!!! (I feel bad, I know that MANY of you are also struggling with health issues... whether it is your or your family... you are in our prayers too!!!) Life is short and we don't know what each day holds. Hug your family... hug your friends... tell them you love them!
THANK YOU ONCE AGAIN!!! Every word of kindness means SO very much!
P.S. I am SURE NO one from my parents ward reads my blog, LOL, but... I would like to add a THANK YOU to them anyway!!!!! A member of the RS Presidency came by and brought my mom a "hospital survival bag" tonight. In it was a blanket, chocolate, books, cards to write to family or friends, water bottles and more chocolate. VERY cute. VERY thoughtful. It just made me cry. It is hard being 10 hours away at this time. I will go but not sure when yet... once again, waiting for more info... anyway, my mom said, "We have a wonderful ward family, there were many hugs at church today and many dropped by after church to tell them of their love and prayers." This reminds me of the wonderful quote by Pres. Spencer W. Kimball. I am sure most of you have heard it, but it is a good reminder to us all... Spencer W. Kimball said, "God does notice us, and he watches over us. But it is usually through another person that he meets our needs." THANK YOU to my parents ward family!!!
18 comments:
Peace be with you.
I am touch that this man has so many that love him so deeply. He must have the love of Christ in his heart and he must share it often.
My Jim is sick right now also. I am worried. I have not blogged about it, because ... I just don't know what to say.
But this morning I asked him how he was feeling and he said fine, but in my mind I heard "With my fingers" and I started to laugh. Jim looks at me like I am crazy, but I really needed that laugh right then. Thank your dad for helping me through this.
I am so sorry for your pain and for his pain. Those words seem flat on this computer screen. There are no words.
M
you all are in my prayers! ♥
I am grateful that your family is surrounded by such great people. This is why I don't care much for the word cancer. I am sorry about the kind of cancer he has. The ugly word attached, does not sound good at all. I hope that the fasting and prayers will bring relief in what ever area your family is hoping for.
I am very sorry once again what your dad is facing. Prayers will be said.
My dad's cancer is prostate. They have come a long ways and he is very healthy. His radiation is half over at the end of this week. Thanks for asking me. :)
You are on my mind and thanks for being willing to help another during this time. The love train wouldn't be the same without you.
Shaila - I am so heartsick for you and your family. This is one of my biggest nightmares comes to life for you and I can't even begin to imagine all that you are going through.
You are such a strong person spiritually that I know you are looking for and finding peace from heavenly sources, and I will continue to add my prayers to yours.
I am just so sorry you all have to go through this. Hugs and love - Janell
ps - what a great idea about a hospital survival bag - I think I just might steal that idea and make one for William and one for my dad - it's going to stink for them to just wait around while I'm in la la land.
Shaila....
First of all I am so glad I am only on probation! Ü
I am fasting for/with you today! Love you tons!
Shaila....I am fasting also. I am claiming 1 John 5:14-15 "And this is the confidence which we have before Him, tht, if we ask anything acording to His will, He hears us. And we know that He hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests which we have asked from Him."
I am praying for peace for all and wisdom for the Doctors. Eph. says God is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all we ask or think. He is a BIG GOD!!! He knows every hair of our head. Go back to my blog and read about Tony Snow's testimony of cancer...it is comforting. I love you and wish I was closer. Aunt Wilma
when there are no words comparable to how I feel, just know that my thoughts and prayers are with you all. Calm yourself, and let it all settle, and then let the spirit whisper what you need to do. Someone in your parents ward has spent some time in a hospital by a bedside. I spent months by a bedside, praying and smelling and crying, and hungry. I know exactly what to put in a survival kit. There's more I will share later.
Hi Shaila,
I have also joined you in prayer & fasting. I am letting my family know and will ask them to join us in praying from Uncle James and all of your family. love, Tonya
My heart goes out to you and your wonderful family... We will be praying for you guys, let us know if there is anything we can do.
So sorry Shaila...prayers and hugs are being sent your way.
I'm so sorry Shaila...we'll continue our prayers. It is so good at times like these to have supportive family and friends. And It's remarkable to see the bonding that takes place in our wards. The "brother" "sister" thing isn't just something we call each other...It is the way we live. Take care
Oh Shaila! Yeesh. My face is wet and my heart is broken for you. Cancer is a word that I truly fear. I had originally planned a few minutes ago to leave you a scolding comment about how I had no idea you had a blog! I found you through Tenille this morning and was so excited to see your page. It is beautiful with awesome quotes and great info. You and Brad are just beautiful. I was surprised to see my name on your blog list and was going to scold you for not telling me about your blog (if you did via email and I am stuck on stupid - I'm sorry!) but there is no way I can scold you now. As soon as my boys take their nap I am going to pray super hard and long for you and your family. Coincidentally the RS lesson yesterday in my ward was on meaningful prayer so I feel better prepared today. Please, please let me know if there is anything I can help you with here in town. I miss you and the old ward a lot. Hang in there. You are a strong daughter of God. I'm sure it's hard to live far away from your parents but Heavenly Father knew that we needed you here! Huge love and hugs!
Amber Bain
Mechelle! Why didnt you tell us... we can all be praying for Jim!!! Know that I am!!! AND for you!!! Tell us... we are there for you! Seriously someone mentioned how wonderful it is to have blogging friends, it is SO SO SO true!!! Funny how we all become so close... Glad you could have a little laugh. Laughter is good medicine! THANK YOU for your sweet words!
Thank you Merrianne, I know He hears them... and the more the better!
Jan, I hope your dad is dealing with the radiation well! He TOO is on our prayer list!!! Again, you are an inspiration!
Frumpy. Here you go again... always thinking of OTHERS! You are awesome! Sounds like Mother Goose has some more ideas for us!!! SHARE MG!
Wilma & Pam, thank you for the phone calls... and for fasting and praying with us!
Mother Goose! Seriously, SHARE!!! I love the way you said calm yourself... sometimes it seems so hard and yet other times, it works so well. I am feeling good today!
Tonya, it was SO good to hear from you! YOU KNOW OH SO WELL WHAT WE ARE GOING THROUGH!!! Brenda emailed me too!
Jessica, Scrappy, Tammy THANK YOU... thank you for the hugs!
Nikki, you are SO right... it isnt just something we call each other! SO TRUE!
Amber, you are too funny! I love you! Thank you!!!
PS My dad is in recovery... the scope didnt work. They are going to try it again at LDS Hospital in SLC Wed morning at 7 am
My name is Wayne Parsons and I live in Honolulu. My wife just died of cholangiocarcinoma in March. Over the course of 18 months we learned many things about this disease and one of them is that Dr. Steven Rosen, M.d. at mayo in Rochester has developed a cure. Call him immediately and send him the scans of the tumor. The treatment is called neo-adjuvant chemo - radiation followed by liver transplant. They also do this at Washington University in St. Louis (Dr. William Chapman) and at the University of Nebraska. If ( and it is a big "if") a patient makes it through transplant they project a cure rate in excess of 50% and perhaps as high as 80%. Please also considen calling Dr. Andrew Kennedy at Wake Radiology in Cary, NC near Duke. He eliminated my wife's tumor in a two hour out-patient procedure using yttrium-90 infused resin microspheres (called radioembolization). My wife's cancer spread to her peritoneum before shortly before liver transplant in St. Louis. Heartbreaking! Then we went to cary, NC anbd Dr. Kennedy wiped out the tumor in a two hour procedure. That was month after the aborted liver transplant in St. Louis. But when my wife was first diagnosed with a 3 cm Klatskin tumor 9 months earlier I supsect she would have succeeded in the liver transplant if she had immediately had the radioembolization procedure and then gone for transplant. Dr. Rosen at Mayo clinic created tghis protocol and he and Dr. Chapman (both liver surgeons and famous leaders in their field) and the tops. They are also approachable. Everyone will want the scans and the biopsy report. Get lots of copies made and send them to Rosen, Chapman and Kennedy. They are easy to find on Google or I have the conatct info. I have more - much more. Don't accept the prognosis. You can call me at 808-753-0290 and I will share what I know.
Oh, Shaila. I'm so sorry for what you are going through right now. It seems so unfair and you handle it with such grace and strength. You are incredible. You and your family are in my prayers. I hope the scope works on Wednesday.
Wow, my neighbor was just diagnosed
with the same type of cancer as your dad. Not fun.
Shaila you are in my heart and in my prayers. You must be on an emotional roller coaster right now with your Dad's health, institute beginning, etc. You don't have to do it all and you don't have to do it all alone. Be kind to yourself. Love ya!
Shalia I am so sorry for all you are going through and not being able to be there makes it that much harder. Thank heavens for good ward members to give them support! I will keep you all in my prayers!
{{{{{{HUGS}}}}}}
Post a Comment