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God is Good
By Jenny | December 1, 2006
My dad’s cancer diagnosis has been a good reminder that none of us are promised that we will live to see another day. For this reason, I am so thankful that I know if I were to die today in a car accident, or in my sleep, I would spend eternity in heaven with God - not because I’m a good person or because I go to church - because I have accepted Jesus Christ, God’s Son, as my Savior. What about you? Where will you spend eternity?
This has been an amazing week for our family. Dad’s doctor appointments have gone well, and we wanted to update you on what we’ve been told by the doctors.
Wednesday Dad met with the oncologist. His cancer is in stage III. From what we understand, there are two types of pancreatic cancer. Ninety-five percent of people who are diagnosed with pancreatic cancer have a very aggressive form and are given 6 months to live. Dad has the other kind (neuroendocrine carcinoma), which only 5% of pancreatic cancer patients get. They usually live an average of 8 years after their diagnosis! What great news! We had prepared ourselves to deal with the worst news imaginable! Chemo doesn’t do much for dad’s type of cancer, and right now he’s feeling so well that they wouldn’t want to do any chemo yet anyways. He’ll have a CT Scan every two months to check the growth rate of his tumors. Eventually the cancer will spread to his liver. The oncologist confirmed that surgery is not an option, so they will just treat his symptoms (pain, cramping, etc.) as they come. For now, he’s not in any pain or discomfort, which is a huge praise! The doctor prescribed some sort of enzyme for him to take to help his stomach digest his food better.
Thursday Mom and Dad met with the gastroenterologist. He said that he’s not convinced the tumor is inoperable! Even more good news! He wants to get a better view of the pancreas. If the tumor isn’t wrapped too tightly around the arteries, there is a possibility they could remove it. He scheduled a procedure for Monday the 11th to get an ultrasound of the pancreas.
This morning my parents were in the Jacksonville airport ready to fly to Albany, NY for Word of Life’s Annual Staff Conference when the oncologist called. He had reviewed the CT Scan that the gastroenterologist in Atlanta had taken and said it was inconclusive. He wanted Mom and Dad back in today for an MRI, but when he realized they were in the airport, he said they should go ahead with their trip. He scheduled an MRI for 7 a.m. on the 8th. At 1:30 p.m. the same day, they’ll have a consultation to go over the MRI to decide if the tumor is operable or not. If it is, they’d want to do surgery the following week. Surgery would involve removing part of the pancreas, upper small intestine, and stomach. It would be a major surgery, but surgically removing the cancer is our best option.
Even if the tumor is inoperable, we are so thankful for God’s mercy and grace in sparing Dad’s life for a few more years. Of course, the doctor said, he could only have six months, but more than likely he has many years ahead of him. I wish I could explain to you all the comfort we have received from the Word during this time. We are overwhelmed by your kindness, your sweet words of encouragement, and your prayers. Thank you so much for thinking of us.
December 2nd, 2006 at 9:32 am
That’s exciting, Jenny. I’m glad things are looking good for your dad.
I’ve been praying for them, pretty much, since we finished at the BI since they are (sort of) in my area and especially since he got sick. It’s good to hear that the doctor’s are positive.
His,
Kerry