Prayers have been answered-My Dad is a cancer survivor!-1/28

[DaylilyDawn]

We are still praying for him here in Lakeland FL. But that is good news hearing that he had a great time at Universal .

[vbhoutex]

I'm so glad things continue to go as good as or maybe better than expected. I hope this trend continues. Still praying for a complete and fast recovery here in Houston.

[JonathanBelles]

Well...We're now 3 days after last chemo round. This chemo round hit harder than the last round did. He is much more tired than he was last time. His digestive tract has been hit hard as well on both ends. His taste as usual has been taken out of whack and his appetite is gone. Because of the diet he has been forced to eat (unless he wanted to eat plastic-tasting food) his feces has been diminished to diarrhea. I expect this chemo round to take a little longer than normal to recover from. I have an updated schedule for events for the up coming weeks. On august first he will have the surgery to put in the feeding tube for radiation. In about 3 weeks they will start radiation (no date set) 5 days a week for a minimum of 6 weeks, likely 7 or 8 weeks. Also, he will be receiving one very light chemo treatment a week. Sometime in either October or November all will be (hopefully) over. His diet for radiation will mostly consist of Ensure through the feeding tube. During radiation we will have a nurse and a dietitian coming out now and again to check on him. Until next time...

[DaylilyDawn]

My oldest son had to have the Ensure as his formula when he was a baby. One quart of it had a 1000 calories.
My son was born weighing only 3lbs 7 1/2 ozs at full term. He was born with kidney disease and it affected his ability to grow. At 6 months of age he only weighed 6 lbs and it had taken him 6 months to gain just 3 lbs on that formula. Today he is a 33 year old young man who weighs less than 100 lbs after having a kidney transplant in 2000.
If your dad can tolerate the Ensure he should not lose too much weight on it. Just don't let it sit and go bad before using it. When it went bad in one of my son's bottles, it would make me run for the bathroom to throw up, of course me being pregnant with his sister at the time could also account for that.

I will keep your father in my prayers.

[JonathanBelles]

Things are finally looking up tonight. Over the last day or two, my dad had another bought with Thrush, and that seems to be gone now. Taste seems to be returning for the last time. He actually asked to go out to Sonic for tomorrow! We are also planning on going to see the Dark Knight before my sister leaves next tuesday. Today he was cleared that he didnt have to take any more WBC shots, and that may be forever depending on how he fairs through radiation. I dont have any updates on the timing of everything yet.
Over all we are now on the last mid-treatment incline.

[dizzyfish]

Glad to hear things are looking up again!

Yummm Sonic nummies. Hope he enjoys.

Ya'll hang in there and please keep us posted.

[Stephanie]

That's great fact! I hope your Dad enjoys his Sonic!

[JonathanBelles]

Time for an update. I meant to do it over the weekend, but with fay I got too busy. Anyway, My dad had his first radiation and his first regular chemo yesterday. He will have radiation 5 days a week for at least 6 weeks. He will have regular chemo on Tuesdays until the radiation is over. The effects from the radiation ie. the throat soreness and later uselessness, feeding necessary by feeding tube...will begin in 1-3 weeks, and will last 1-6 months after the last radiation. Over the next week, things should be going down hill pretty quick. The chemo should only add to the fatigue, which he's gotten used to. Ill do the next update when things start changing.

[DaylilyDawn]

I still have your father in my prayers! Let him know the the Storm2k prayer warriors are on the job.

[tropicana]

Keeping your dad in my prayers, even on my holiday.

[vbhoutex]

Still sending those prayers in every night from Houston.

[JonathanBelles]

Well, things have begun to change, so its time for an update. Today was radiation #19/35, and he only has one chemo left. Up until about 3 days ago, he was eating regularly. His taste is mostly gone. He is still eating, but there have now been 2 days that he's had to use the feeding tube with the ensure. He throat cannot handle anything even remotely rough. My grandmother has brought over jello with fruit in it. He has been eating mostly fruits and vegetables. One of his meals is usually salad now. He is also on Gatorade for the electrolytes, yes gatorade, prescribed by the doctor. He says the electrolytes should help his throat from drying out, and should keep his muscles in his neck working. One other development is that he is now seeing a psycologist, for what may be PTSD. Ive never known his any different, but he is always throwing out bursts at random times, especially while driving. They also have to give him a drug to calm him down while in the radiation machine. About a week ago, he had a dream ans flew off the bed. The next morning he told us that he had been fighting and pulled away, and thats when he flew off the bed. Anyway, he has to go back to the psychologist in 6 weeks, for a possible diagnosis. He hates seeing the psychologist, but its best for him. The psychologist said the radiation may have enhanced the possible PTSD. Ill update when the radiation is over (Oct 9th) or when a new development occurs.

[DaylilyDawn]

Still keeping your father in my prayers

[JonathanBelles]

Time for an update with a relatively large development today. Today was my father's last chemo, and he only had 4 radiations left (due to break downs in the machine, the date has been moved back).

[Dionne]

Getting past the chemo is a big step!!!!! Congrats to your Dad. Here at The Hederman Cancer Center they have this big gong that patients get to hit with a stick....signaling chemo completion. You can hear cheers throughout the halls when someone completes.

[vbhoutex]

So glad he is through that part of the treatment!!! NOw through the radiation and on to total remission!!!!! Prayers continuing from Houston.

[JonathanBelles]

Sorry for the late update. but his last radiation was on Monday. He brought hope at graduation from treatment his mask, a bear, and his grad pop (which he couldnt eat, so he gave it to my mom). He's doing very well. His hair is coming back in, he is still driving and playing with his hot wheels. He is almost 100% on ensure though the feeding tube and water still. All in all, things are on their way back up now.

[tropicana]

YAY i knew with prayer and with faith, everything will be ok.
I just knew it.

-justin-

[JonathanBelles]

Just a short update since I dont have the time to make a long update at the moment. Today, the doctor yanked the feeding tube out of my dad. My dad has been eating solid foods for a few days now, so the doctor thought it was about time. One final step has been overcome.

[DaylilyDawn]

I am so glad that he is getting better!