Dad

If you're not a personal friend of mine on Facebook or follow me on Twitter, you may be surprised to learn that I'm in MA.  I made an unexpected last minuted trip home due to my father's health late last week.

My dad was admitted to the ER on the Friday before Labor Day with a fever and high sugar levels.  Being a  diabetic, that's a problem.  They diagnosed him with an infection.  They kept him until late Monday evening and then sent him home.  He had a follow up appointment on Wednesday and they admitted him again.  I asked my mom if she needed me to come out and she immediately said yes.  I got online, found tickets, rearranged life in WA and was on a plane heading East in less than 24 hours.

I asked knowing she was going to say yes.  I'm so glad I came.  I didn't realize just how bad dad is.  I'm at complete peace about being here.  My parents need me right now.  Dad was so happy to see me.  My mom is slightly less stressed with me here.  I'm able to help shoulder some of the burden and she is feeling a little better.

When I first saw dad I was shocked.  He's jaundice and I have never seen anyone this yellow.  He could almost be called a glow worm he's so yellow.  You can't tell in the picture but he really is yellow.  He's also in a lot of pain and is very tired.  His color has gotten a little better during the past three days I've been here which is nice.  However he hasn't been feeling better which is a little discouraging.

Dad's been sick for about 22 years.  He's survived cancer three times- colon cancer twice and pancreatic cancer once.  It's a miracle that's he's alive.  The medical community cannot explain why he's still here.  Now his liver is failing.  He has cirrhosis due to his illnesses and medications.  We knew this was coming one day.  It's just very hard now that it's here.

He'll be getting a liver biopsy so they can figure out if the mass in his liver is a tumor or if it's just an infection.  There's also a growth is his stomach that they'll be biopsying.  They are using the word cancer so it's a possibility, one that doesn't surprise us.  His cancer has been going from organ to organ so it makes since that the liver might be next.

We're praying for doctors to have wisdom as dad has is procedure, comfort for dad that he will find relief from the pain and peace for Mom & I as we wait for results and wisdom to figure out what is best for dad (along with what he wants of course!)

Thank you for those of you that have checked in with me to see how he's doing and for your prayers.  Thank you for coming along side of us.  It's so hard to see a love one sick and knowing that others are praying means a lot.  Thank you.