My Current Status

Hello everyone.

I thought I should let you know that at this time I am doing well with no pain. I am still flying from the good news of the scans being good and not showing cancer anywhere else except in the prostate gland. Usually the attitude is “wait and see” for prostate cancer because it is usually such a slow-growing kind. They tell me that this is not that kind. I have heard ‘very aggressive’ several times.

I think the fact that it hasn’t spread to other places is significant because there are different treatment options available. I will know a lot more after the MRI on January 30. We can see God’s hand in this. I can even thank God for turning 65, because it was my coming of age that prompted me to go for a 2 ½ years overdue annual exam. The reason I went was that I thought it would be good to tidy things up in my life; a physical, a hearing test, getting some teeth fixed and signing up for Medicare.

I say all that to encourage you, the ones I love, to get physicals and testing done, because early detection is a lot easier to deal with than if the bad cells having a chance to grow and spread. Christina and I are trusting the Lord for a good end. I John 5:14 says, “This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.” Our desire is to line our will up with God’s will and watch Him work!

Love,
Gil

Clear Scans

Dad received the phone call today that his bone scans are clear and the doctor is confident that the cancer is contained to only the tumor on the prostate.  This is wonderful news!  It has not spread further, which hopefully means it will be straight-forward and easily treated.  He will have a more sophisticated, localized MRI done at the end of January and then we should get a treatment plan.  Tonight, we rejoice in this very good news!

The "C" Word

On November 28, 2016, Dad went in to biopsy a nodule that was found during a routine exam on his prostate.

Two long weeks later, on December 9th, he was officially diagnosed with Prostate Cancer.

In many ways, this is simply devastating for our family.  After all, Dad is Dad.  He has no equal and many, many, many people love and rely on him for so much.  He has always been there.  Also, this diagnosis came just months after Lisa got through with her 2 1/2 year battle with colon cancer.  We are tired and we know exactly how challenging treatment can be both physically and emotionally.

But still, our hope and faith are strong.  We trust in a good and faithful and unfailing God who knows all and who will most certainly carry Dad and all of us through this trying time.  We are NOT hopeless or fearful, more just sad and weary.  At least that is how I personally feel.  It's difficult to see someone so loved and wonderful and otherwise healthy get hit with news like this.

I have set up this blog to be used as an update center.  For now, myself, Lisa, Dad, and Christina are set up as contributors and we will do our best to post often with updates.  He will see any "comments" that are left here if you wish to send a note.

For now, this is what I know:
He has a tumor the size of a marble.
He will be seeking treatment at Dana Farber in Boston.
He will have a bone scan to be sure the cancer has not spread.
He will have an MRI to determine the best course of treatment.

We are so grateful for great doctors, medical advancements, and ever-evolving technology and treatment.  If you think of us, please pray.

~Amy