My Dad

So I talk about things it helps me to deal with things so I am going to write about my Dad. His name is Michael and he is not perfect by any means but he is and has been an amazing dad. In May of 2008 he was diagnosed with Lung Cancer. The lesion they found was quite small in fact 2mmx 2mm and it was pretty much localized to one area. They removed his upper left lobe and has not had any problems with his lungs since. His physician was Dr. Reed from Kingston Ontario and he was amazing. He had a team of many other physicians that managed his pain and all other side effects that occurred at that time. His follow up appointment showed no other invasion in the surrounding lymph tissues. At that time radiation or chemotherapy not was necessary. In May of the following year he started to have severe nausea and headaches. He started throwing up and becoming severely dizzy. After much prodding he went in and had a head CT. The results were a golf-ball sized tumor in parietal lobe. They got him in quickly and performed a craniotomy removing all of the tumor in his brain. They decided at that time he would need radiation on the left side of his head. His health has gone down ever since the radiation. Memory loss as well as confusion led them to perform an MRI of the head. Atrophy of the brain and low dopamine receptors led to the diagnosis of radiation induced Parkinsons. So here we are watching the man my family has loved and has relied on our whole lives waste away to someone he never wanted to become. Right before his craniotomy he said "I don't want to wear diapers or have someone take care of me" My dad is a rock and has pulled me through so much in my life and I know that all of my brothers and sisters feel the same way.

There is a beautiful side to this story, my mom, Irene has totally been there for him. People have asked her several times if she will put my dad in a convalescent center and her love for this man makes her mad at the very thought. She takes care of his every need and makes sure that he is comfortable. I have seen the changes in my mom and they have been inspiring and uplifting. She is one of my greatest examples and I love her with all of my heart.

In ten days I am headed home (brighton, Ontario) with my kids and I am not sure that I am tough enough to actually board the plane to return to Idaho Falls. They say whatever doesn't kill you helps you to grow strong, but holy cow I think this is pushing it.