The Dreaded "C" Word

I haven't posted any updates on my Dad in quite awhile, and there have been some pretty recent developments, so I thought I should. He was diagnosed with lung cancer about 2 years ago (I think it may have even been longer, because I don't think I was pregnant with Emma yet.) He had it surgically removed and all of his scans showed no signs of cancer. Several months ago, after having regular PET scans to detect it, we learned that his cancer was back, and in his "healthy" lung. The doctors felt pretty positive about his prognosis and prescribed chemotherapy.

He has undergone several months of chemo treatments and hasn't felt great through them, as was to be expected. He hasn't lost any hair, or vomited. However, he's got no energy, has had a terrible upset stomach, and has lost a ton of weight because of his lack of appetite and nausea. Throughout the chemo he would undergo scans to determine how well the chemo was working. The doctors felt fairly good about his treatment. After his last "big" chemo treatment, the doctors said that, while his tumors had not gotten any smaller, they were not growing either. This was good news and the doctors hoped that maintenance chemo treatments would keep the cancer stable.

Unfortunately, we found out on February 18th that this wasn't the case. His tumors had grown and had somewhat spread. The doctors don't feel that the chemo worked as well as they had hoped for because, if it did, this wouldn't have happened. Therefore, chemo was not another viable option. At this point there is only one possible treatment that may give him some more time. It's a very expensive pill regimen which has some nasty side effects. Many insurance companies will not cover it, so we were told to expect it to take weeks to be approved, if it would be at all. Luckily, my mom got a call the next day that the prescription was approved and he could start taking it the following day.

That little bottle of 30 pills would have cost over $4000 without insurance. Incredible. Dad started taking the pills a few days ago and has since had a lot of nausea, dizziness, and stomach cramps. He's a bit of a baby when it comes to stomach issues, so he's certain it's the end of the world. Men..... Because of the nausea, he's not been eating.

This morning, after speaking to his doctor, the doctor wanted to see him. They are taking him off of the pills for the next few days to see what happens. He's also got a new prescription (he's got more than I can count) for nausea. He also got to go sit through an hour and a half round of IV fluids, and gets to do the same tomorrow for dehydration. If he would quit being stubborn and drink something, we wouldn't be in this position. But, being the stubborn, hardheaded (Brad says he knows now where I get it from!) man that he is, he's still refusing to eat or drink anything.

Please keep him in your prayers right now. If you talk to him, please try to stay positive. He's well aware of how serious this is, and needs to have something to live for. We need him to get some energy back, start eating and drinking, and back on those pills so that he has a fighting chance of seeing his grand babies grow up some more. We have no clue as to where things will go from here, or of an exact prognosis or timeline. I'm devastated to think that there's a possibility that he may never get to meet Abby on this earth. Pregnancy is difficult. But trying to stay positive and enjoy this pregnancy as I know I should, is nearly impossible. I'm overjoyed that God has decided to entrust Brad and I with another blessing, but I wish he wasn't taking one away at the same time. Please pray.