Daddy went to a surgeon at Emory Hospital on Wednesday. We were hoping he would be able to have surgery immediately, but it turns out the tumor is pressing on a pulmonary vein and a coronary artery. The surgeon said he’d have a 50/50 chance of removing it safely now. He has sent Daddy for short-term chemotherapy in hopes of shrinking the tumor. Daddy will go back in six weeks for reevaluation. The surgeon thinks the odds of safe and complete removal will be significantly improved at that point.
Unfortunately, my mother’s younger brother was also diagnosed with lung cancer this past week. His is more advanced than Daddy’s, and I don’t think his chances of recovery are very good. I’m really not sure how much more my mother can take at this point.
It’s difficult not to be with my parents right now. I have to take care of my kids, and my wonderful husband, who has been so sweet and supportive, and life doesn’t grind to a halt in the face of illness — especially at this time of year. Daddy’s cough is so bad right now that he can’t do much talking without setting it off, so we wouldn’t be able to visit even if I could go. We hope they’ll be up to coming for Christmas, but if not we’ll go there afterward. Mama wants me to save up my free time so I can help her after the surgery. She keeps telling me to clean my house so I can be gone for a while. She has that magical motherly ability to know that it’s a mess even without seeing it. Amazing!
Thank you all for your good thoughts and prayers. It helps knowing you’re out there.
Moms are astonishing creatures. (That includes you.)
Amen Songbird!
I feel awfully for you … what else to say?