Here is the journey so far.
I have found in dealing with things in other areas of my life a journal or blog has really helped so I hope you indulge me doing one about this. I will try to be as open and honest as I can not only about the medical side but also my emotional journey as I support my Dad through this. Easter 2010 - My Dad went into hospital as an emergency due to how bad his breathing was. He had nearly 4 litres of fluid drained which they took biopsies from but nothing came back conclusive for anything. It was weird even at this stage although the word cancer had not been mentioned by any health professionals I had a weird feeling / preminition that this was going to be the start of something bigger. Results came back but there was nothing conclusive in them! May 2010 - Dad back in hospital up in Manchester, had another load of fluid drained and they also did a broncoscopy and other tests to see what was there as all the xrays and scans have still not shown anything conclusive. They also sealed a hole in his lung lining to hopefully stop some of the effusion. thankfully at the moment Dad is actually reasonably 'normal' and apart from being a bit tired and breathless due to the fluid in his lungs you could believe that it is just a bad infection rather than anything else. At this point he is still under the chest specialist. Results are in, we have been told there is Cancer but the chest Dr hasn't given any details just refered us to the oncology dept. I feel in limbo and haven't caught up with the emotions yet, I can feel them in the background but they aren't raising their heads yet June 14th 2010 - the Dr has confirmed small cell lung cancer or adenocarcinoma, it has already spread and we have been told it is non curable. WOW that happened quickly from not know anything to you have this and we can't cure it in a short time. So more biopsies as they want to check for a certain gene mutation to taylor the best 'treatment' for him. Back in 2 weeks. Still not really feeling anything, just feel numb lots of information to take in and find out about. I went to visit Dad today and for the first time the emotions really hit me and I cried with him. I am sooo angry that this is happening and that he is going to have to go through all of this. I am angry that the cancer has chosen him. June 28th - Back for the results but they are not yet in so having to wait another week. Clinic really helpful though as I couldn't change my work that day so they changed the appointment so I can be there for support. Dad is really disappointed and down today, he doesn't understand the delays and is very much feeling that each additional wait is making a difference to him living or dying. It just shows me that he didn't take in what the Dr was saying, but I am glad he still feels life is an option as this will help him fight. July 5th - Back to the clinic tomorrow I really hope the results are in this time. I am so anxious I hope and pray that he has the mutation but deep down I have a feeling that this is not going to be the case. Dad has never made things easy in his life so I just think he isn't going to start now. July 6th - Results were back but not the way we hoped. Dad has not got the mutation so is going to be starting combination therapy next week. They have said that it will be a 4 dose treatment and they will hopefully be 3 weeks apart.
