Amanda,

Your both in my prayers. Stay strong and positive.

Denise

Amanda,

How are you all doing? Did your dad start treatment? What are the treatment plans?

Hi Tom,

Thanks for following up.....I'm quite touched that you have been checking on us - you are a very thoughtful man.

Dad started his Tx on Monday. We got his results from his CT & chest xray. We are very optimistic - no nodal involvement, nothing on the chest xray etc. In fact, the tumor (retromolar - behind wisdom teeth) didn't even show up on the CT. His Ro explained that the tumor is just on the "surface" of his skin - no "icebergs" as he called it. His Tx will remain @ 25 x IMRT. We have accomplished alot this week, Dad's booked into the "lodge" near his hospital. He's only a 10 min. drive instead of the dreadful 3-4 commute from our home. Mom & I will visit him midweek and of course he'll come home on weekend. We have a plan now and it feels good. Dad's spirits are up and he is coping pretty well - made lots of friends in the lodge. I think about him and Mom every hour, they aren't used to being apart or alone (I live another hour away from their place). But we are coping even though we are apart. Mom will hopefully be able to stay in the lodge with him when he needs her with him - maybe after his second week. It's really expensive for her to stay, $60/night - but it's the least of our worries. We will act when the time comes and she knows that I can offer her all the support, financial & otherwise as needed.

Dad's RO said his cancer is 80-90% curable - very good news. We know it's going to be tough, but I am so happy this was caught so early. I have some questions about his treatment, so I'll start a new thread under the "treatment" category. Thanks again for checking in Tom.....you're a kind soul, you put a smile on my face just knowing how much this OCF family cares.

Amanda:

Your dads prognosis looks good. Luckily it has been caught very early so is highly cureable. Have you called the American Cancer society about getting some help? They may be able to help with transportation costs or medications, thats what they helped me with. (I dont know if its available in Canada) You may even ask at the center your father is being treated at. There could be something out there to make it so your mom can stay with your father. Best of luck to your family.

That is great news about your dad and that it was caught early. It is also great that he was able to stay near the hospital. The five weeks apart will be over before you know it. Having a treatment plan and starting it is also a relief. I remember how worried I was before treatment started. I had to stay two weeks in the hospital for my chemo treatment, 1st & 4th week 96 hour drips, and thought that was going to be a major problem because I have never stayed in a hospital before, but it turned out better than I thought. If he doesn't have a phone in his room or a cell phone, you may want to look into one of those pay per use cell phones, just so he know you and mom are only a phone call away.

There are a lot of caring and knowledgable people on this OCF forum. We are all in this together and we are here for each other. If we don't hear from you we come knocking!

Now that you all know there will be side effects and it may be a rough road, communicate with your doctors and keep us posted. We are all here to help. Keep the doctors posted about his pain. If or when he takes pain meds, make sure he takes a stool softner to prevent constipation. Keep the calories and nutrition up as it is important to his healing and recovery.

Amanda I just made it over to this thread (been behind in my reading) and I am so pleased to hear the great news about your dad's prognosis!! I too am very happy that he will be able to stay at the lodge and it's wonderful to hear he has made friends. Will he eat there - like a cafeteria style or does he have to go out on his own for meals? You are your mom sound like such wonderful people and I know your dad will be needing you a lot during this time.

Amanda,
How nice to hear that things are working out for your family in regards to the lodge. Hopefully your mother will find a way to be with your father. Even the treatment plan seems to indicate a good final result. I will have your family in mind for prayers that all goes well.
Malka