Status on Dad

So as many of you know Dad was just diagnosed with Prostate Cancer a few weeks ago.  According Helen that took Dad was told by doctors he is a stage 7.   Here is how stage 7 is described:

A low-risk score is 2 to 4. A low score means that the cancer tissue still looks similar to normal prostate tissue, and the tumor cells are less likely to spread. A score of 5 to 7 means moderate risk, while a score of 8 to 10 means higher risk. As the score gets higher, it means that the prostate cancer tissue becomes more and more different from normal tissue and that the tumor cells are more likely to spread. Most men with early-stage prostate cancer have a Gleason score of 5, 6, or 7.

So at this stage it is very treatable.  Dad doesn't feel anything different so he doesn't understand how something could be wrong without feeling symptoms.  Guess that's why so many men don't know they have this until it is caught by chance by a doctor or when the symptoms do show up and it's a lot worst to deal with and treat.  Thank God that it was found. 

Dad also had several as he calls them "OLD PEOPLE SPOTS" well they are not that, but indeed were skin cancer also.  The main one that has caused more unsettling is the very noticable knot in the top area of his chest near throat, that was removed and dug out the roots by doctor and had stitches removed this past Wednesday. 

I took him last Friday and had an MRI done to determine the exact location to where they then "tatooed" little dots to mark the spots so at each treatment he will have those spots treated and this eliminates error on the areas that need to radiated.  He will go for 45 days straight except weekends, and it is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. and last 20 minutes to a 1/2 hour.  This will avoid him from missing appts. so they keep it consistent.  Doctors say he shouldn't feel any side effects. This is also different from Chemo, where you loose hair and have awful side effects. So we are glad that doesn't happen. 

Yesterday 9/23 Dad started radiation for the prostate.  Maria took him and said he did good and didn't feel anything different.

Today 9/24 Daisy took him for his second treatment.

I do apologize if I've left some of this out. I want to be as accurate as possible....but I'm human!! OK! 
Thanks to all that have helped, keeping Dads stitches cleaned and changed dressing, Milta, Daisy, Helen and a few others have practiced their medical training on him.

Alright folks, now through this blog I will keep updates for you all.  You're more than welcome to submit comments and prayers so I will tell Dad about them.  This will keep his spirits up and even though we all know how Dad is that even if he worries he doesn't let on much. 

Also what is good with this blog is that I would like to have everyone share in taking Dad to his treatments, we all work and have other responsibilities but if we could give one, two or as many days as you are wanting to give to take him would be a blessing for Dad.   As I said this will be 45 days, and we all know days just fly by, but for Dad it probably will not seem that way and having someone with him will make that appt. so much faster, plus you get to spend a little time with Dad... and if you've never been to an appt. with Dad it's always interesting, especially when he watches people and of course comments on them.  By the time you get done it's late breakfast or early lunch time.  HINT!!

Maria has said she will go 9/29 & 9/30.  As you all decide what days you can go, please let me know so I can post them, or you can post it so others can see it.


This is a big entry since it is the first one to keep you all informed.  Take care have a good weekend, and many of you .... go to your doctors and get checked!!  Love y'all.............TAMMY