Dad update

[canadiandaughter]

My dad has had two treatments of folfiri so far and is doing amazing! I went with him to his oncologist appt yesterday and he actually talked surgery. My dad has had a few very normal bowel movements so the doctor feels the chemo is working on the colon tumor and being dad has tolerated the chemo so well he has gone ahead and booked his catscan for after his 6 treatments. They give him a chart to fill each for each session and his is mostly filled with 0's meaning hardly any side effects. He has the odd 1 for diarhea but that is it. He is finding that he is tired which he finds annoying as he is so active. I just keep telling him it is not a sign of weakness, it is the chemo, but he is struggling with it. His blood levels have been great so the doctor feels he will tolerate all 6 treatments just fine. Its interesting how a month ago he wouldnt discuss surgery and now he is talking about surgery to remove liver and lung spots and then a few more chemo treatments then colon surgery. We felt this was very promising. THis oncologist is gone now and we already had a call to meet a new one on Monday after bloodwork. We are thinking it is just routine being he is new to my dads case, or at least hoping so being none of us kids can be at that appt. We have been seeing the oncologist on the week off chemo so this is odd being we just saw him yesterday and there was no blood work done or anything that might be new to tell us. My only speculation might be that they are changing his chemo being he is doing so well? Any thoughts? THis new doctor is the head of the clinic that we are going to and I am assuming would be busy, so hard to imagine and meeting just to say hello!

[pfCml73183]

Good news. I am glad your dad is doing well and being positive.
Don't be afraid to ask any questions to the medical staff while you are with them. There are no dumb questions. This way you don't have to speculate. They should be eager to answer any questions you ask. There is a lot thrown on you all at once and it can be confusing.
Best wishes to you and your dad, Celeste.

[singingholly]

What a relief some good news like this! Cheers!
Olivia

[elise]

YAY!!!

The apt, don't worry, it's so close that you'll have an answer soon

[canadiandaughter]

My only concern is that my parents won't be able to understand the new doctor. He is the head of oncology at our clinic but is African. My daughter works at the hospital and said he is an amazing doctor, knows his stuff but talks fast and has a very strong accent that the nurses sometimes have trouble. I'm hoping the nurse will go in with my parents to help if they have troubles. I told my mom to ask if they wanted some help. Its tough as I am 3 hours away and want to save my banked hours for down the road when things get rough, my sister is in the same boat, living almost 2 hours away and my daughter unfortunately is working day shifts on Monday. I am sure it will all work out and we are excited to have a new doctor who is so experienced. It's so hard with my folks being they are older and don't understand all the cancer lingo. I have read and read and am still in the dark about most of the stuff.

[canadiandaughter]

The appt went very well. He wants to book my dad in with the liver specialist now so that he is on board and also will likely add a new drug to his chemo but my mom can't recall the name

[andy21]

Great to hear the good news!

Also please try to find the best liver surgeon as possible. Someone who has done Liver transplants are the best possible candidates.