Family update: Moms doctor called in a new medication to treat her C. Diff called Dificid that is supposed to be very effective. Shes only been on it one day. Soozi said she is sleeping longer periods of time without episodes so that is better news. However, Ruby has had diarrhea for about a week or so and yesterday they took her and a stool sample to the doctor only to learn that she has contracted C. Diff as well. Shes on antibiotics and while I was visiting this weekend was in seemingly good spirits and playful. Joe and Sooze says she doesnt play with her diapers and her immune system is fighting it pretty well. Nevertheless, its concerning, as Ruby is only two years old and this infection is highly contagious. Shes such a sweet baby. I hope she feels better. Dads preliminary biopsy results came back and hes been diagnosed with non-small cell lung cancer, sub type adenocarcinoma. Dad was supposed to be discharged Friday. His walk was off and they thought his speech sounded slurred so they ran a CT to make sure he did not have a mini stroke. On Saturday morning, the nurse said the notes indicated there were no signs of bleeding. Saturday afternoon, the oncologist relayed that they found a marble sized tumor on Dads brain stem and possibly another slightly above. Dads cancer is Stage 4. It has metastasized from his lungs to his spine, bones and now his brain. I was able to catch the oncologist early Sunday morning before Dad was discharged from the hospital and the time prognosis was terribly disheartening. Soozi is taking Dad to his doctors appointment tomorrow afternoon to get his detailed biopsy results. These are important because some specific types of cancer are more receptive to chemo than others. Adam has reached out to the Senior Medical Director of Oncology at Eli Lilly and gotten us a referral to meet with the Co-Director of Medical Oncology (also a practicing Oncologist) at Washington University School of Medicines Siteman Center Cancer Treatment program in Thursday for a consult and treatment plan. Adam says that Siteman Center may be able to offer cutting edge clinical trials that may not be available elsewhere (but would at least meet the medical care standard available). I am hopeful that there is something out there that can help us keep our Pops (your friend, uncle, brother, etc.) as we know him a little longer. Its difficult for Dad to tell people that hes dying. It makes him sad. He makes jokes about it sometimes, because thats how he deals with things so if you talk to him and that happens, dont be offended. Id let him initiate the jokes, though. You dont have to tap dance around him. He is still pretty much himself but he tires easily and as always, is a bit stubborn about accepting help. Soozi and I do and will continue to need help, though. As we learn more of what we can expect things to be like, well know more specifically what type of help well need. I will keep updating as more specifics become available. Thank you all for your support. It means so much to our family!
Posted on: Wed, 24 Sep 2014 04:24:10 +0000
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