Update Time

First, I want to apologize for not updating sooner. Every March since Caleb died has been rough for me, and I tend to avoid the internet as much as possible. With that said, March is over and it's time to fill everyone in on the latest.

Heart Cath Results

Dad was feeling a bit weak yesterday morning and actually requested a wheelchair when they first arrived at the Cath Lab for his heart catheterization.

Update as of 2/17/2019

After Dad was released from the hospital for the double pneumonia, he developed an issue with severe edema in both of his legs to the point that you couldn't tell where his calf ended and the ankle began. Then he had a rash form along his calves and ankles right where his socks normally sit. We called the cardiologist and Dad was advised to wear compression socks to help with the edema and increase the fluid pill they put him on while he was in the hospital.

When it rains, it pours...

I thought this was going to be a nice, relaxing weekend at home with the family. We had a wonderful birthday celebration for my sister-in-law yesterday. Dad was able to attend and had a good time.

He's Finally Home!

Dad was finally released from the hospital late yesterday afternoon! However, there has been one new development. Dad is now on oxygen 24/7. He has been unable to keep his oxygen saturation level above 90 without oxygen. Mom and I think it has less to do with the pneumonia, and more to do with the emphysema they noted on his PET scan. Dad says, "I don't have emphysema. I have not been diagnosed with it by a doctor."  Mom scheduled an appointment with his primary care doctor so the doctor can tell Dad that he officially has emphysema. He also has to see a cardiologist and a pulmonologist. While he was in the hospital, his heart rate would elevate to the 140s while resting. They believe it is just from the extra stress on his heart from the pneumonia and the melanoma treatment, but they want him fully evaluated before making a firm decision on that. The appointment with the cardiologist is on January 30th. Still working on scheduling with a pulmonologist.

Quick Hospital Update

Dad is still in the hospital this morning. He's still on oxygen and is staying awake for longer periods of time. Although he is feeling a bit better, he now has pneumonia in both lungs. He definitely won't be coming home today. No word yet on when he will be released. On the plus side, Mom took him one of the Echo Dot's so he could listen to his favorite music while he's there.

Angel

First Treatment Done

Dad’s first treatment was scheduled for yesterday morning. He had been having some issues with a cough for most of the week that seemed to be getting progressively worse. While he was meeting with the nurse practitioner at the clinic, he coughed the entire time. They gave him a prescription for some cough medicine which they got filled after treatment.

Good News & Bad News

I always like to start with the bad news so I have something good at the end. We met with Dr. Bienvenu today to go over the results from Dad's lung biopsy.

Lung Biopsy Done

Dad had the lung biopsy done yesterday morning. Everything went well and Dad is feeling fine. No soreness. I'll update again next week after we meet with the doctor to go over the results.

Angel

Biopsy Scheduled

Just a quick note that the lung biopsy is scheduled for January 10, 2019. We have an appointment with Dr. Bienvenu on January 14, 2019, to go over the results of the biopsy.

I'll update again after we meet with the doctor on the 14th.

Angel

PET Scan Results & Meeting with Medical Oncologist

We received the initial PET scan results early evening on Christmas Eve through MyChart, which is a portal for patients and providers to keep in contact with each other. Of course, the report was written in doctor speak but some of the words looked kinda scary. Hypermetabolic. Neoplasm. Mediastinal and hilar lymph nodes. Pulmonary nodules. And on and on. Some with measurements and others without.

First Meeting with Oncology

We met with the radiation oncologist on December 17th. Her name is Dr. Wang (pronounced Wong). She said that because the melanoma had spread from the initial location on Dad’s cheek into the neck, it was definitely Stage 3 melanoma, at a minimum. Dad has to have a full body PET scan to see if it has spread more and so we know exactly what stage we are dealing with and what plan of action to take.

A New Journey - Another One We Don't Want to Take

We've recently been given some words no one wants to hear. Mass. Cancer. Malignant. Metastatic. Melanoma.  God, how I hate those words. And now, cancer has reared it's nasty head again in my family. This time, it's my dad.