July updates

Hello Everyone,

It has been a while since I posted medical updates here.  My dad has been stable with no medical emergencies happening.  Thank God!  He continues to be in a very positive mindset.  He wins over the hearts of new people he meets in Mississippi. The doctors have provided a hospice nurse that comes to my sister's house throughout the week.  The nurse gives him his medication, takes his vitals, bathes him among other things.  He is still very independent with many things like going to the bathroom, brushing teeth, going up the stairs to his bedroom and going down the stairs to the kitchen.  He really enjoys being in the garage, watching the neighbors pass by and getting sun.  In that same space he likes to watch the fifa soccer matches.  

Yvonne tagged him to the beach, dr appointments and fun activities.  This past Thursday they ran/walked a 5k!   Yvonne pushed him on the wheel chair.  He was so happy to be there.  It reminded him of his running days.  He doesn't get bored.  

The doctors did a whole body pet scan from head to toe to check for cancer.  They did not find any other tumors besides the one on his pancreas.   They did another test called CA 19-9 blood test that measures a tumor marker often linked to pancreatic or bile duct cancers. The standard normal range is 0 to 37 U/mL.  In February his range was high at 1,700.  Two weeks ago it was even higher at 15,000.  Which indicates that the cancer is in a very aggressive form.  The cancer may be in the fluids of his body.  He is not a candidate for surgery.  He previously had 2 rounds of chemotherapy but he got really sick.  They do not recommend more chemotherapy due to his continuous weight loss.  At this point doctors are recommending that he spend time doing what he likes to do like going to the beach, talking to family and friends and having an end of life plan so that we know his end of life wishes. These are heavy news for us as well as for you.  We thank you for your continued prayers.  He does not have a lot of pain.  He does feel uncomfortable pressure when the liquids in his belly fill up. The liquids are drained every 3-4 days.  This liquid forms due to the pancreatic cancer.  He knows everything that is happening.

We thank you all for thinking of him, sending him a meal, grocery card /financial gift, talking to him, asking about him, and praying for him.  God bless you all! - written with my dad's permission. Eli (Liz)