Oncology Appointment

Dad met with Dr. Haque today at Columbia Basin Hematology and Oncology (CBHO).

Recommendation was to go in on Friday at Kadlec Hospital to get his port, a small medical appliance that is inserted under the skin just below the collar bone. Then he will start chemotherapy next week (Tuesday or Wednesday). And will begin a four week cycle of one day a week for three weeks and then one week off. After the week off he will start the cycle again and repeat it 4-6 times.

When that series is complete he will have a PET scan (produces a 3D image) to see if  there are any cancerous lymph nodes and then will begin radiation on the pancreas.

Gemzar is the type of chemotherapy he will be having. He fortunately won't be losing his hair - which he claims to be disappointed by. :)

We all felt encouraged that the oncologist felt that this treatment isn't just fight off the cancer temporarily but to cure it.

We hope you all feel encouraged as well!

Medical Update

A little medical update - Dad is still having a hard time digesting food and keeping it down. We are trying different forms of liquid slowly getting more and more clear. He's doing a little better with sleeping.

He has a consultation with the oncologist on monday in Tri-Cities to talk about his chemotherapy treatment.

Dad is feeling like there's some type of estrogen in his medicine with how often he gets emotional. He is very touched by all of visits, food, cards, texts, phone calls, gifts, daily front porch surprises (Jeanie and Sloane included as well), rides in cool cars, offers to do chores and it goes on and on...

Sloane and I are having a great time being with Gramie and Pops. Pops and Sloane have a lot of similarities.... liquid diet, don't like to take naps, and burping. So there is a lot of good bonding going on.

Glow Stick Love!

Thanks to the Andersons, Copelands, and Weavers! They must know my Dad's slight obsession with glow sticks.

My parents said it was it was a beautiful sight.

My Dad went to the Sunnyside Hospital today. He was having hard time keeping food down and became dehydrated. They put him on an IV and are changing his diet as well as giving him a new medicine to help keep his exciting liquid diet down. The doctor said that it's "trial and error" at this point so we are hopeful that this will work!

Thanks for all the support and love!

Thank You!

We wanted to send a big "Thank You!" to my Mom's sister Aunt Kathy and her husband Uncle Dick for opening up their home for my Dad's post-surgery recovery. They have provided food, transportation, a room and above everything - comfort, warmth, love and encouragement. Dad wants to thank them for the "five star hotel/home."

Thank you Aunt Kathy and Uncle Dick!

On a different note for anyone who would like to visit my parents - please contact my Mom.

As always thank you for all your support and love.

A Welcome Home to Remember

Below is what my parents came home to yesterday. The sign on top said "We love you Bruce and Jeanie." The bottom sign read "Welcome Home," and was signed by over 50 people. Sadly, the heat didn't allow the tape to hold, but my parents were so surprised to come home to such a site!

Yellow ribbons were tied to shrubs and on my dad's car. 

Lots of Love!

Feeling lots of love and support! You  know who you are, even if you're not pictured below! It's all very much appreciated. My dad and our whole family has been incredibly touched by all of the reaching out, kind words, efforts, and prayers by everyone.

Pathology Report

Friends and Family,

We received the results from my dad's pathology report. The report confirmed that the type of cancer he has is pancreatic cancer. His surgeon also took out a large number of lymph nodes to test for cancerous cells, and unfortunately after the tests, the cancer is still present in my dad's body. He plans on meeting with his oncologist and starting chemo as soon as his body has recovered enough to handle it.

Our family is disappointed (understatement of the year) with this news, as I'm sure are all of you.

Brucie is resting comfortably in Seattle until probably Friday, and then will head back to Sunnyside. We'll send more updates as we get them.

Love,

Jamie