Not the best of days
Thread Starter
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 3,707
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From: In The Ether
Not the best of days
Lately my family has not been having the best of days. After feeling poorly for an extended period of time my father, who lives in central Arkansas, decided to see his family doctor. After receiving blood test results he was immediately referred to a local oncologist who performed further tests and immediately hospitalized my father. In the following days my mother and I made a trip to Houston by car with dad who rode in an ambulance. There we checked him into the foremost cancer treatment center in the nation, if not the world.
He has been diagnosed with MDS / MPN in the transition phase to acute leukemia and began official treatment for this diagnosis this evening while awaiting more detailed information. It turns out these things are a little more difficult to diagnose than the flu
But because of the seriousness of the affliction it was deemed necessary to begin some kind of treatment as soon as possible. We agree.
After arriving at the hospital(s) and beginning IV fluid supplements he said he felt a little embarrassed. All these people coming to visit this sick man, but he felt the best he had in months. We told him that was the science of medicine doing its job.
Probably the most difficult part so far was when my dad called his 99 year old mother to tell her he had a similar disease to the one that killed his father, her husband, 25 years ago. The good news is she's old and doesn't remember how bad it really was.
The irony, and we choose to smile about this, is that my father worked for the American Cancer Society for 32 years helping to raise funds for cancer research, and he spent most of that time in Houston, Texas. Since that time, beginning over 40 years ago, cancer treatment has come a long way. The medical center he is being treated at has more than 25 buildings which vary in size, but most are 10 to 20 stories tall. He enjoys telling the staff that he remembers when there was just 1. It is a bigger complex than downtown Portland and it's ALL medical. I guess you could say my father's life's work is now working on his life.
My sister has created a blog on Caring Bridge and she and Elizabeth are updating regularly with new information.
http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/mikesmyers
My family appreciates all your well wishes and prayers in our time of trouble. Our spirits are up and we are staying positive.
Thank you for reading. I look forward to seeing you all again.
He has been diagnosed with MDS / MPN in the transition phase to acute leukemia and began official treatment for this diagnosis this evening while awaiting more detailed information. It turns out these things are a little more difficult to diagnose than the flu
But because of the seriousness of the affliction it was deemed necessary to begin some kind of treatment as soon as possible. We agree.After arriving at the hospital(s) and beginning IV fluid supplements he said he felt a little embarrassed. All these people coming to visit this sick man, but he felt the best he had in months. We told him that was the science of medicine doing its job.
Probably the most difficult part so far was when my dad called his 99 year old mother to tell her he had a similar disease to the one that killed his father, her husband, 25 years ago. The good news is she's old and doesn't remember how bad it really was.
The irony, and we choose to smile about this, is that my father worked for the American Cancer Society for 32 years helping to raise funds for cancer research, and he spent most of that time in Houston, Texas. Since that time, beginning over 40 years ago, cancer treatment has come a long way. The medical center he is being treated at has more than 25 buildings which vary in size, but most are 10 to 20 stories tall. He enjoys telling the staff that he remembers when there was just 1. It is a bigger complex than downtown Portland and it's ALL medical. I guess you could say my father's life's work is now working on his life.
My sister has created a blog on Caring Bridge and she and Elizabeth are updating regularly with new information.
http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/mikesmyers
My family appreciates all your well wishes and prayers in our time of trouble. Our spirits are up and we are staying positive.
Thank you for reading. I look forward to seeing you all again.
Registered User
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,464
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From: Battle Ground, WA
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Know that we are here to support you in any way that we can. When you adopted the Pacific Northwest...you adopted us as a family, so let us know if there's anything that we can do for you guys.
Your father's work was invaluable for American Cancer Society and I for one appreciate everything that he has done for them in his life. Please let your father know that even though we are far, he will be in our prayers.
Hugs to you and E...keep your chin up and we'll be awaiting your return.
Your father's work was invaluable for American Cancer Society and I for one appreciate everything that he has done for them in his life. Please let your father know that even though we are far, he will be in our prayers.
Hugs to you and E...keep your chin up and we'll be awaiting your return.
Registered User
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,460
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From: Portland, Oregon
Paul, we are very sorry to hear about your father.
We will keep our fingers crossed that all of his efforts to help with cancer research comes back to benefit him.
If there is anything we can do..... just ask!
Larry and Debbie
We will keep our fingers crossed that all of his efforts to help with cancer research comes back to benefit him.
If there is anything we can do..... just ask!
Larry and Debbie
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 1,984
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From: ALWAYSRAINING,WA
Me and Rachel are very sorry to hear about your dad. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Always be positive...oh yeah, if Lance Amstrong can do it so as your dad and that proves willpower is the best medicine. If there's anything we can do to help, pls let us know.
Registered User
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 538
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From: Portland, Oregon
I'm very sorry to hear about this. I know it's a hard situation but hang in there. I'm sure your father appreciates you a lot for taking the time to go see him. Wishing him a speedy recover.
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Joined: May 2006
Posts: 1,096
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From: Tualatin, OR
Marjene and I are keeping you, Elizabeth and your family in our thoughts and prayers. It is tough when someone you care deeply about is diagnosed with cancer. Keep the positive feelings going, your dad will be able to use it to keep his spirits up and help him overcome this.
Continued thoughts and prayers will be sent your way!
Continued thoughts and prayers will be sent your way!
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 5,100
Likes: 6
From: Maggie Valley, NC
I am sorry to hear about his condition, but he is in the best hands available. As said above, will power and possitive thinking are the best at winning this type of battle. Please know that your entire family are in my thoughts and prayers. Let me know if you need anything.
