The "411"

Well I wanted to start off by saying thank you for everyone’s prayers, messages, phone calls, and support the past week. I cannot tell you how much my family, my dad especially, appreciates it.

Today we all went to the “big” appointment with Dr. Siever at The Arizona Pulmonary Specialists to go over the results of last weeks MRI and PET scan. They were able to get us in a day early which I think we were all thankful for, waiting for answers can get old! So here is the 411 (in as easy to understand language as possible):

As we knew last week, the bronchoscopy showed that there was cancer (specifically adenocarcinoma) in his left lung. There was no tumor blockage in the bronchial tubes, which is good news.

The MRI was clear! Even though they had trouble finding his brain during the MRI (haha), it was there and accounted for with no tumor cells.

The PET scan showed us a few things. First, that the tumor cells are very active in the hilum and root of the left lung (learn more about these areas here http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hilum_of_lung).  Second, the cancer cells have spread to two different places: the left adrenal gland and the lymph nodes ascending up his neck. It also showed that there is some fluid in the left lung that could be caused by a few things, but it is not likely to be caused by the cancer. Dad got a chest x-ray today to start monitoring the fluid and will get another one in a few weeks. The favorable part of the PET scan is that the cancer has not spread to the right lung, right adrenal gland, liver, or bones.

Since the cancer has spread (or metastasized, in medical terminology) to other places, it is stage 4 instead of stage 3 like they originally thought. Since it has spread, the FAA mandates that he be off work for THREE years! Lot’s of time for activities!

So our next step is to meet with Dr. Roberts who is a great oncologist, if not the best! Dr. Siever got us in really quickly so we will meet with him next Wednesday. My mom actually worked closely with him through both of her treatments and Dad has met him several times so we were all comforted knowing he would be Dad’s oncologist. Dad will definitely be going through both chemotherapy and radiation, most likely simultaneously.

The prognosis? We don’t know! Dad is strong (I mean, he is basically a body builder) and healthy which is good, but the doctor said there is no way to know how he will respond to treatments. The treatments for lung cancer are getting better and better every year and there are still SO many reasons to stay optimistic! Humor, a healthy diet, and staying active are going to be key…but he has that down pact, especially the humor part! On our way to the appointment Dad let me know he had worn his lucky shirt today. When we got in the car after the appointment, Dad laughed and said, “Well, I think I need a new lucky shirt!” We laughed a lot, but I still think the shirt is lucky…today could have always been worse!

Continue to keep my Dad in your thoughts and prayers and if you want to leave him a comment below, I know he would appreciate the positive encouragement! Here are some pictures from the last week:

 Kristen and Dad at the Scottsdale Wedding Walk

 Dad and I on our way to the doctor this morning

 There was such a large support team for Dad at the doctor today, they had to put us in a conference room! Side note...I think Dad should be the next McDonalds model, what do you think!?

 Dad got to reconnect with an old friend last week and she sent over this picture! This is my dad (with his mom and grandparents) getting commissioned into the Navy.