Patrick Swayze was in the news today after it was announced he is suffering from pancreatic cancer. 10 days ago I would not have known one iota of information about this disease. However, 10 days ago it was confirmed through a biopsy that my dad has pancreatic cancer, and it has spread to his liver.
He has not been well for about 6 or 8 weeks, had a burst stomach ulcer, needed a lengthy op and blood transfusion of 9 units to get through it. then had a blood clot on the lung, and several in his feet and legs. As a result of the surgery and transfusion he has also had cellulitis and phlebitis in his legs, so bad that he is still barely able to walk.
It was during an endoscopy to check the ulcer that a doctor noticed irregularities on his liver. They did a full body scan, which didn’t show anything, and then biopsied his pancreas. We have been waiting 10 days for the result and got it confirmed yesterday, although having read all the symptoms of the disease, the confirmation was really just a formality.
I am in shock I suppose. I can’t get over the fact that 2 months ago my dad was fit and well, and now he is in hospital, about 2/3 of his original body weight, depressed, not eating and being sick and with a pretty bleak outlook. He is only 62. He is being generally quite accepting about it, both my grandfather and uncle died of cancer, and dad always said it was just a matter of time before it got him too. I think he thought he would have a bit more time though.
Until the sickness is under control and he has gained some weight, they are not going to start chemo, which I can understand, but I am worried about the possible delay in treatment affecting prognosis. I know he is not going to be cured, but only treated.
Sorry for waffling, I know I am not the first to go through this, but it just feels good to unburden some of my thoughts.
Tags: health