Monday, July 16, 2012

Where I've Been Lately

First I would like to say thank you to all of you who have stuck with me lately. As you have noticed I have not been posting a whole lot and I don't have NEAR the giveaways going on as I feel like I should. About the time I started feeling good about writing this blog and participating in reviews and giveaways our family got some bad news.

My Dad had been complaining of stomach pain the first 2 weeks in June. He finally agreed to go to the ER b/c after numerous medicines and he wasn't any better. On my sisters birthday June 19th, he was admitted to the hospital and diagnosed with end stage liver cancer at the age of 52. We were taken by surprise. Not because we thought it couldn't happen to our family, but because he was fine up until June for the most part. We knew there were health issues but he was seeing his gastroenterologist every 3 months, so we figured things were okay.

We have since been to the ER on average of 3 times per week. He had a liter of fluid drawn off of his abdomen June 20th, and we went back on July 9th and have 6 more liters removed. We really don't know much more than he has liver cancer, he has at least 5 tumors, one of which is the size of a pool ball and 4 smaller ones. The Dr came in, looked at him and said "You have liver cancer, and 2 weeks to 2 months to live" and he walked back out the door. So with this being said, we have been at the hospital alot here lately. He is in the hospital now since Friday and we are hoping he will be released in a day or 2. He had to have 7 bands placed around his esophagus due to esophageal varicies and the blood that he wasn't throwing up was pooling in his colon and his chest area. He was given 2 liters of blood yesterday and was feeling much better today but we are just taking things one day at a time. Less than 10% of his liver is functioning. So what we are experiencing thus far is that his health is steadily changing. He was fine at 5pm Friday and feeling good, and by 7 he thought he was dying. He hasn't eaten a "real meal" in 2 months b/c it hurts him to eat. He's hungry but he just can't eat. SO.. with this said, I will still pop in and post a good deal that I may see but I take him to all appointments and any ER visits he may have to make. Right now he is priority. I truly appreciate you all sharing my posts that I am able to post and sticking with me through this difficult time.

Also, if any of you have experiences with this or any other type of cancer, PLEASE feel free to comment and let me know. We don't know what to expect at this point and as you can imagine, his Dr is not much help. He is not a candidate for surgery, biopsy, radiation, or anything so among other things, he has gone to an all natural / organic diet so his liver doesn't have to work so hard to process foods but we really don't know what else to do other than enjoy each day we have together.

Thanks Again! ~April

3 comments:

  1. Sorry about your dad. Its understandable why you haven't been here. I always believe family first.

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  2. i am sorry about your dad.and it's strange, but i have had stomach pain for about 4 months.there were days i was hungry, couldn't eat, diarhea,vomitting,nausea...and strangely it went away..or did it? my doctor ordered a colonoscopy, but i have no one to sit at the hospital for 3 hours waiting for my test to be done.I eat yogurt everyday and think that helped. All of this is in God's hands and if i can hekp you with advice, please let me know..am praying for you and your dad..PLEASE PRAY FOR ME ALSO.CUZ I REALLY DON'T KNOW ANYTHING......CHRIS

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  3. Thank you both. Chris, I will keep you in my prayers as well. Did they tell you it would be a 3 hour procedure? His usually takes no longer than 20 minutes. You really should try to plan it where you can get this done. It's quiet scary how fast things can change and if there is something wrong, maybe it can be caught early. Good Luck to you and keep me posted on how you are doing.

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