The C Word

 

Cancer.

My little brother has cancer.  It's a little surreal to write that.  We've known for a while that something was not right.  Paul had lost about 40 lbs in the last month or two... waiting on health insurance to kick in to get it checked out.  We found out Wednesday after he went to the doctor. 

Thursday we went for another appointment and the Dr. told us to go directly to UPenn Hospital downtown, do not pass go, do not collect 200$, and that he would be admitted to begin whatever process might be necessary to analyze and treat it.  I'll save you details, but Friday he had some pretty major surgery that left him with tubes coming out of everywhere and a fat bag of Morphine to manage the pain, which is constant at this point.

A week into it, this is what we know.  There is a tumor/tumors wrapped around his kidney that spread up to his lungs and is near his heart.  The doctors are pretty sure chemo will shrink it, but we all know that chemo is brutal.  He started it last night and it knocked him out.  He actually was able to sleep through the night for the first time in a week which was good.  He has a minor surgery today to help drain his kidney.  They are hoping they can salvage that kidney.  He will be in the hospital for another week or two through the first round of Chemo before he comes home.  He has been recieving great care.  The doctors at Penn are top notch and we feel good he is there. 

He is in a good amount of pain, but in pretty good spirits.  That dude is a fighter.  He told us not to be sad and mopey around him, so we are doing our best to stay positive and laugh when we are around him.  His email is paulieD526@yahoo.com if youd like to drop him a note of encouragement... or your best joke.  Thanks for your prayers.  He needs them during this time. 

Comments

[Nalene]

I'm sorry to hear this, Jim. We will certainly keep Paul in our prayers--as well as the rest of the family.

[SC Wheeler]

friend, I'm sorry to hear this. We'll be praying over here!

[Kristen Mitchell]

I am so sorry. We will be praying. We have a powerful God! My mom was diagnosed with stage 4 renal cell carcinoma 1.5 years ago and she is now clear. Her doctors are at UPenn as well. There are excellent specialists in our area, so Paul is in good hands.