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Well anyone who does not know me personally would not know the extent of the effect cancer has had on my life lately.
My uncle/godfather has been diagnosed with Stage 4 Lung Cancer and is currently undergoing chemotherapy treatments. This disease was diagnosed after a chest xray looking for pneumonia. He was not a smoker in his life.
My father who has already been mentioned in an earlier post (for prostate cancer) has now shown a growth on the right lower quadrant of his brain. It is of a fair size and is pushing the right grey matter into the left side. This is causing all sorts of symptoms which have severely altered the quality of his life. The PET scan that I requested at the onset of the prostate cancer would have diagnosed this mass months ago, but due to the narrow minded thoughts of the radiation oncologist and urologist, it was never done. It has also since been discovered that on several occasions when a scan should have been done on his brain, it was avoided. So the situation could have been resolved long ago, before it became a big deal. The radiation of the prostate has been postponed until the nature of this lesion is determined. A second MRI must be done (because the first one was not prescribed properly) which is very difficult due to my father being extremely claustrophobic. It is not until after we find out what type of lesion it is before we can discuss treatment.
Due to the past mistakes of trusted physicians, I now must accompany my parents to the doctor appointments to ensure that all bases are being covered. Trust in the physicians in the past may have now shortened my fathers life. We hope that the neurosurgeon we have chosen is our final salvation. Wish us luck.
Given the history my father has gone through (the Great Depression, WWII, hiding from Nazi’s, orphanage, being raised by extended family, going to sea @ 15, malaria, and the list goes on) we hope that the final years of his life can be experiences with peace and happiness. Not pain and suffering. For those who believe in a higher power, please say a prayer.
Anyone who knows my family knows the effect that cancer has had on it. I personally have had it, my mother and now my father, again. This would be his third time. The first time he handled the radiation well. The second time the radiation and chemo nearly took him. Lets just say they changed him for life. But my father is very strong and stubborn and wouldn’t let it get the best of him. The last time they gave him 6 months and it has been 5 years and still kicking.
But this one is in an entirely new area. He is now 76 years old. They say it can be treated with hormone treatments and specialized radation, so we are hopeful. He is, of course, going to Fox Chase Cancer Center (FCCC) for a second opinion and maybe a third with a specialist in our area, who used to run that department at FCCC. I am just very frustrated. I work for a Doctor of Internal Medicine. So I have seen this disease run past my desk before. I know how other doctors have treated it. I know of additional testing that needs to be done to ensure that it has not spread outside of the area (which they said it has not, but he has not had the testing.) I keep trying to push my parents to request this testing but feel I am being shushed.
I know he was just diagnosed yesterday, but if it were me I would be scheduling these tests right away. Sorry if I am seeming morbid. I just would want all of the information up front and then we can deal with it. I just needed to get it off my chest.
Update: Family listened but doctor still will not do testing I think is necessary. And life goes on…
