Serious as Cancer
My dad’s got cancer. I just found out tonight. It’s not as bad as it could be, fairly common in men his age. The doctor figures a 76 percent survival rate 5 years after treatment. That’s decent odds, I suppose, but 34 percent of a whole, whole lot of people is still a whole lot of people. And I would really rather my father not be one of them.
And there’s gonna be some treatment, too. Invasive stuff. There will be surgery and radiation and the planting of radioactive seeds deep in his body. If movies and television have taught me anything, it is that these radioactive seeds may cure this cancer, but they may also turn my father into the Swamp Thing.
We just lost my grandpa last month. My grandmother’s 94, and while she is doing well for her age, nobody in their mid-nineties is doing awesome. My Dad’s mom is out in a home in Indiana, depressed and making the nurses hate her and life will not stop getting realer and realer every week for any of us, ever.
So if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to get into my bed and watch Indiana Jones search for the Holy Grail with his dad — and wish like hell I could give my Dad a sip from that cup.
February 13th, 2008 at 10:34 pm
My good thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
February 14th, 2008 at 7:00 am
Yeah, but I’m sure that other (only 24%) had a lot of other complicating factors. You’d be surprised what a fighting spirit can accomplish, and I really wish you and your family the best.
February 14th, 2008 at 8:47 am
You and your Dad will be in my prayers.
February 14th, 2008 at 9:52 am
Sending good thoughts all the way to Norfolk.
February 14th, 2008 at 10:32 am
Way behind on commenting on your blog, but have to say: This sucks. Lots of platitudes get bantered about, and are usually even MEANT. It still sucks. We all chose how to handle our days amongst the things we cannot control — him handling this will go a long way towards him WINNING against this. I know a few who have done great years later, winning against cancer. You don’t say what kind (but, PSA here, get yourself screened appropriately when you get to whatever age). May things go well, Jeff. Even if you take a moment to vent here and then veg. You’ll tackle reality again.
February 14th, 2008 at 11:10 am
Been reading your blog for a while now. So sorry to hear about your Dad. I hope it’s not too rough a road to his recovery.
I was also sad to head about your Grandpop passing.
Be well -
Stephanie
February 14th, 2008 at 2:01 pm
I read on a regular basis, but I never comment.
I’m so sorry to hear about your dad. I know it’s not any consolation coming from some random person on the internet, but I’ve lost two family members thus far from cancer, and it’s never an easy thing.
I hope your fathers doesn’t progress to that point.
You and your family will be in my thoughts.
February 14th, 2008 at 2:19 pm
there’s no other way to say it - that sucks. I’m really sorry you and your Dad have to go through this.
February 14th, 2008 at 2:50 pm
You & your family are in my thoughts. I hope that your father can conquer this! If I may suggest, if you have time, listening to this really cool show about the Placebo effect and mind over matter:
http://www.wnyc.org/shows/radiolab/episodes/2007/05/18
I know that everyone’s going to give advice about your situation. Please see it as mere contribution and care and not as instructions on what to do. Above all else, keep the faith.
February 14th, 2008 at 5:54 pm
Jeff AKA “Big Bro”,
This really does suck. We just gotta keep in mind our Dad is a BAD ASS!!! He told us he had cancer in one breath and in the next told us “I’m gonna beat this shit”. The cancer is aggressive but so is our family. I love you and hope to see you soon!!
Love,
Jess
February 15th, 2008 at 7:10 am
“The cancer is aggressive but so is our family.”
yeah, jone that shit right out of his system, jess.
February 16th, 2008 at 11:18 am
Sorry to hear about it. Hope that he will be okay, man. Will pray for him tonight, this can never hurt.