How it's going

Several people have been asking how my Dad (and the rest of the family is doing). Thought an update was in order.

My Dad is losing his hair already. The other day he ran his hands through his hands, looked at me, held out his hands and said "want some hair". :D If you know my Dad you would know this is a good sign. He (like me) has a snarky sense of humor. Most days he is feeling pretty good. For the first few days after chemo (really the third through fifth days) he is exhausted, has a headache and is nauseous. The rest of the time he is more tired than anything else. He did well with the first round of chemo and his second round starts next Thursday. Today he went for an outpatient procedure to have a tube put into his chest to directly administer the chemo.

Mentally and emotionally he has had ups and downs but I think he is in a good place.

My Mom is doing well too. She is trying to balance life with cancer and regular life. It's been a transitional process and I am sure the transition is not yet complete. I know for her living with the uncertainty of whether the chemo will work and if it does will it reoccur later, is tough. That part is hard for all of us.

In terms of prognosis the statistics range. Some studies will say with Stage IV Diffuse B Cell NH Lymphoma you have as low as a 50% survival rate. MOST of the studies I have read put his chances of success much closer to 70-80%. He is younger than 60 which helps.

So for now we travel on. We are learning as a family what life with cancer and chemo is like. I am amazed by how much it transforms an entire family. Just keep those prayers coming! (And don't forget to pray for my cousin Blaise too!)