Re: Well, ***...(long)

deemsbill@xxxxxxx wrote, On 7/10/09 7:36 PM:

We went to Philly on Thursday and talked to the doctors. Dad has
small-cell lung cancer in both lungs and it's spread to "at least" his
lymph system. The oncologist said it was incurable and did we want to
start chemo....the one "good" thing about small-cell is it is rather
easily knocked back...it just keep reappearing. My mother said "yes"
and I'm like...."what's the prognosis?"

The oncologist said the average life expectancy was 8-9 months if
the patient is in otherwise good health. My dad is 82 and, well, he's
82. My mother signed the papers and the oncologist took off to get
things rolling.

This is when I said "Do we want to do this?" and got shocked looks
from my mother and brother. "While there's life there's hope" was
thrown in the conversation.

Bill, I am really really sorry to hear this.

My wife and I went through the same deal when her
mom was diagnosed with small cell. The old girl went
through chemo and radiation, and honestly, if we had
it to do over again, we'd try to talk her out of it.
The chemo was much harder on her than the cancer
ever was... nearly killed her, in fact, three months
before the cancer did.

I suggest getting out any recording devices you may
have -- audio, video, whatever -- and interviewing
your dad about his life. Get it all in his words for
future generations to enjoy. It's the closest any of
us can come to immortality.

You have my best thoughts.

cb


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