My dad

Life has taken on a new twist and a new focus.  My dad hasn’t been feeling quite himself this summer and has been doctoring but just couldn’t seem to get to the root of things.  Two weeks ago Mom called me and said she was taking Dad to the ER.  I was minutes from walking out the door to attend a funeral for one of Jay’s uncles so he went his way and I went mine that day. 

After spending the day in the ER they admitted Dad.  He spent the next week in the hospital following a ERCP procedure where they put a scope down his throat and wound its way to his liver, bile duct and pancreas.  They put a stent in his liver because something was obstructing his bile duct.  We learned later that week that he has a tumor around his bile duct.  His liver and pancreas levels were very high (pancreatitis) and his remaining time in the hospital spent trying to get his levels down. The following Monday he was discharged.

The plan for treatment at this time is to start chemo to get the size of the tumor to a size that would be safer to attempt to operate and remove it.  Currently the tumor is either involving or too close to a major vein and artery and much too difficult to try and remove.

Dad still struggles with some pain at times and some nausea – feeling nauseous has been something he’s been dealing with for months and is quite weary of this constant sick feeling.

Dad is far from the top of his game at the moment and hasn’t been open to visitors but tonight expressed a slight interest in possibly having some company on occasion.  Should you choose to visit please first call Mom to see how Dad’s day is going and whether he would be up to visitors.  It’s of vital importance to keep your visit short and quiet – he is very sensitive to loud talking.

But most of all we covet your prayers as we walk through this stage of life.  It is early in this stage and wisdom is needed for decisions that need to be made.