Elizabeth Edwards dies of Cancer at age 61. Seeing headlines like this makes me very sad. Rest in Peace and blessings toward the family. Though she lost her battle, I hope my Dad can find the strength to fight his even harder now.
He was supposed to have a procedure today called an endoscopy where they were going to take a scope with cameras down the esophagus to accurately stage it. The scope wouldn't fit past the tumor. They went ahead and had a surgical procedure which including placing the radiation balls where they could, inserting a breathing tube as there was a piece of dead tumor that was coming off as they were doing the scope. They were afraid it may break off and he as asperate it, so they removed it. I don't really understand "dead tumor" and all that entails. All of this stuff doesn't really make sense to me so I'm just relaying what I hear from the doctors.
They also discovered that the tumor is actuall 13cm large instead of the initially supposed 10cm. The cancer has spread to more lymph nodes and has in fact spread to the lining of the lungs. They are still going to continue with radiation and chemo. But, whether or not they can perform surgery after all the treatments are done is to be deteremined at that time.
Lord give us strength.
My Dad has been sleeping most of the day from the high amount of anesthetic given. I can tell he is scared though, as is my mom. We all have to be strong for each other.
And apparently the doctor said this is only 20-30% curable, which is hard for me to hear.
He has another appointment for Thursday to continue mapping him out for radiation, I believe. And then Tuesday they perform a bronchitis inspection and may insert a stint into his trachea to help him breath and also insert a tube into his esophagus to help him eat more than just liquids. He may be able to eat yogurts, pudding and baby food type products instead of just strictly liquids that poor.
Every time he has an appointment the game plan changes. I understand this is a complicated disease but don't understand how the different doctors find different things and the plan of attack changes. I guess the important thing is that it still is curable and they are still proceeding with radiation and chemo. Thank you all for your continued thoughts and prayers. My friend Carly sent us a a sweet card and some smoothie receipes for my Dad to try. It was the sweetest thing. He really enjoyed the Cherry Berry Smoothie. Thank you Carly! I don't know what I would do without this support from family and friends.
"God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble." Psalm 46:1
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