Mixed emotions

In Leah's facebook post last Friday she stated I would write on the blog that evening.  Here it is the following Tuesday and I'm just sitting down to write.  I had an CT of my abdomen a week ago last Friday as my first 6 month long checkup.  The results showed no cancer.  Other than a thickening of the Bronchial tube nothing was really noted in the report.  The PA at the Oncologist office didn't seem at all concerned with the Bronchial tube activity.  Since I still have to make a trip out there every 6-8 weeks for a port flush, I politely inquired about getting that taken out.  The PA asked when I last had treatment.  I told her it had been a year in May.  She stated they usually take them out around a year.  Since I was nearly at a year and a half it was definitely time.  She did confirm that if I needed treatment in the future they would be reinstalling one again.  I understood this and stated I would rather have it reinstalled later than hang onto it and visit every 6 weeks whether I had to or not.  I had the blood test taken for this procedure.  In the next couple of weeks they will call and schedule my port removal.

Sunday Leah had her 40th birthday.  Before leaving for church Leah received a call from her mom wishing her a happy birthday.  While she was on the phone her mom also told her that her Grandpa passed away that morning.  Leah's birthday wasn't exactly what either of us expected, regardless we were surrounded by family and friends.

Many of you know my Dad has Alzheimers.  In recent weeks he has had difficulty swallowing so he had been placed on a diet of Pureed food.  Saturday evening Leah and I went to visit him and he was sitting in his chair but had very labored breathing.  I talked with my Mom tonight (tuesday) again after many of the times this weekend.  She told me she was asked by Dad's facility to either put Dad on Hospice or they would send him to the hospital.  Since my Mom had Cataract surgery today she asked to push off the decision for one day.  Neither of us feel sending him to the hospital will be beneficial for his quality of life at this point.  So more than likely he will be put on Hospice care soon.  He was diagnosed with this disease 7 years ago and although I slowly prepared for this moment I'm not sure I'll ever be ready for the final goodbye.  

--Kent