Tim Update
It's been a while since I've updated you on my Dad's battle with Pancreatic cancer.
Two weeks ago my Dad was in Anchorage to start his new round of chemotherapy and had been complaining that he was having a difficult time breathing. When he arrived at the hospital an x-ray was done on his chest. They drained over 5 liters of fluid from him and kept him overnight for observation. He was only breathing on 1/4 lung due to all the fluid that had built up. After his chemo he returned to Soldotna and seemed to be doing better.
Last week while at the hospital getting some blood work done before heading back to Anchorage for the next chemo treatment they did another x-ray on my dad's chest cavity and it had started to fill back up. Friday he went in to surgery to have a drain put in. They kept him for a couple days. I was concerned, so I bumped my flight up a week and arrived in Alaska on Monday (Justin will still join us for the holidays next week).
When I arrived on Monday, Dad was home with a tube (1/2" diameter) coming from under his right arm-pit to a container that was collecting the fluid that was draining from him. His eyes lit up when he saw me and Zaylee - as it was a surprise for me to visit early. My mom was overcome with tears when she saw us.
The past two days have been okay. My dad seems to be doing much better and is moving around slowly. He has to carry his breathing/draining machine around and after the x-ray yesterday they are estimating Thursday or Friday to remove the hose. He has been tired today and looking slightly pale but as always, in great spirits considering everything. His next MRI is in the last week of December. Then they will determine the status of the tumor in his pancreas.
These are tough times for all of my immediate family, and the holidays seem extra special this year.
Two weeks ago my Dad was in Anchorage to start his new round of chemotherapy and had been complaining that he was having a difficult time breathing. When he arrived at the hospital an x-ray was done on his chest. They drained over 5 liters of fluid from him and kept him overnight for observation. He was only breathing on 1/4 lung due to all the fluid that had built up. After his chemo he returned to Soldotna and seemed to be doing better.
Last week while at the hospital getting some blood work done before heading back to Anchorage for the next chemo treatment they did another x-ray on my dad's chest cavity and it had started to fill back up. Friday he went in to surgery to have a drain put in. They kept him for a couple days. I was concerned, so I bumped my flight up a week and arrived in Alaska on Monday (Justin will still join us for the holidays next week).
When I arrived on Monday, Dad was home with a tube (1/2" diameter) coming from under his right arm-pit to a container that was collecting the fluid that was draining from him. His eyes lit up when he saw me and Zaylee - as it was a surprise for me to visit early. My mom was overcome with tears when she saw us.
The past two days have been okay. My dad seems to be doing much better and is moving around slowly. He has to carry his breathing/draining machine around and after the x-ray yesterday they are estimating Thursday or Friday to remove the hose. He has been tired today and looking slightly pale but as always, in great spirits considering everything. His next MRI is in the last week of December. Then they will determine the status of the tumor in his pancreas.
These are tough times for all of my immediate family, and the holidays seem extra special this year.
Labels: woodward/rody family
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