View Full Version : feeling stunned - need more prayers
Raven
03-12-2008, 09:16 AM
I got a phone call last night from my partner with news that her dad was just diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. I just saw her dad this past week when I was in Daytona and he was planning to go to the doctor for what he thought might be an stomach ulcer brought on by medication he'd been taking for arthritis. He looked good so we're hoping they've caught it early but, from what we've read, the prognosis for pancreatic cancer is not good.
This is such a shock. He's always been very healthy and is in good shape. He's not even in the various risk groups for this except that he's male. So we just don't even know what to think. The topper is he got the news on Monday, his 78th birthday.
Meanwhile, I'm feeling fairly useless since I'm on the road and can't get home until sometime next week because I still have to go on to Dallas for this weekend.
Anyway, thanks for letting me put this out there. Thoughts and prayers appreciated.
You and yours are in my prayers Raven.
Mark
HankSTer
03-12-2008, 09:23 AM
Hoping for the best for you and yours Raven, Hank
E the B
03-12-2008, 10:13 AM
My Mom passed away about a year ago from several forms of cancer. Based on that experience and others with several family members, I recommend that you take time to do active fun things during the early stages of his illness. Take a trip together, go for walks, enjoy the outdoors, etc. As the disease progresses, you'll see several instances when energy levels drop and ability to be active is diminished.
Mom had a couple of surgeries, but opted not to take chemo treatments. I thought that was a courageous decision. Her reasoning was she had several friends whose lives diminished to minimal existance by chemo, then they died anyway.
It is impossible for me to overstate my respect and thanks for the beautiful medical professionals of Hospice. Your family can turn to Hospice for solid advice on treatment options, decision making and dignity during the final stages of life.
Raven, your numbness reminds me of my initial feelings during the passing of both of my parents. The time ahead is certainly a scarey and complicated period, but it's also an important time to celebrate the end of a good life with someone you love.
To your partner, I especially say take off as much time as you can and serve the needs of a person who served so many of your needs in life. This opportunity will never come again, and when it's over you will never regret this quality time spent.
I hope these random thoughts are of some use to you.
Eric
STeve Kelly
03-12-2008, 10:14 AM
I got a phone call last night from my partner with news that her dad was just diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.
Raven,
Sorry to hear this. I hope all turns out well. My wife and I will add him to our prayer list.
Mellow
03-12-2008, 10:15 AM
Prayers sent. sorry to hear about this but the sooner it's caught the better and at least there are no other issues that would get in the way of treatment.
azlife4me
03-12-2008, 10:22 AM
Sorry to hear this news. He will be in our prayers. Keep your focus and ride safely.
George
03-12-2008, 10:22 AM
We'll be following this. Prayers to all.
uptoblackwood
03-12-2008, 10:29 AM
Wow...
Sorry Raven. Pancreatic cancer is so very tough to beat, as it's almost always caught in such a developed stage.
My thoughts are with you. Concentrate on riding...when you are on the bike. It's difficult being away and on the road. No distractions! We all need you safe and sound.
Forest
Awful news.
Prayers on the way.
--Bryan
04ST1300A
:04biker:
Raven, thinking and praying for you and yours. My parents are 77 and my wife's parents 80 so we try to enjoy the brief time we have knowing that someday all too soon we will be stunned too so I feel for you. No regrets if you use this to strengthen your relationship and spend more quality time with the ones you love and care for.
John Anthony
03-12-2008, 10:53 AM
Raven,
You, your partner, and her dad are in our prayers. Stay strong and others will draw upon your strength when they need it.
John
BigTom
03-12-2008, 10:56 AM
Ahh, Jeeze Raven.
My prayers and such, of course. You need to make sure you take care of you and get home safe and sound, too!
Papa Bear
03-12-2008, 11:29 AM
For sure my thoughts will be with you Raven.
PB
Kevin Powers
03-12-2008, 12:45 PM
I know where you're at and will keep you in my prayers.
My Dad was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer last summer. He had a Whipple procedure to remove the pancreas, but the lymph nodes were already effected. He had a terrible time with chemo and completed radiation treatment earlier this year. He just had a PET scan and we should be getting the results this week or next. Depending on the response to the chemo/radiation his outlook will be somewhere between six months and two years. In the meantime he has been having terrible pain in his back. Turns out several vertebrae have suffered compression fractures. He had a khyphoplasty procedure to inject cement into the vertabrae to stabilize them but it didn't help much. Last week they found three more broken vertebrae. He's quite literally falling apart.
My Dad is in NY. My siblings and I are in DC, NM, AZ and MN. His SO has been a saint, but there is a limit to what she can do, so we're trying to negotiate care options and support long distance. We've all been getting back to NY as often as we can. Heavy sigh.
On the upside, we've been able to arrange a family get together for Memorial Day weekend. My Dad was raised in the Bronx and is a lifelong Yankee fan. All of us kids were raised Yankee fans and we have instilled that into the next generation. We've lined up a suite at Yankee Stadium on May 25th and we'll have all of the siblings and grandkids there. So if you're in a praying mood, pray that the game that day doesn't get rained out and that my Dad is strong enough to attend.
Kevin
jdaniels
03-12-2008, 12:59 PM
So sorry Raven,we send our prayers.
Raven,
So sorry to hear about this. My prayers go out to all of you involved.
Take care and remember, we serve a Mighty Big God...
Barry
EJ's 97ST
03-12-2008, 01:46 PM
Soooo sorry to hear about this Raven, thoughts and prayers sent to all the family from S and I. As others have noted, you be careful, ride safe and think good thoughts, that'll help the mental process while riding. ;)
Ed & Sharon
UNTMatt
03-12-2008, 03:19 PM
Prayers out to your family. Keep your chin up and ya'll will get through this.
FLSTRDR
03-12-2008, 03:42 PM
Know that Suzi and I lift you all up in prayer for healing for your partner's Dad. And you are in our thoughts.
Sonny
motomac
03-12-2008, 05:25 PM
Pancreatic cancer isn't as bad as it used to be, but your SO's dad has been added to my prayer list. We have a lady in our Gold Wing chapter recovering from this cancer and she is doing well.
Tom B.
03-12-2008, 07:28 PM
Unbelievable!:(
I got a phone call last night from my partner with news that her dad was just diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. I just saw her dad this past week when I was in Daytona and he was planning to go to the doctor for what he thought might be an stomach ulcer brought on by medication he'd been taking for arthritis. He looked good so we're hoping they've caught it early but, from what we've read, the prognosis for pancreatic cancer is not good.
This is such a shock. He's always been very healthy and is in good shape. He's not even in the various risk groups for this except that he's male. So we just don't even know what to think. The topper is he got the news on Monday, his 78th birthday.
Meanwhile, I'm feeling fairly useless since I'm on the road and can't get home until sometime next week because I still have to go on to Dallas for this weekend.
Anyway, thanks for letting me put this out there. Thoughts and prayers appreciated.
What a tough break. You have my deepest sympathy! My dad is fighting mylanoma (bone cancer) so I'm right in there with you and your partner! You, your partner and her dad have my prayers!!!:pray1: :pray1: :pray1:
I know where you're at and will keep you in my prayers.
My Dad was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer last summer. He had a Whipple procedure to remove the pancreas, but the lymph nodes were already effected. He had a terrible time with chemo and completed radiation treatment earlier this year. He just had a PET scan and we should be getting the results this week or next. Depending on the response to the chemo/radiation his outlook will be somewhere between six months and two years. In the meantime he has been having terrible pain in his back. Turns out several vertebrae have suffered compression fractures. He had a khyphoplasty procedure to inject cement into the vertabrae to stabilize them but it didn't help much. Last week they found three more broken vertebrae. He's quite literally falling apart.
My Dad is in NY. My siblings and I are in DC, NM, AZ and MN. His SO has been a saint, but there is a limit to what she can do, so we're trying to negotiate care options and support long distance. We've all been getting back to NY as often as we can. Heavy sigh.
On the upside, we've been able to arrange a family get together for Memorial Day weekend. My Dad was raised in the Bronx and is a lifelong Yankee fan. All of us kids were raised Yankee fans and we have instilled that into the next generation. We've lined up a suite at Yankee Stadium on May 25th and we'll have all of the siblings and grandkids there. So if you're in a praying mood, pray that the game that day doesn't get rained out and that my Dad is strong enough to attend.
Kevin
Kevin, it's not fun dealing with this stuff. you also have my prayers!!!:pray1: :pray1: :pray1:
My prayers and hopes for a positive outcome.
illzoni
03-12-2008, 11:39 PM
Raven,
Please pass along our best wishes to your SO.
Jon
Rob Hephner
03-13-2008, 12:10 AM
Prayers to you and yours.
ShinySideUpAZ
03-13-2008, 12:14 AM
I will keep this in my prayers.
My thoughts and prayers go out to your SO's Dad and all involved.
Tom B.
03-24-2008, 03:51 PM
Unbelievable!:shrug2:
Just wondering if there was any good news regarding your partners Father?
Still praying for everyone involved...:pray1: :pray1: :pray1:
Raven
03-24-2008, 04:42 PM
He went to Mayo in Jacksonville today. They think he may be a good candidate for surgery. They want him back on Thursday for an endoscopy and biopsy. So, it's all still wait and see.
Thanks again to all.
The wait and see part is by far the hardest. Hang in there. Prayers are still headed your way!
ldk1959
03-24-2008, 10:10 PM
you and yours are in our prayers. life is short, live it well.
Ldk1959
Raven
04-03-2008, 10:14 PM
Here's an update.
He's in good spirits which is good. It's taken a couple of weeks but here's what's known so far. The tumor hasn't grown since it was first identified but it is wrapped around both a vein and an artery. It has not metastasized, which is good. The surgeon feels it's operable but wants to hit it with chemo and radiation to shrink it a bit before surgery. They expect that to go on for several weeks and then we'll see what's next.
Thanks for keeping us in your thoughts and prayers.
sirepair
04-03-2008, 10:30 PM
Wow Raven,
Sorry to hear this but the outlook is sounding promising. Our thoughts and prayers go out to you and yours.
Tom B.
04-04-2008, 08:54 AM
Unbelievalbe!:hat1:
Thanks for the update! Sounds like good news to me! I'll keep praying though! No need to let up yet right?
:pray1: :pray1: :pray1:
motomac
04-04-2008, 09:03 AM
Thanks for the update, he will remain on my list.
Sounds like it's certainly not as bad as it could have been.
Continued prayers to him and all of the family.
Elmo
Raven
05-06-2008, 06:30 PM
Here's an update:
The doctors placed a stent in the bile duct to help keep it open and have also placed a shunt to aid in blood draws and medicine delivery. The chemo and radiation have started this week (there were some delays waiting for the stent and shunt to be put in). He's in good spirits but we're worried because he's 6'4" tall and is down to 150 pounds. He's also jaundiced. Both of these symptoms are not good but we're hopeful that the bile duct stent will help.
He's due to do the chemo and radiation for the next four weeks and then they'll check again regarding surgery. So far, the tumor has not metastasized so that's good.
Thoughts and prayers still appreciated.
John Anthony
05-06-2008, 06:37 PM
You got 'em!!! It's good to hear he's in good spirits. A positive outlook can do a lot. Thanks for the update.
John
EJ's 97ST
05-06-2008, 07:07 PM
Dace! What John stated above, continued prayers from here too!
EJ
t-bone
05-06-2008, 07:11 PM
t-bone says his prayers are also with you in this time of need, take care and keep us posted, ride safe
lanman1203
05-06-2008, 07:42 PM
My wife lost her father and aunt to Cancer. We will keep you guys in our Prayers
motomac
05-06-2008, 07:47 PM
Tell the SO her dad is still on my prayer list. Hopefully his strength will return and come out of this OK.
Tom B.
05-07-2008, 07:08 AM
Unbelievable!:(
Thanks for this update too!! I'll continue to pray for you, your SO and all involved in this! May God grant a quick recovery!!!
Dear God...:pray1: :pray1: :pray1:
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