Dad had his 16th RT today. We are almost at the half way mark. The tumor is getting softer and continues to drain. He has thrush and is bein treated for that. He's still on all the pain meds but overall he is doing very well.

Today he saw the cardiologist because the gastro team wanted the all clear from cardio to put the PEG tube in. Cardio feels like we must focus on the cancer now and worry about the heart later. I'll get more into that in a minute. As of the other day the RO said he would see how things are going in a week or so and determine if dad will need a PEG tube.

The visit with the cardiologist was interesting to say the least. It was a very frank discussion about dads condition. We were told that Dad was not expected to survive after the surgery. The cardiologist was amazed that he was still here fighting another round. He wanted to know how long dad had been given. We explained that the location of the tumor was inoperable but between the radiation and chemo the hope was to shrink the tumor and kill the cancer cells and that we were not given a time. We have never discussed with dad about what will happen if the treatments don't work. It's important to stay positive around him. Mom and I sometimes touch of the subject with each other, but I don't even go into my deepest, darkest fears with her.

I guess because of our response to his question Cardio spoke positively using "when" not "if", and said that when dad recovered from this second round and when he gained his strength back that we would then start to fix the heart. Cardio gave the blessing for the PEG tube if needed and when we left he shook dad's hand and said that he was the toughest man he had ever met.

Overall dad is doing as well as can be expected. He's been eating pretty good (for him) the last couple of days, in spite of having thrush and the sore mouth. He had the hiccups when I talked to him on the phone tonight. I let him know that was a side effect of the chemo. He's so glad that I can come out here and get information to pass along to him. He's gotten very forgetful which is upsetting to him. He's kind of unsteady on his feet now - before it's all over with we think he may need to be taken to treatment in a wheelchair so he doesn't fall. He sleeps a lot now. We may end up moving their bedroom downstairs so he doesn't have to climb any stairs.

I guess I could say for right now everything is ok, or as ok as it's going to be for someone in his situation. He said that today was a good day. For me, that's all that matters.

Hugs,

Joy