Dad update

GracefulMeadow86 · January 2011

Well, we got a tiny bit of good news and then a humongous big nasty chunk of bad news.

Good news first - the aggressive chemo he was on the last 3 months or so has pretty much erradicated the cancer from his infected lymph nodes.

The medium news - the liver is not better, but not worse.

The bad news - Somehow, the cancer has defied the chemotherapy and spread outside of his liver (this is why he was retaining fluid). It is now affecting the Mesentery, which the Dr said is like a saran wrap that holds in all of your guts (he's a funny guy). This is the thing they werent sure was affected at this first scan when he was diagnosed because it looked "fuzzy" on the image. Well, now it is.

This means that:

1) because the cancer has spread from the original source, he will never qualify for a liver transplant.

2) this "saran wrap" stuff is what they were worried about before b/c in their experience, once it gets into that, it gets into EVERYTHING.

3) once the cancer has spread from the original source, its makes it a bajillion times harder to treat

So now theyre starting him on another experimental chemo and some other drugs if the insurance company approves them and looking into clinical trials in hopes of something working.

It's very scary, to be honest. I know i have to hope for the best, but plan for the worst as with any situation in life....but im not ready to plan for the worst yet....

debjwes · January 2011

Many hugs! Thoughts and prayers for you and your family. I'm so sorry Kim. I hope the insurance covers and the experimental trials help.

I always remembered the mesentary as the Apron, as it covers so nothing else gets messy (mesentary). nice acronym... is that was it is called?

GracefulMeadow86 · January 2011

debjwes:

Many hugs! Thoughts and prayers for you and your family. I'm so sorry Kim. I hope the insurance covers and the experimental trials help.

I always remembered the mesentary as the Apron, as it covers so nothing else gets messy (mesentary). nice acronym... is that was it is called?

I think that might be a Mnemonic device...but dont quote me on that one lol. And thanks for the well wishes

ellen73 · January 2011

If you were taking gross anatomy with medical students, the mesentery is what holds/suspends the small intestine together and keeps them sort of anchored to the body. However, many also call everything that anchors the small and large intestines the mesentery. It's a huge amount of connective tissue (slightly skin like), with adipose tissue, nerves and blood supply for both the large and small intestines.

GracefulMeadow86 · January 2011

ellen73:

If you were taking gross anatomy with medical students, the mesentery is what holds/suspends the small intestine together and keeps them sort of anchored to the body. However, many also call everything that anchors the small and large intestines the mesentery. It's a huge amount of connective tissue (slightly skin like), with adipose tissue, nerves and blood supply for both the large and small intestines.

Thanks for the full explanation! So it really does hold the guts in lol

RonCourt · January 2011

Your dad is such a strong man, fighting through all of this. God bless him and many prayers coming his way. I will hope for the best for all of you.

lburkey21 · January 2011

I'm so sorry that you're going through this Kim. Lots of hugs!! I'll be praying for you, your dad and your family. Tons of positive thoughts and vibes that the new chemo/drugs work.

kpsHoneyBear · January 2011

Aw, I am so sorry to hear about that bad news!! And, of course you're not ready to plan for the worst, no one really ever is. Your dad is an awfully strong person to be going through all of this. I wish I could give him a hug!

Even the word cancer is horrible. I wish it was something that no one even had to know about I will be hoping for the best and praying for your family.

Lil Lar · January 2011

I'm so sorry to hear about your dad Kim

I know how hard it is to be going though this but try to keep your chin up! We are all here for you to talk to if you ever need it, and I'm sure your dad would want you to be as happy as you can and to enjoy the time that you have together, despite being scared of the worst thing happening. We will be keeping you in our thoughts and hoping for the best!

wickeesgirl117 · January 2011

T&P for you and your entire family. I hope the insurance aprroves everything you need.

tailspin430 · January 2011

Sorry to hear about your dad, Kim. I hope the news gets better and better from here.

Krissybeans731 · January 2011

I'm so sorry you and your family are going through this, Kim. You will all be in my thoughts and prayers, and I admire how strong you've been throughout everything.

elishabelle · January 2011

Thoughts and prayers to you and your family.

l337Jacqui · January 2011

oh gosh kim, i'm so sorry to hear this update

you guys are all still in my thoughts!

ohioloveyou · January 2011

Seems like rough news! I'm sorry you have to deal with this, Kim. You have thoughts and prayers from us!

preciousgrl120 · January 2011

Kim, I'm really sorry! I hope that insurance covers the experimental chemo and that it helps! Sending my thoughts, prayers and many hugs your way!!

slpmay03 · January 2011

Kim. I am so sorry to hear about your dad. Thoughts and prayers to you and your entire family. Cancer sucks. (There are wristbands that say that and I think it is a website.)