The "C" Word
Well, it has been a long day. We received word today that the biopsy came back positive for cancer ... Squamous-cell carcinoma. Not what we wanted to hear, but not the worst kind of cancer either. Most cases of SCC are skin cancer, and the most common cases are men over 45 years of age who have had skin cancer. Oftentimes these cases are drinkers and/or smokers, but not always. Dad did both in his younger years, but not in excess. SCC can be caused by poisons and toxins which are mostly ingested in food. Apparently high levels of arsenic can be found in fish, chicken, mushrooms and rice ... Who knew?!
Well, it has been a long day. We received word today that the biopsy came back positive for cancer ... Squamous-cell carcinoma. Not what we wanted to hear, but not the worst kind of cancer either. Most cases of SCC are skin cancer, and the most common cases are men over 45 years of age who have had skin cancer. Oftentimes these cases are drinkers and/or smokers, but not always. Dad did both in his younger years, but not in excess. SCC can be caused by poisons and toxins which are mostly ingested in food. Apparently high levels of arsenic can be found in fish, chicken, mushrooms and rice ... Who knew?!
So, now that we know what it is, we have to wait to find out how bad it is. Once we find that out we find out options for treatment, or if there even are any. Oh, there are, but for an 88 year old man with Alzheimer's and diabetes? We absolutely LOVE the nurses who are caring for dad, and the doctors we have talked to are wonderful ... Well, all but one doctor and a nurse practitioner ... But I'm firing those two!!
The reason I mentioned dad's age is because it is becoming increasingly difficult for older people to receive proper health care, and God only knows how much worse it will get before it gets better. Insurance has become either too expensive, impossible to get, or too much red tape to get procedures approved. I hope things get straightened out before I am old!! I certainly don't blame the doctors. They work long hours, are often not appreciated, and must pay high insurance premiums to keep the ambulance chasers at bay.
Sorry ... I'll get off my soapbox now ... My brain hurts. My eyes hurt. My hair hurts. My body is numb. I have no appetite. I'd think I might be dehydrated, but I've been drinking water and tea all day. I cannot sleep. I cannot think about anything but my dad. And my mom. And my brother. Christy. Conrad. ... Okay, my family and how difficult the upcoming decisions might be ... But mostly, my dad.
You all ... My precious friends ... Have been holding us all up in prayer and we definitely feel it. We all appreciate it more than you know. Please continue to pray. Pray that the medical/surgical team will say they can do surgery to remove more of the tumor to make dad's airway more passable so he can breathe without a trach. Please pray for him to be strong enough to make it through the surgery. It's going to be a long road, but with you all helping to hold us up, perhaps we won't feel every bump.
Thank you, dear friends. Much love to you all.
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