Thanks to everyone who has shown support for us during this time. We certainly appreciate your expressions of kindness and even silent prayers that have gone up on Dad's behalf.
The doctors feel that the primary site for the cancer is in the lung. The mass there is about 6cm x 5cm x 4cm (so quite significant). They believe that the cancer has then spread to form a tumour on his spine.
For much of the past week Dad has been pretty heavily sedated. On Monday this was because of the need to have him lay still for a radiation treatment. He was taken over to the Cancer Centre at Grand River Hospital and they were successful in giving the radiation. However, because he had difficulty being still on Sunday they opted to give him one larger (weekly) dose of radiation instead of the 5 daily doses they had originally planned. The radiation oncologist said this would equal about 80% of the radiation he would have gotten over the 5 day treatment.
On Tuesday he was also sedated more because he went back over to Grand River for an MRI of his spine so that they could have a more accurate picture of the tumour there. That was able to be done as well but it didn't really result in a lot more information regarding treatment.
On Wednesday Dad was much more awake and aware but this lead to him also being more anxious and confused. Beth, Mom, or myself tried to be with him most of the time but if he was left alone it seemed he forgot almost right away that we had been there and expressed to someone in a neighbouring bed that he couldn't understand why he was there. Dad has pulled out his IV site and his name band several times this week. If he was able to move his legs I'm sure he'd be trying to get out of bed as well. Fortunately he has slept pretty soundly each night. As well, we're thankful that he doesn't seem to be in very much pain.
Thursday was the day scheduled for a biopsy of the tumour in his lung, so he was again pretty drowsy for most of the day. The material they gathered from his lung will be sent off for testing (which will take up to a week) to determine the exact form of cancer they are looking at. However, this morning the doctor talked with us and said that he thinks it could be quite likely that the Cancer Centre will recommend that Dad not go ahead with chemotherapy treatment for the lung cancer. This is mostly based on his Alzheimer's diagnosis and the fact that he has been deteriorating physically.
We're grateful for Mom's sisters, who are coming down this coming week to provide extra support. Beth and I had been planning to go to our church camp next week and take along our granddaughter Lindsay for her first experience there. We'll have to see if that is still possible. I just got back from sitting with Dad for an hour (Friday afternoon) and he slept most of that time.
If anyone nearby wants to visit Dad (no pressure at all, I only include this for those who might already have been thinking about it) it might help to know that Mom is there most days at lunch and dinner times. Also, if you don't mind walking up the street, you can park in front of our house (57 Patricia) for free - you just need to grab one of the passes from our mailbox and hang it from your rear view mirror.
Thanks again for your care and concern!
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